(Sorry for the name mistake. The name of Latham and Pearce’s mother, Shirley’s grandmother Pandora will be changed to Mary James. Thanks for reminding, enjoy the story!)
But this so-called conscience was apparently worth the price of a daughter. Patti had cursed Pearce out mercilessly for even considering it.
Shirley was at a total loss.
She was absolutely not going to agree. If Latham managed to persuade her dad, she would convince her parents to get a divorce and go live with her mom.
Once she went off to college, she would take her mom with her, and the two of them would live together.
As for her little brother, he could go with whoever he wanted.
"Don't panic. If your mom doesn't agree, it won't be that easy for them to force your family to compromise."
"Besides, you're forgetting about someone. There is one person who would never agree to trading a James family daughter for corporate interests."
Claire gently reminded Shirley.
"Who?" Shirley drew a blank.
"Mary," Claire said simply.
Shirley smacked her forehead. "Ugh, how could I forget about Grandma?"
"I am going to find her right now."
Mary was living a peaceful, unbothered life in the countryside. She was quite confused when Shirley showed up out of nowhere.
She had seen the news lately and knew the James Group was in trouble.
But Mary never involved herself in company affairs. She felt she had nothing useful to offer.
Moreover, she believed money was just a worldly possession. She could not even spend her entire monthly pension, and she had a solid amount of savings tucked away.
If the James family really went bankrupt and lost everything, she could still buy them a modest apartment.
As long as they had a roof over their heads and their health, they could survive anywhere.
Mary was truly a pragmatic woman.
Shirley, however, was a total drama queen. The second she stepped out of the car and saw Mary, she burst into tears.
Shirley instantly stopped crying. "He probably doesn't know, but I am entirely sure Octavia knows. Otherwise, why wouldn't she send her own daughter?"
Mary patted Shirley's arm. "Don't you worry. I am going to go change my clothes."
Shirley's eyes lit up. The old lady was personally stepping in to crush Latham and Octavia.
She rarely saw her grandmother take action, but every time she did, Octavia was forced to grovel, and Latham had to back down immediately.
She firmly believed her grandmother held the absolute highest authority in the family.
"Grandma, you don't even know. They targeted Claire first."
"But Claire isn't legally part of our household anymore, and she already has a fiancé, so she rejected Latham."
"Who knew Latham and Octavia would be so relentless and set their sights on me next."
"I would rather marry a broke guy in the future than be a fat pig's fake wife."
"Besides, I am way too young. I don't even want a boyfriend right now, let alone an engagement."

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