Chapter 20: Grandpa Wants To Meet Her Husband

Back in Justin’s study.

Noah approached the desk with a file in hand. "Mr. Harper, the designer we selected for your new home, has agreed to take on the project," he informed, placing the file on Justin’s desk. "And here is the information about Mrs. Caryn Ford."

Justin, who had been standing by the window, gazing out thoughtfully, instructed. "Read it."

Noah opened the file and began, "According to the investigation, Mrs. Caryn Ford grew up in an orphanage in Bayford City. She was smart and ambitious since young. After leaving the orphanage as an adult, she studied at Bayford Business Management University."

Noah paused, clearing his throat awkwardly before continuing. "She was in the same class as your father, Mr. James Harper, and they were reportedly good friends—both were well-known and top students during their time there. After graduating, Mrs. Ford worked several jobs before starting her own business. She quickly became one of the young, emerging businesswoman of her time, gaining considerable fame.

"There were also rumors of a romantic relationship between her and Mr. James Harper. However, a scandal emerged involving her spending a night in the hotel room with Jay Ford. The details of what happened remain unclear, but shortly afterward, she left everything she had built in Bayford City and moved to Imperial City, where she eventually married Jay Ford."

Justin listened in silence, his expression unreadable as Noah finished the report. The room grew quiet as Noah waited for his reaction.

His father, James Harper, had never married, which suggested that he must have deeply loved Caryn Ford but had also been hurt by her. It was hard to believe the cold, quiet and highly unapproachable man like James could fall so deeply for someone.

"What happened to her business in Bayford City?" Justin asked, feeling curious about this woman who had once snagged his father’s heart.

"She handed it over to the current owner—a family that looked after her when she left the orphanage," Noah replied. "It’s a mid-cap company that’s still doing well, though it stays out of the limelight."

"Get me details about that family," Justin instructed, his tone firm. "And also look into any information regarding Caryn Ford’s origins."

"Yes, Mr. Harper." Noah understood that his boss didn’t want to overlook anything if there was a conspiracy going on that involved him and Natalie, possibly rooted in Caryn and James’s past relationship.

"Mr. Harper, Ms. Natalie hasn’t returned my calls," Noah informed.

"She hasn’t blocked you yet," Justin commented as he returned to his chair, "she will come to us sooner or later. Keep calling her once in a while to give her a leverage to come to us without hesitation."

Noah could only trust his boss’s confidence. He waited till how long Natalie would take to show up.

----

The next day, Natalie received a call informing her that her grandfather was awake and wished to see her. Without wasting a moment, she hurried to the hospital. As she entered the room, she saw her grandfather sitting up in bed, his back comfortably supported by the elevated mattress.

"Grandpa," her voice soft, eyes moist as she called him.

The old man turned to look at her, the wrinkles around his eyes deepened as he smiled warmly. "Finally, you decided to visit your old grandpa?" His voice was weak and a bit hoarse, a sign of his frail condition.

Feeling guilty, Natalie walked over to the bed, "I’m sorry, Grandpa."

"No need to apologize. Come, sit here," he gestured to the chair beside him.

Natalie sat down, concern etched on her face. "How are you feeling, Grandpa? I’m so sorry for making you worry and causing you to get sick again."

"I didn’t call you here to apologize," her grandfather replied gently. "I was indeed shocked by what happened, but you weren’t the cause of my condition. I called you here because I want to hear everything directly from you. Is everything about the wedding true?"

Natalie lowered her head, shame washing over her. "Yes, Grandpa." Her heart began to race, anticipating the inevitable questions she had no answers for.

"If you loved someone else and married him, I won’t blame you for anything," her grandfather’s voice kind. "As long as you’re happy, you’ll have my blessing."

Natalie raised her head, her eyes teary. Even now her grandpa didn’t blame her but wished for her happiness. "Grandpa, I am sorry." Her voice trembled with heavy emotions.

"You should be sorry for keeping me out of such an important decision in your life. I don’t even know who you married."

Tears rolled down her eyes and she felt like an idiot for not knowing how it happened with her.

Her grandfather extended his hand, tenderly wiping away her tears. "Okay, don’t cry. I’m not scolding you. But if you truly feel sorry for everything, then you should bring your husband to meet me."

What she had feared most was finally happening. "Grandpa..."

"I don’t object to your marriage. All I want is to see that you’ve married a good man. Only then can I die in peace. You never know when I might take my last breath."

She held his weak, wrinkled hand tightly. "Grandpa, don’t say that."

"Natalie," he continued softly, "I know you’ve suffered a lot, and I was too powerless to protect you. But before I go, I want to be sure you’re with the right person. I want to meet him. I promise, I’ll be good to him."

The words of truth threatened to come out of her throat but she held back.

"Will you bring him to me?"

Looking into his hopeful eyes, she didn’t have the heart to deny his request. "I will."

"Show me your marriage certificate. Till then I will be content with it."

She realized her marriage certificate was with Noah and she asked him to throw it away. She was sure he wouldn’t.

"I don’t have it with me at the moment," she replied awkwardly, but quickly added, "I’ll bring it on my next visit."

"I know you would not marry the wrong person." A content smile painted on his lips. "Once I meet your husband, I’ll shut up everyone who’s cursed you." He lowered his voice and said playfully, "especially your grandma, who always scolds me for spoiling you."

Natalie chuckled softly and wiped her eyes. Seeing her grandpa happy, she didn’t wish to disappoint him by telling the truth. Now all she had to do was to hurry and bring that husband of hers to meet her grandfather despite whatever it takes.

After spending some more time with him, Natalie left the hospital. As soon as she sat in the car, her phone rang. She was about to ignore the call as usual, but an idea suddenly struck her.

She answered, "Yes?"

There was a brief pause on the other end, as if the caller hadn’t expected her to pick up.

"M-Ms. Natalie, it’s Noah..." he stammered.

"With the number of missed calls I’ve had from you, I’m sure I’ve almost memorized your number by now, Mr. Noah," she interrupted, leaving him momentarily speechless. "What do you want?" she asked directly.

"Mr. Harper wishes to meet you," Noah managed to say.

"Alright, I’ll be there in twenty minutes."

"Twenty minutes?" Noah echoed in surprise.

"Yes. If your boss is too busy, then you can forget it."

"Ah, no. Mr. Harper doesn’t have anything scheduled for the next hour. You can come to the hotel suite," he quickly assured her.

Natalie hung up the call, a light smirk painted on her lips. "Seems like I have just arranged a husband to show it to my grandpa. As long as his face matches the one on my marriage certificate."