Larissa Judson and Haskell Palmer novel Chapter 935

Larissa had never had any second thoughts about what her future children's surname would be.

"My and Haskell's children will, of course, be named Palmer," she stated plainly.

Larissa knew this conversation was inevitable. Even though she and Haskell were in love, their union was still a marriage between two powerful families. If the Judson family had remained under Paxton's control, their legacy would have undoubtedly passed to Finley and his children. But things had changed.

Xylee was surprised by Larissa's unhesitating response. It was exactly the answer she had hoped to hear.

"If I wanted my child to take my name, I wouldn't have needed to marry Haskell in the first place," Larissa continued calmly. "If my goal was to establish a matrilineal line, then that tradition would have to continue with daughters. The moment a son is born and is expected to pass on his name, the original goal is defeated. It just defaults back to a patrilineal system."

"And if the goal is simply to preserve the Judson name, there are many ways to do that. If Finley and Leopold's children prove themselves capable enough, I have no problem giving them a portion of the Judson family's assets. Whether they can restore the family's greatness would be up to them. On the other hand, if my and Haskell's child is not capable, no amount of inheritance will guarantee they can hold onto it."

"To be selfish, my child only has to be named Palmer to inherit your family's fortune. As a mother, that's a good thing for my child. Why wouldn't I take that opportunity? Why would I sacrifice my own child's future for the sake of a surname passed down from my side?"

Xylee was visibly pleased. "It's good that you see things so clearly. So many young women these days clamor for their children to take the mother's name, without stopping to think if it's even her name they're passing on. Isn't it just their father's—the maternal grandfather's name? Unless, as you said, they plan to only have daughters to carry on the name and inheritance, the moment a son inherits, it all goes back to the way it was."

"Aunt Xylee," Haskell replied, "according to your logic, you have only one son, and he has taken your husband's surname. The Palmer fortune will all be mine one day, so why are you so concerned with it? Even if my children were named Judson, I would still give them my inheritance. Do you think I'd give it to you if you had your son change his name to Palmer?"

Xylee looked at him as if he were a lost cause. "Haskell, you truly don't understand that I'm doing this for your own good!"

"All I see is you meddling," Haskell said sharply. "By your own reasoning, you married out of the family, you're no longer a Palmer, so why are you so worried about Palmer family affairs?"