457 Charlieâs Request
Isabella lowered her eyes. âI heard that Liliana was very kind and amiable. She never put on airs. She liked to read and write, and she was aloof from worldly affairs... It must be rare for her to get into a quarrel with a man. I believe that there was a lot of pressure at that time.â
âYes...â
Charlie shook his head, lost in his memories, âI was not in good health. Ever since Harvey passed away due to illness, Liliana took care of the Wilson family. She had two young children and needed to deal with the companyâs affairs by herself... One can become a little sensitive and neurotic under huge pressure. Angelina once said that when Liliana was in a bad mood, she would go to the cemetery alone and talk to Harvey. I think that day, she went out alone to visit Harvey...â
Isabellaâs eyes darkened. âAnd then she never came back?â
âYes.â
Charlie said in pain, âSo Joseph believed that Michael partly caused Lilianaâs death. He hated Michael and his family, including your two cousins.â
Charlie shook his head. âActually, Andrew and Andy are innocent. When the accident happened, they were so young. Even if it was their fatherâs fault, how could Joseph blame the children? Isabella...â
Charlie looked at Isabella with teary eyes. âFor me, they are all my grandsons. I donât want to see them like this...â
Isabella nodded in understanding. She thought for a moment and held Charlieâs hand. âDo you want me to change Josephâs mind?â
.....
Charlieâs lit up with a shred of hope. âCan you? I know they canât be as intimate as other brothers... I just hope, at festivals, we can have a meal together. Not like today. When Andy looked at me expectedly, my heart was aching! Now that Joseph only listens to you, I believe that you can help him dissolve the hatred in his heart. This is not only good for Andrew and Andy, but also for Joseph!â
Isabella looked at Charlieâs weathered face and thought that even the founder of the Wilson clan had such a weak and helpless side. She thought about it and then said with a bright smile, âI know, grandpa, leave this matter to me! You take care of me all the time, let me solve your problem this time!â
Charlie was so excited that his eyes started to water. He said excitedly, âIsabella, are you confident?â
âIâll give it a try! Joseph is not as heartless as he looks!â
There was a knock on the door.
Before Charlie could speak, the door was pushed open and Joseph walked in.
He first glanced at Isabella, and then, he looked at Charlie vigilantly and asked, âGrandpa, why do you want Isabella here?â
Isabella smiled and stood up. She walked over to wrap her arms around Josephâs and said sweetly, âNothing. Grandpa has secretly hidden some snacks for me. He would not give you!â
Joseph saw that Isabella had not been challenged by Charlie. He sighed in relief and pinched her nose. âThatâs right. You are grandpaâs favorite now. He loves you more than me.â
Charlie immediately bantered, âIsabella is cuter and funnier than you. I indeed prefer her. By the way, why did you come in so aggressively? Did I ask you to come in? Why, are you afraid that I would hurt Isabella behind your back? Am I so bad and stubborn that I would humiliate my granddaughter-in-law?â
Joseph said calmly, âNo, Iâm just afraid that you may take a fancy to Isabella. As your grandson, I would have to give in.â
Charlie was stunned. He immediately stood up from his seat and angrily hit Joseph with his cane. âBrat, what are you talking about? Am I so shameless in your opinion?â
âIt would be best if you are not. Otherwise, I would be unfilial.â
Joseph laughed slyly as he dodged Charlieâs walking stick. Then, he pulled Isabella along and went upstairs. Isabella laughed so hard that he leaned back and gave Joseph a hard slap. âYou should never bully grandpa again!â
âExcept when I am in a good mood.â Joseph pressed Isabella onto the cabinet beside her and kissed her. âI am usually a very obedient grandson. You know, come, give me a kiss.â
Isabella immediately hung on Joseph like an octopus, kissing him hard.
After a long time, Joseph released Isabella and rubbed her red and swollen lips with his finger. âDarling, tell me, what did grandpa talk with you?â
Isabella was stunned and hurriedly said, âItâs nothing. He just asked me to help him back to his room and make him tea.â
Joseph stroked Isabellaâs lips. âYou canât look straight in my eyes.â
Isabella blushed and quickly changed the topic. âAre you afraid that he will question me about John, so you rushed in to help me out? In fact, you acted too well just now. Grandpa didnât doubt you at all!â
Joseph stopped moving and looked at Isabella sternly. âAre you sure you want to lie to me?â
Isabella was like a child who had done something wrong. She slowly lowered her head. âWell, actually grandpa just lamented that you have a bad relationship with Andrew and Andy...â
Josephâs tone immediately turned cold. âSo he wants you to be a lobbyist to turn my mind? He wants me to treat them nicely?â
Isabella carefully looked at the expression on Josephâs face. She didnât expect Joseph to have such a fierce reaction. She whispered, âI donât think so. Grandpa just hopes that we can be a little more harmonious, he longs for a family reunion... I donât think itâs too much.â
Joseph was silent for a while. He released Isabella and turned to the cloakroom. âThereâs no room for discussion on this matter. Donât interfere anymore. You met their family that night. They cannot be trusted...â
After a pause, he said, âWe are destined to be enemies. It is impossible for us to be harmonious. So, you should stop wasting your energy.â
Isabella caught up with Joseph. âBut Andrew and Andy are innocent. They did not stand on the side of their parents and quarrel with you. Moreover, they just said that they like you and worship you!â
Joseph said directly, âSo I let them in just now and was very polite to them, didnât I? What else do you want? To see them as my family?â