Unwilling to back down, Vera’s face flushed with anger. “I didn’t come here to argue with you,” she gritted her teeth and said. “Step aside. I need to take my grandchild away.”
“She is my daughter! Why do you think you have the right to take her away?” Garrett snapped back, his anger building.
The estrangement between Laney and him was due in part to Vera’s intervention. Although Garrett had decided not to dwell on it, he never expected Vera to remain unrepentant and attempt to take their child.
“Because she is a descendant of the Harding family!” Vera stated self- righteously.
“I allowed you to marry Laney only because she was carrying your child. I never expected her to be so restless and even change hospital and take away the child without my permission! I cannot allow such a woman to be the daughter-in -law of our Harding family!”
Garrett’s eyes narrowed. “How did you find out that Laney has changed questioned his mother in a cold voice.
“It has nothing to do with Kailee. I figured it out on my own,” Vera denied it, but her nervous expression gave her away.
In fact, Vera had received a call from Kailee earlier that morning.
“Mrs. Harding, there’s something I don’t know whether to tell you or not,” Kailee said on the phone as she sobbed.
Vera frowned with concern. “What happened?” she asked.
Kailee put on a tone of guilt and said, “It’s my fault. I upset Laney, and she moved to another hospital last night.”
Vera was shocked and asked, “Laney transferred to another hospital? What happened?”
Kailee knew she had Vera’s attention and continued with a helpless tone, “Last time, when Garrett was drunk during a business trip abroad, I happened to be at the same hotel and helped him back to his room. But unexpectedly…”
Vera’s heart sank at the ominous pause. “Unexpectedly what?” she probed.
Kailee continued, “He… He was drunk and forced himself on me. I couldn’t say no to him… After he sobered up, we agreed to keep it a secret in order to not hurt Laney. But Laney found it out from her former colleague and now she wants a divorce from Garrett…”
Kailee twisted the truth and placed all the blame on Garrett, even suggesting that Laney went to another hospital to take their child away secretly.
Upon hearing this, Vera couldn’t contain her anger. She rushed to the hospital with a group of bodyguards, intending to take the child away by force if necessary.
After all, the child was now a part of the Harding family. She couldn’t let Laney spirit her away.
Garrett noticed Vera’s nervous expression and knew that Kailee must be up to something behind the scenes.
Rubbing his temples, he said wearily, “The decision to change the hospital was mine alone. It had nothing to do with anyone else.”
“Regardless, I must take the child away today,” Vera persisted.
A tinge of anger colored Garrett’s voice. “This hospital is owned by the Larson Group. Do you wish to humiliate the Harding family in another family’s turf?”
“What’s wrong with taking my own granddaughter away?” Vera’s voice rose, her typically poised and dignified bearing vanishing. “Get out of my way!”
Witnessing the unfolding scene, Garrett felt a wave of embarrassment wash over him.
Natalie had chosen this hospital for Laney’s recovery, intending it to be a place of rest and healing. Yet, Vera, as Laney’s mother -in-law, consistently meddled with her daughter-in-law’s postpartum recuperation, spurred on by Kailee. Her behavior was truly abominable.
For the first time, Garrett felt a deep sense of shame for being a part of the Harding family.
Inhaling deeply, he asked in a low voice, “Dad doesn’t know you’re here to take the child, does he?”
Vera fell silent. She hadn’t informed Leo before coming to the hospital; it was solely her decision.
Leo, ever mindful of his reputation, would never undertake such a drastic action as seizing the child.
A sneer tugged at Garrett’s lips. “I thought as much. Have you considered how Dad might react if he learned you’ve caused a scene without his knowledge?”
Defiantly, Vera countered, “Even if he knew, he would support me.”
Garrett’s anger boiled into laughter. “Are you certain Dad knows Kailee egged you on? You distrust Laney, your daughter-in- law, but rely on an outsider. Can you truly claim to be a responsible matriarch with your actions?”
Vera, rendered speechless by Garrett’s words, faltered.
At that moment, Ian approached with the photo album Vera had sent and handed it to her. “Mrs. Harding, before deciding to take the child away,” he suggested, “you might want to examine the final page of the album.”
With skepticism etched on her face, Vera opened the album.
In an instant, her cheeks flushed crimson, and she quickly closed the album.
She never could have anticipated finding such a scandalous image of her son and Kailee within.
“What… What on earth is that?” Vera stuttered, her words a tangled mess. “I didn’t send anything like that…”
Garrett, too, felt shame wash over him and averted his gaze, unable to speak.
Ian exhaled and explained, “Kailee planted the photo in the album you sent.”
Seeing the stunned look on Vera’s face, he continued, “She tricked your son, snapping this picture while he was unconscious. Then, she used you to deliver the album to your daughter-in-law, dealing her a staggering blow shortly after childbirth.”
Vera’s mind reeled as she absorbed the truth behind the situation.
Only then did she recall how her adverse opinions of Laney had been molded by bailee’s manipulation, culminating in their strained relationship and the present predicament. As the realization dawned on her, remorse filled her heart.
Had bailee not interfered, she might have cradled her granddaughter long ago.
“Garrett, what should we do now?” Vera’s desire for the child remained, and she sought guidance from Garrett. “Laney and her daughter can’t remain estranged from us indefinitely, can they?”
Seeking to assuage Vera’s concerns, Garrett promised, “Don’t fret. As soon as Laney is discharged from the hospital, we’ll bring the child back home.”
Though Vera harbored doubts about Garrett’s assurance, she acknowledged her error and departed with her entourage of guards.
As he watched Vera leave, Garrett massaged his temples, his body and mind drained.
Contemplating a visit to Laney and the baby, he spun around, only to find Laney standing behind him, tears coursing down her cheeks as she gazed at him.
Garrett’s heart tightened, and he struggled to find the right words.
New Book: Beginning with a Daring Encounter
Celsie was tired of being labeled as an introvert, workaholic, and dull virgin by her friends. Determined to prove them wrong, she made a bet that she would do something daring on her 25th birthday. Now that the day had arrived, it was time to fulfill her promise. On her daring to-do list, there was one task: a one-night stand with someone.
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