âAlright, alright.â Grace felt very content. âIâve got to tell you a little secret. Come closer.
Maybe she was worried about eavesdroppers.
Grace waited until she leaned in closer, then whispered, âIâve already left my will in the vault. If something happens to me, all my shares, savings, house, and car are all yours.â
âGranny, I canât accept this.â Arabella started to refuse.
Grace waved her hand, signaling her to stop talking, and whispered, âHear me out. Attlee is too easily influenced; he always listens to Olga, and Olga doesnât like you. They canât do business for nuts; if they get their hands on my assets, theyâll blow it all.â
That was indeed true. Attlee and Olga were awful at business.
âBut you have the knack, so Iâm willing to leave everything to you. Plus, all these years, Iâve considered you my own granddaughter. No matter whose kid you are, youâll always be my favorite and most promising granddaughter!â
Hearing this, Arabella felt a lump in her throat.
âLet me add, Olga and the others always pick on you, so when you get the shares, either cash it in or straight up kick them out of the company. Donât let them squander the Murphy familyâs wealth. In short, donât let them walk all over you!â
Arabella couldnât believe Grace had even thought of strategies for her, she felt more affected. âBut thatâs yours; that belongs to the Murphy family; I canât take it.â âYou wonât take it? Then Iâd rather donate it than give it to them.â
Arabella fell silent again, knowing how much Attlee and Olgaâs actions had hurt Grace over the years!
Grace would never leave her estate to them.
She said all this with a loving smile on her face: âI wonder which lucky lad will end up marrying my wonderful granddaughter.â
Arabella suddenly remembered something and took a gift box, out of her bag, saying, âOh yeah, your birthday is coming up in a couple of days. Happy early birthday.â
Grace was thrilled. She didnât think Arabella would remember her birthday.
She opened the box to find a beautiful flower ornament. Theiflower, made of premium gemstones, looked so lifelike that it was a feast for the eyes. At the end of the stem, a gentle touch would play music.
She took one look and quickly said, âThis mustâve cost a fortune; itâs too extravagant.â
âNot too expensive.â
In truth, it was a birthday gift from Grandpa Alberto, but Arabella, didnât say it, she only said, âTouch here, and itâll play music.â
Grace was overjoyed: âNow when Iâm bored, I can listen to some melodies.â
I was a custom ornament with hundreds of uplifting piano songs.
âThere are two more gifts.â These two were actually from Arabella.
Grace was surprised and delighted. âMore?â
âThis is a seniorâfriendly phone.â Arabella had set it up for her; the apps were straightforward and easy to use: âTap here to contact me.â
âThis is great! This is great!â Grace was missing something to keep in touch with Arabella. âIâve got to hide this so Olga and the others donât find it.â
âThereâs also a bracelet; it suits you well.â
It was a piece of premium gemstone. Arabella thought it matched Graceâs temperament perfectly. She picked it out herself, designed it, and had it made into this bracelet. Its value exceeded that of the bracelet she gave before.
âArabella, youâre such a good kid.â Grace was moved to tears: âI love it; help me put it on!â