Chapter 271

Ronald and Walter turned to James with puzzled expressions, both exclaiming, “Where did you get a granddaughter from?”

They had just been skeptical, but now it was confirmed that this old man was definitely losing his mind. They thought, ‘With only Michael as his grandson, where could a granddaughter come from?‘ Ronald said nothing and headed into the house, leaving the other two baffled. They thought, ‘Is there someone else who’s lost their mind?‘

Jase called out to Ronald, who was about to head inside with his cane. “What are you up to now?”

Ronald stopped in his tracks at the words. “No way, I need to get a psychologist for this old fool. His mind is definitely not right.

Poor old friend, he’s been burning the midnight oil in the lab, and now he’s completely lost it.”

James was furious upon hearing this, jumping to his feet to rebut, his voice strong. “The granddaughter I’m talking about is my newly recognized god–granddaughter. What are you three old fools thinking?”

The three old men were left speechless, wondering why this guy, at his age, was still getting into the business of recognizing relatives.

Ronald turned back, scrutinizing James with doubt etched on his face. “Are you sure you’re not the one with mental issues?”

James’s face turned red with anger as he repeatedly insisted that he was perfectly fine. The scene was quite comical–three men looked on, their expressions a mix of confusion and skepticism, watching as he passionately defended his sanity.

Yusef stood at the doorway, his eyes twitching. He couldn’t shake the feeling that this scene made all four of these high- ranking elders look a bit unhinged.

Jase raised his head and asked James, “What made you think of adopting a granddaughter? Are you trying to find a wife for Michael?”

This was the only reason Jase could think of; James was a man of high social standing, and anyone he acknowledged as a granddaughter would certainly rise to prominence. He wasn’t the type to act irrationally, after all.

James paused, a crack of surprise forming on his face as he looked at Jase, a bemused smile playing on his lips. “Oh, I wish But she’s already got a boyfriend. The problem is, her boyfriend’s grandfather is incredibly annoying. In his youth, he used his looks to charm other people’s wives, and now he still steals people’s companions. So annoying, yet he’s completely oblivious. What a shame for my granddaughter.”

Jase felt a strange unease at James’s words, sensing something off. The way James looked at him made him wonder if there was a hidden meaning behind those comments. He thought, ‘Is he subtly criticizing me?‘ The thought lingered in Jase’s mind, making him more cautious about their conversation.

Ronald and Walter didn’t overthink it; they figured if James wanted to acknowledge a granddaughter, she must be a good person. After all, with James’s standards, anyone he chose to recognize would have to be exceptional.

Ronald said, “Alright, when your granddaughter comes, I’ll definitely prepare a grand gift for her. You can count on it.”

Walter also said, “I’ll get ready too, ensuring it’s something you’ll be pleased with.”

Only Jase was left to respond, and just as he was about to say he’d prepare a gift too, James interrupted, “You don’t need to bother.”

Jase was taken aback again; it was unusual for James not to try to get something from him. He thought, ‘Has he grown a conscience?‘

James mumbled, “Anyway, when you’re gone, everything will go to my granddaughter.”

However, Jase, Ronald, and Walter missed it. Only Yusef heard, and he couldn’t help but chuckle. Only these old men would dare to say such things. While he didn’t fully understand, he kept quiet. It seemed that James had truly gone a bit loopy from all the time spent in the lab, rambling nonsensically. He thought, ‘Even if Jase loses everything, the inheritance still belongs to the grandson; it has nothing to do with James’s newly recognized granddaughter.

As he was leaving, James turned back and fixed his gaze on Ronald and Walter without saying a word. They were both startled;

having those old eyes staring at them in broad daylight was unsettling, to say the least. Given that James was clearly not in his right mind, they couldn’t hold it against him.

Walter couldn’t take it any longer and finally asked, “You old coot, if you have something to say, just say it. Why are you staring at us like that?”

Ronald nodded, “Yeah, if something’s up, let us know. Don’t just stare like that, it’s creepy in broad daylight.”

James thought for a couple of minutes before speaking. “The gift you two are preparing for my granddaughter needs to be nicer and more expensive, understand?”

Walter and Ronald paused for a moment. They seemed a bit hesitant. “Isn’t that not quite right? Jeremiah’s girlfriend is supposed to be the future matriarch of the Chavez family. If we make the gift for your adopted granddaughter better, wouldn’t her girlfriend be upset?”

James snorted and confidently assured, “No, don’t worry about it.”

Ronald and Walter wanted to discuss the matter further. James’s expression fell again; these two were truly impossible to deal with. It was just a gift, yet they were making such a big deal out of it. Not wanting to provoke James any further, they quickly nodded in agreement, “Alright, alright, no problem. It’ll definitely be a valuable one, you can count on that.”

James finally looked satisfied, his mood lifting. “They’ll come on the same day. Ronald, you prepare that blue–and–white porcelain. As for you, Walter, the emerald screen will do; my granddaughter isn’t picky.” With that, he waved his hand and left, looking quite carefree.

Ronald and Walter exchanged glances, realizing how outrageous James was being. They thought, ‘And this isn’t being picky?”

The blue–and–white porcelain had cost Ronald 30 million dollars, and the emerald screen was a family heirloom of Walter’s. Just this request alone felt like it was going to break their backs. To make matters worse, James expected the two girls to come on the same day. They thought, ‘Isn’t this asking for trouble? These two old men can’t stand a day without bickering. Do they really have to come together for this?‘ This simple act of giving had turned into a major headache for them.

Ronald gritted his teeth and pulled out his phone. “Son, find me the best psychologist you can.”

Walter thought for a moment and also took out his phone. “Sweetheart, find me a spot in a mental health care home just in case.”

Outside the National Physics Lab. When James arrived, Yvette was sitting on the curb under a small tree, Sipping a milkshake.

James couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at his granddaughter’s casual posture. She was a great girl, but her occasional rough–

and–tumble demeanor was truly exasperating. He shook his head and hurried over, his steps surprisingly steady for someone his age.

“How long have you been here, Yvette?” Before he even arrived, his voice called out from afar.

Yvette stood up, brushing off the leaves that clung to her clothes before tossing her empty cup into a nearby trash can. As she looked at James approaching, the dappled light made her striking features even more captivating. She raised an eyebrow, her voice cool, adding a hint of chill to the hot summer day. “Only just arrived two minutes ago.”

James walked up and glanced at the milkshake in the trash can. With a concerned tone, he said, “Girls should drink less milkshake. If you like it, I can have the housekeeper make it for you. This stuff has additives, and it’s not good for your health.”

Yvette nodded, “The homemade ones aren’t as tasty as the store–bought ones, and they lack additives.”