Chapter 316: Marriage Proposal

The next day.

The elders were still chatting in the living room when a booming voice echoed from the entryway.

“Hey, hey, hey! Old Man Lowell, Old Man Sutton, I’m here! Been a day, did you miss me? I sure missed you guys something fierce! HAHAHAHA!”

Old Mr. Lowell’s temple throbbed. ‘Why on earth did I ever give the order that this old coot didn’t need to be announced?!’ he wondered.

That booming voice… you could probably hear it at the foot of the mountain!

Old Mr. Sutton had just been about to use the “I need the bathroom” excuse to escape when Old Mr. Lowell grabbed him.

Old Mr. Sutton: ‘Trust me! It’s an emergency! A real emergency!’

Old Mr. Lowell: ‘I trust you! I know it’s an emergency, but calm down!’

The younger generation, who had been doing their own things in the side hall, were drawn out by the loud voice, creating a rather comical scene.

On one side stood Old Mr. Lowell and his wife, Charles Lowell’s family of six, Caleb Lowell’s family of four, the entire Sutton Family of seven, plus Nina Jennings and Zachary Jacobs.

On the other side was the Grant Family’s party of four, looking a little… outnumbered.

Mrs. Grant: ‘…Damn! A miscalculation! If I’d known, I would’ve gone back to my family’s home to rally the troops first!’

Old Master Grant’s cane seemed to be just for show as he strode over to the other two old masters as if flying, then plopped himself down right between them.

Old Master Grant even waved at the stunned younger generation.

“Everyone sit down, kids. What are you standing around for? We’re all family here, no need for all that ceremony.”

‘Great. You three should just live out your days together. That’d be better than anything,’ everyone thought.

Old Mr. Lowell shot him a glare. “Who’s family with you? Don’t go claiming connections that aren’t there!”

“Eh, I wouldn’t say that.” Old Master Grant poured himself a cup of tea without the slightest hesitation.

“Setting aside the fact that we’re about to become in-laws, we’re brothers who grew up wearing the same split-crotch pants. How are we not family?”

Old Mr. Lowell just huffed but didn’t argue further.

Instead, he introduced Kai Preston to them. “This is Nola and her siblings’ adoptive father, Kai Preston. He’s of Chinese descent. He was busy with work on the day of the proposal, so he rushed over last night.”

The elders all had their own plans last night, and besides, they weren’t people who spent much time on their phones.

So, it wasn’t until they woke up the next day that they learned about the Princess of Country E and Kai Preston’s connection to her.

They had already guessed that Kai Preston’s background wasn’t simple, but they never imagined it would be *this* extraordinary.

(Don’t be so surprised. In reality, things are even *more* complicated than this, you know~)

The ultimate introvert, Kai Preston, was once again forced to socialize, exchanging all sorts of pleasantries with the family.

After the greetings, Old Master Grant’s expression turned serious. He took two letters from his pocket and placed them in Old Mr. Lowell’s hands.

“This top one is the betrothal letter I wrote. It doesn’t matter if they have a Chinese or Western-style wedding; we can’t abandon the traditions our ancestors left us. The other is the gift list. It includes thirty percent of the Grant Corporation shares under this old man’s name. As for the remaining ten percent I’m holding onto, I have my own selfish wish: I want to give it to my future great-grandchild. As for the rest, it’s nothing too valuable. The transfer agreements are all in the briefcase Leo is holding. I hope your family won’t find it lacking.”

Old Mr. Lowell put on his reading glasses and carefully examined the contents of the gift list.

At the very top was the thirty percent of Grant Corporation shares from Old Master Grant. The rest included shops, real estate properties, a small island, jewelry, and some cash.

When Leo Grant had come alone to ask for her hand in marriage, he had already prepared a list of all his assets, stating his intention to transfer them to Yvonne Lowell’s name.

When Yvonne Lowell returned yesterday, she had also brought up the matter herself.

Their family and the Grant Family were old friends with comparable standings. They knew each other inside and out, so they naturally trusted Leo Grant’s character.

It wasn’t that they cared so much about these worldly possessions, but rather, they wanted to see the other party’s attitude.

But now, this gift list seemed a bit too extravagant.

After all, with this new addition, Yvonne Lowell would own a total of sixty percent of the shares, making her the largest shareholder in the Grant Corporation.

If she wanted to, she could even kick Leo Grant to the curb and take over the entire Grant Corporation…

Old Master Grant: ‘Stop teaching the kid bad ideas!!!’

While Old Mr. Lowell was looking through the list, Yvonne Lowell nudged the man beside her with her elbow and whispered,

“Why are they adding more shares? Didn’t you tell them about that other thing?”

“They’ve always known, but this is separate. Those were from me personally. Today’s gifts represent the Grant Family.”

Leo Grant squeezed her hand in his and copied her by whispering back,

“Besides, how could I marry the heiress of the Lowell Family, the chairwoman of Pluto, without showing some proper sincerity?”

Yvonne Lowell rolled her eyes at him. “You and your excuses.”

‘Hasn’t he ever considered that managing money is tiring?!’

Old Mr. Lowell handed the gift list to Charles Lowell before speaking hesitantly,

“Old Man Grant, this is too much. Besides, Leo already gave…”

“Hey, come on now, stop spouting that nonsense at me!” Old Master Grant waved his hand dismissively, cutting him off.

“Combining the proposal and the betrothal gifts on the same day was already improper of my family. What Leo gave is what he ought to give. But what I’m giving today represents the entire Grant Family—it’s our family’s stance. Leo is the only heir in our family, and he’s the Family Head now. So when Nana marries him, she’ll be the lady of the house. What would be the problem with the entire Grant Family belonging to her? Besides, money is something you can’t bring with you when you’re born or take with you when you die. It’ll all belong to the two of them eventually anyway; it’s just a matter of time. I know your Lowell Family isn’t short on cash, and the girl is accomplished in her own right, with so many private businesses of her own. But that’s precisely why I have to put in some effort to lock this granddaughter-in-law down, don’t you think?”

The few members of the Lowell Family who had been about to argue with him were completely shut down by his speech, unable to utter a single word.

The man had just torn his heart out, broken it into pieces, and stuffed it in your mouth, telling you:

‘We’re not here to steal your daughter; we’re here to offer you a live-in son-in-law.’

What else could they say?!

Mrs. Grant, standing nearby, added fuel to the fire. She took Wendy Sutton’s arm and said,

“You know I’ve adored that child, Yvonne, since she was little. Don’t you worry, there will be absolutely no mother-in-law and daughter-in-law drama in our house. I also know she just came back not long ago, and you all want to spend more time with her. But our two families live so close. Even after they’re married, coming home will just be a short walk. And it’ll be more lively when all our families celebrate the New Year together. You watched my tiger of a son grow up, too. Please, take pity on him at his age and let him have his wish, won’t you? He’s such an eyesore to me, and Yvonne is the only one who doesn’t mind taking him off my hands.”

Leo Grant: ‘…Mom, can you leave me a little bit of dignity?!’