Chapter 40

Yasmin was shocked by this. She lowered her head and greeted, “Grandpa.”

“What did you say to Roxy? Why did she blanch at your words?” Arthur asked.

She hadn’t expected him to overhear every word of their conversation downstairs. She said,

“Nothing much. We just had a small argument.”

She thought he wanted to tell her off for daring to teach his precious granddaughter a lesson. To her

surprise, Arthur nodded approvingly. “You did the right thing, Yasmin.”

Yasmin was stunned. She looked up at him. Arthur smiled and said, “Roxy’s parents have spoiled

her rotten, so she’s always been obnoxious and precocious. It’s good for her to have someone like

you to take her down a notch or two. This way, she won’t dare to step a toe out of line anymore.”

Yasmin’s heart settled back in her chest at his words. She hadn’t expected Arthur to be so

understanding. It had been two years since she’d married Blake. Though Arthur had always been

nice to her, he’d never spoken to her privately like this. This was actually their first proper

conversation.

“As the lady of the Ford family, Yasmin, you shouldn’t be so soft toward others. Retaliate when you

need to. You can’t be too down–to–earth,” Arthur continued.

Yasmin’s lips twitched. “Are you telling me to retaliate against your family, Grandpa?”

“We’re all family here. It’s fine as long as you don’t take anyone’s life.” Arthur stroked his beard.

“You need to understand one thing–when trying to survive in an affluent family, being weak will only

make you fall prey to those stronger than you.

“If you want to become more powerful, you have no choice but to make yourself more forceful and

dominant. If you’re too dependent on someone, you’ll be left high and dry if the person you rely on

disappears one day. You’re 22 this year, Yasmin. It’s time for you to understand these things.”

Arthur hadn’t spoken to Yasmin about this in the past because he felt she was still young. But now

that Giselle was bold enough to

read rumors everywhere and even make headlines because of Blake, Arthur thought it was high

time for Yasmin to become stronger.

Yasmin looked at him dazedly. “Why are you telling me these things, Grandpa?”

“Because in my heart, you’re a much better fit for the position of Blake’s wife.” It was also why

Arthur had agreed to let Yasmin marry Blake two years ago. Everyone said she was in it

‘Are you fantasizing about Blake?” Roxy was back. She lost her appetite when she saw the

leftovers on the table. So, she stood by the table and spoke to Yasmin sarcastically.

Now that everyone was gone, Yasmin rolled her eyes in response. “Stop trying to cause trouble

where it’s not needed, Roxy.”

“I’m just trying to talk some sense into you. If you knew what was good for you, you’d leave Blake

alone. Now that Giselle’s pregnant, I’m sure it won’t take long for her to move into Ford Residence.

When the time comes, she’ll be the actual lady of the household. And you will have to get the hell

out of here.”

Yasmin didn’t respond. Roxy thought she was scared and continued, “I’m giving you some advice,

Yasmin. Don’t get on my bad side. Otherwise, I’ll settle the score with you–old and new–when

you’ve been kicked to the curb.

“Don’t forget that I’m the daughter of the Ford family. It would do you good to be more obedient

when around me. Otherwise…”

“What?” Yasmin looked up at her.

“Otherwise, I’ll make you pay the price for your disrespect!” Roxy said haughtily.

“I

Yasmin smiled and walked over to her, stopping when she was beside Roxy. She whispered, Do

you know what I saw on your table when I went to your room last month to get a coat for you?”

Roxy seemed to think of something. She jolted and asked diffidently, “What was it?”

46

”

“I saw a medical chit for an abortion, and your name was indicated for the patient’s name. Yasmin

hadn’t wanted to say anything about it when she saw the medical chit last month. It was too bad

Roxy insisted on provoking her time and time again. She had no choice but to step up to the fight.

The blood drained from Roxy’s face at her words. She glared daggers at Yasmin, wanting nothing

more than to rip her throat out. “I won’t let you off the hook if you have the nerve to tell anyone

about that.”

Yasmin said coolly, “As long as you stop trying to provoke me, there will only be peace and

harmony between us.”

Roxy was so mad that she stomped her foot. Yasmin ignored her and headed upstairs. When she

got there, she saw Arthur holding onto his walking cane while standing in the middle of the stairs

and looking at her meaningfully.

for the money, but he could tell she was naïve and guileless.

Someone with her personality could be groomed into someone who was smart and gentle. She was

much better than other women who grew up with schemes and trickery.

Yasmin didn’t expect Arthur to have such a good impression of her. She was surprised. Arthur

continued, “Annalise’s personality has become a little twisted since falling sick. You don’t have to

take her words to heart. Just let her rant, then let it go.”

“I understand.” Yasmin nodded. Indeed, Annalise had gotten obsessed with having a grandchild

since falling sick. She would occasionally have people send herbs to her, saying that they would

increase her chances of getting pregnant.

“Mr. Ford Senior, it’s time for you to take your medication.” A maid came upstairs with Arthur’s

medication.

Arthur waved at Yasmin. “You can go back to your room, Yasmin. I have to take my medication

now.”

h

“Okay.” Yasmin saw him off. After that, she returned to her and Blake’s bedroom. When they were

newlyweds, they’d stayed at Ford Residence for a month.

When she was at the door, she heard Blake talking to Annalise. “From now on, stop ordering her

around and telling her to do the things that the maids should be doing.”

At his words, Annalise took in his poker face. “Be honest with me, Blake. What are your genuine

thoughts on Yasmin? If you do have feelings for her, get her pregnant and make my wish come

true. But if you’re truly scornful of her, give her some money and get divorced.

“I know you were upset with Stuart Starr for forcing you into marrying Yasmin two years ago. After

all, he threatened you with the company’s trade secrets. I wasn’t happy about it, either. If not for

Arthur liking her, I wouldn’t even have spent a second in her company.”