After that, Naomi went straight back to the ward without waiting for Culver to answer her.
She pushed open the door, only to find that Emma and Nelson were behind it. Apparently, they were peeking just then.
Naomi seemed to have known what they were doing. She calmly pushed Nelson back to the sickbed.
âLie down!â
Then, she began to speak in an apathetic tone.
âIâve just asked the doctor, and he told me that youâll be discharged tomorrow. Besides, I have already entrusted the company to the bank. They will evaluate it and calculate the final amount that needs to be compensated, then I will transfer the money directly later. Iâve also got the tickets to return to Rosaville City. Weâll go back tomorrow!â
Nelson was astounded, âWeâre going back all of a sudden?â
âIâve just called Uncle Clint to ask about your illness. He says that he has contacted many foreign and local experts. All of them will arrive at Rosaville City tomorrow too. After all, itâs more convenient to treat your illness in our hometown.â
âWhat? Thereâs no need to treat my illness. I-â
âShut up! Itâs fine if you donât want to, but Iâll still do so myself. Youâll be here alone!â
Nelson was rendered speechless.
He exchanged a look with Emma, mouthing, âWhatâs happening?â
Emma shook her head, âI donât know either.â
â¦
Outside the ward, Culver received a call from Aaron.
âPresident, bad news! After you left the company, the stock price, which had already stabilized, suddenly dropped again. Moreover, public opinion has turned against us. What should we do?â
âArenât the two Chairmen still there?â
âMr. Norman has fallen sick out of rage whereas Madam Marilyn is in a panic. Youâd better come back as soon as possible!â
Culver looked at the ward before he let out a deep breath.
Then, he said, âI wonât go back. Listen to me, do as I sayâ¦â
Aaron wrote down all of his orders. After hanging up on the call, Norman, who was supposed to be sick, and Marilyn, who claimed to be in a panic, both came over.
âHow is it? Is he coming back?â
Shaking his head, Aaron said, âNo, but he has told me what to do. Now, if youâll excuse me, Iâm going to follow his instructions to tackle the affairs.â
Marilyn said angrily, âHe has never been so disobedient. He must have been bewitched by that woman! I-â
âQuit complaining! Youâre giving me a headache. Why donât we just let Culver marry her? In fact, with the wealth and status that we possess, we donât necessarily need a marriage of state.â
âWhat?! Allowing Culver to marry her would mean that we have admitted defeat! Sheâll ask for more once sheâs a part of the Olsen family. Weâll be ruined by her!â
Norman furrowed his brows as he said, âYour words make sense, but what should we do now? The company was handed over to him many years ago. Now, the employees wonât listen to me anymore. Our company will be in ruins this time.â
Marilyn gnashed her teeth and said, âI will go and meet that woman tomorrow morning. I must drive her out of Greene City!â
â¦
In the morning of the next day, as soon as Naomi arrived at the entrance of the hospital, she saw Marilyn waiting for her.
She told Emma, âGo in first.â
Since they were in a public space, Marilyn was still showing some courtesy.
âLetâs talk in my car!â
Naomi looked at her watch as she insisted, âNo, weâll talk right here!â
Although Marilyn was extremely unhappy, she still handed over a suitcase to Naomi.
âThis is one million dollars. Leave Greene City and donât ever come back!â
Naomi glanced at the black suitcase and looked away.
âI donât need that.â
Then, Marilyn reproached in a low voice, âIs this too little for you? Naomi, donât go too far! This amount is definitely substantial for a poor person like you. With this money, you donât have to worry about food and clothing no matter where you go.â
Naomi took a deep breath.
She thought that everyone from the rich and powerful families were as enlightened as her family members, and that their mothers were as lovely as hers. Perhaps it was because she had been spending so much time with her parents since she was a child.
However, Culverâs mother made her realize that she had been too idealistic. It turned out that those so-called noble ladies from many wealthy families could be termagants too.
âI said thereâs no need for that!â Naomi was quite impatient. If it wasnât for the fact that Marilyn was Culverâs mother, Naomi would have already left.
âNaomi, donât force me to resort to the carrot and stick approach with you! I know that you refuse to take my money because you want to get more, and youâre hoping to marry Culver, am I right? Youâre fantasizing about leading a rich life in the Olsen family, arenât you? Well, over my dead body!â
âEnough!â Naomi gritted her teeth in anger.
âFirst, I said thereâs no need for the money, and I meant it.â
âSecond, Iâve never said that I want to marry Culver. Donât flatter yourself!â
âThird-â
Naomi paused abruptly. She hadnât thought of the third point yet.
Unexpectedly, a loud voice could be heard just in time, saying, âThird, we, the Granger family, have plenty of money. We donât need any from other people.â
To Naomiâs surprise, Clint, Harley and Christopher had all arrived.
âAre you okay?â Harley sized Naomi up and said, âYour parents are still unaware of the situation here, so I came with Clint.â
âUncle Harley, Uncle Clint and Uncle Christopher, you all are here! Didnât we agree that Iâd go back by myself?â
âDo you still want to conceal such a big matter from us? If we hadnât come, some idiot would think that Tyler Holtâs granddaughter is someone to be trifled with.â
Their presence confounded Marilyn.
âWho are you? Iâm talking to her. Why are you interrupting us all of a sudden?â
âYou must be Culverâs mother. As far as I can recall, when the Holt family was still here many years ago, the Olsen family was only ranked third. Now that youâve achieved some accomplishments, youâre starting to get cocky, arenât you?â
Marilyn thought about Tyler Holt, who had just been mentioned by them, and she couldnât help but be a little suspicious.
âWhatâs your relationship with Tyler Holt?â
âThe one who stands in front of you is Mr. Holtâs granddaughter, Miss Naomi!â
Marilyn rejoined righteously, âNonsense! Mr. Holtâs daughter was married to the head of the Granger family in Rosaville City, and Naomiâs last name is George!â
Harley stroked his chin while saying, âFor your information, Mr. Holtâs daughter has the last name George, too.â
Marilyn was startled. It seemed that Mr. Holtâs daughter indeed had the last name George. However, she wouldnât believe him so easily.
âDo you have any evidence? How dare you bluff me!â
âItâs okay, you will believe me soon.â
As soon as he finished speaking, Marilyn received a phone call from Norman. He said, âIâve been notified that there will be a few representatives of the Granger family coming to Greene City today. They hope that we will be there to greet them. Iâve sent their photos to you. You should quickly print them out and show them to all the servants. Make sure they donât make any mistakes when our guests come.â
Marilyn immediately checked the photos sent by Norman.
The people shown in the photos turned out to be the ones in front of her, including Naomi.
Doubtlessly, she had gotten herself into serious trouble.
The Olsen family was indeed the most powerful family in Greene City. However, Tylerâs influence was still present, and even the Granger family and the Gellert family were working together.
Such a situation filled her with horror.
She stammered, âYou, you-â