577: [Bonus chapter]For me, can you just let it go?

[Bonus chapter]For me, can you just let it go?

"Was that necessary, Madam?"  0

After Silas left, Butler Fu came from the exit door. He heard Silas and Grandma Zhu's brief conversation and chose to come out when the former left. Standing a few steps from where she was sitting, he couldn't help but raise the question. 

"I guess he still blames me for what happened." Grandma Zhu let out a deep exhale, staring at the door where Silas left. "I thought once he grew up, he would understand why I did what I did in the past. But surely, I was wrong."

"You did what you thought was right at that time."

"And I regret it." She slowly closed her eyes, turning her head to the coffee table. "Butler Fu, the longer I live, the more I realize I made a lot of bad decisions than good ones. Since the incident, I keep thinking what would happen if I killed my son back then?" 

A glint of bitterness shone in her eyes, revealing countless unspoken words she could never express in a short time. "Will Silas turn out to be a better person than he became?"

Butler Fu didn't answer. How would he know? They could never turn back time, and they didn't have the power to do so. Even if they offer everything they have, the past will always be a part of the past. 

"Olivia, my child…" Grandma Zhu drew another deep breath as she turned her head on the glass wall. "I am sorry for failing you, child. I really do not have the face to show her once we meet… if I will be even granted access to where she went."

Her eyes narrowed as she recalled that lovely woman who lived in her memories. The woman, whom this family had ruined. 

"Not only I cannot face her but also, my dearest friend as well."

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[FLASHBACK]

"Is that really all you want?" Grandma Zhu inquired at Olivia, staring at the lady who was holding a piece of paper. It was a land title Grandma Zhu handed to her, which Olivia looked at with great shock on her face. 

Olivia pressed her lips into a smile, nodding. "Yes, Mother. Thank you for this." She looked at the land title again, which was already named under her. 

"I'm sorry. I'm just a little shocked to see my name in here," she whispered. "Even if you bought the land that my family used to own, shouldn't it be under your name?"

"I discussed it with Lionel and Ria, and we all agreed it should be yours." Grandma Zhu didn't have the energy to smile, as she could only sigh. "Your grandfather is a good man, and it's a waste to let someone own it without taking care of it. That piece of land is something he truly loved and cherished. Therefore, it is only right that it should be named under his beloved granddaughter."

"Mom…" Olivia's eyes softened as her heart warmed up. Despite what Leon Zhu, this woman's son, had done, she could never truly hate his family. If not for the fact she was worried about her son's future and happiness, she would definitely choose to stay with Grandma Zhu. She could just take care of her all her life, and she would be fine with that. 

Olivia simply chose her son over anything or anyone else. And for her, taking Silas away from everything, knowing this divorce would be a big case, she didn't want her son to be the center of it all. 

"Also, it's better if you raise your son there." Grandma Zhu huffed. "It's a good change of environment and also, I want to know your whereabouts. I know you want to cut ties with this family, but I promise you, I won't bother you. I just want to know where you are and to make sure you two are fine."

"That's fair." Olivia nodded with a smile. "Thanks, Mom."

"About your husband…" Grandma Zhu rubbed her chin with her finger as she had been thinking about it when Olivia confessed what that brat had been doing to her. "I'll take his name out of the inheritance and the family registry."

"What?"

"Leon is my son, but so are you. I can never forgive him for what he had done to you and to my grandson." A look of shame and sadness mixed in the Old Madam's eyes as she looked at Olivia. "I want him to face the consequences of what he had done. He needs to serve time — I don't have a son who is an offender. I'll find the justice you need, Olivia."

Grandma Zhu stretched her hand and reached for the armrest, where Olivia rested her hand. She held the woman's hand gently, squeezing it while looking at her straight in the eye.

"I'm genuinely sorry, Oli, that I didn't raise my son well. I know whatever I say will not change what he has done already. It's the least I can do." She nodded at Olivia encouragingly. "I'll discipline him well this time."

"Mom…" Olivia's eyes softened. After living with this family for so long, she already knew Grandma Zhu's personality. Therefore, she knew the latter was serious about what she just said. Olivia raised her other hand, planting it on top of the Old Madam's hand. 

"All I want is freedom from him, Mom. The divorce is enough for me," she said gently. "There's a reason I didn't want to press charges about the domestic violence. At the end of the day, Leon is still Silas's father. His flesh and blood. We can change his family name, but he is still my son's father."

A short smile appeared on Olivia's face. "So, making him a criminal makes my son a son of a criminal. I don't want Silas to have that title, Mom. Even if he kills me, I don't want my son to carry the title of a son of a murderer. So, please. I just want this divorce and forget about everything."

"Olivia."

"Mom, please." Olivia squeezed Grandma Zhu's hand, eyes begging her. "For me, can you just let it go?"

Reluctance flashed in Grandma Zhu's eyes, as she was already determined to teach her son a lesson. However, she couldn't just ignore Olivia's pleas. So in the end, Grandma Zhu could only agree with a heavy heart even though it goes against her principles. 

She let it go for Olivia and Silas's sake, sticking to taking Leon out of her last will. So, even when they found out Olivia took her own life, and that Silas kept telling them Leon did it, Grandma Zhu kept her promise to Olivia. And that was to make sure Silas wouldn't live with the title of being the son of his mother's murderer.

But Silas didn't know that. All he knew was that Grandma Zhu chose Leon and abandoned Olivia because, at the end of the day, Leon was her blood and flesh. 

How complicated.

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