The Scorned Heiress's Hidden Empire (by Jade Quinn) novel Chapter 126

Chapter 126

walked ahead, supporting Jacob Miller, with the Mitchell family following in silence. Only the sound of foot ser the occasional rustling of leaves in the mountain breeze filled the air.

After a few minutes, a clearing appeared ahead.

A simple tombstone stood quietly on a small platform surrounded by pines and cypresses.

On the tombstone was carved: [Here lies our beloved matriarch, Matilda Moore.]

Next to it was a smaller line of text: [Granddaughter Natalie stood here in tears.]

The area in front of the tombstone was very clean, obviously someone comes here often to keep it tidy.

Beside it were several dried bouquets of flowers. Natalie thought, “They must have been left by my aunts and uncles when they visited before.

Natalie gently placed the bouquet of white daisies in her hand on the grave. These were her grandmother’s favorite flowers

I’m here to visit you, Grandma,” Natalie said softly.

As she spoke, Natalie grabbed the cleaning supplies nearby and started sweeping away the fallen leaves and dust around the tombstone.

“I’m not alone this time. I’ve found my family. If you could see it, I know you’d be really happy,” Natalie murmured.

Charlotte Mitchell bowed deeply before the tombstone. “Mrs. Moore, I’m Natalie’s mother. Thank you for raising her so well.

“She has us now, so please don’t worry. We’ll make sure she’s always taken care of.”

Her voice trembled slightly, but there was still a gentle smile on her lips.

William also stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

“Thank you for giving Natalie a home. Please rest easy. She’s under my protection from now on,” William promised sincerely.

Natalie carefully arranged the offerings, then stepped aside and introduced each of her brothers to her grandmother. “Grandma, let me introduce you. This is my eldest brother, second brother, third brother, fourth brother, and fifth brother.”

With solemn expressions, they all bowed deeply together.

“Greetings, Matilda,” they said respectfully in unison.

Jacob Miller stood quietly to the side, his eyes misty and his gentle face full of comfort and pride as he watched them

“Matilda, I hope you’re watching. Our Natalie is doing really well now. You don’t have to worry about her anymore,” Jacob said softly.

Charlotte and the others went down the mountain first, giving Natalie some private time at her grandmother’s grave. Whenever Natalie visited, she always spent a long time here with her grandmother, and today was no different.

She leaned against the tombstone, her back resting on the cold stone, but she had no intention of moving away.

1/5

12:00 pm

Chapter 126

Growing up, she always sat like this, nestled against her grandmother’s knees, listening to her tell stories and softly hum

Natalie gazed quietly toward her hometown, Upade Town, her eyes full of memories.

Natalie whispered, “Grandma, the SAT scores came out yesterday, I got a 1599, the highest in my class

‘You always told me to aim for a good college, so I’m going for the very best one! Natalie thought, her heart full of determination.

Her voice was soft, like she was chatting with someone sitting right next to her.

Natalie said softly, “Grandma, I’ve left the Grant family. Even though you never said it out loud, I know you always worried about David, just like a mother would.

“Before I left, you still wanted me to go back and help him, but honestly, David was never really worthy of your concern.”

Suddenly, the mountain breeze stopped, and the pine and cypress trees fell silent. A heavy stillness filled the air.

Natalie remained silent for a long time before she spoke again.

“I

went

to the Grant family, but they didn’t treat me well.

“The night right before the SAT, they threw me out.”

She paused, a faint smile of relief appearing on her lips.

“But it’s fine. I can’t stand being bullied, so don’t worry. You were just being a mother, that’s all.

“You never knew they’d treat me that way. You just believed that blood is thicker than water, that family bonds could never really be broken.”

Natalie took a deep breath. “But from now on, whatever happens with the Grant family, I won’t step in anymore, not because of me, but for your sake.

“You’ve already done so much for David, more than anyone could ever ask for.”

Natalie went on to tell her grandma about everything that had happened recently. She quietly introduced each member of the Mitchell family, sharing their stories as if her grandmother was right there beside her, listening.

She stayed there for over an hour before finally making her way down the mountain.

Charlotte and the others were sitting in Jacob’s courtyard, sipping coffee. When Natalie came back, they got up to head out.

Natalie looked at Jacob lying on the recliner. After more than a year apart, he’d lost quite a bit of weight and seemed much more frail than before.

She stepped forward, intending to check his pulse like she always did, but as soon as her fingers brushed his wrist, he caught

her hand in his own.

His hand was thin and knobby, veins bulging beneath the skin, yet his grip was surprisingly firm

Jacob opened his eyes, a sly glint of mischief shining in his cloudy gaze.

Laude girl, vou trying to check my pulse again?” he teased

Natalie froge for a moment. bat didn’t pull away.

Jacob, you look thinner, Natalie said gently.

Jacob released her hand, slowly pushed himself up from the chair, and waved off her concern.

“Thinner? That’s just what happens when you get old. Been this way since your grandma passed, two years. “But you, you’ve lost weight too. Have you been eating properly out there?” Jacob asked, concern in his vosce

Natalie didn’t answer, her eyes lingering on Jacob’s face.

After more than a year apart, he really did look a lot older.

His hair had turned completely white, the wrinkles on his face were deeper than Natalie remembered, and even his voice sounded weaker than before.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify