Chapter 76
Chapter 76
Chapter 76 Shocking Secret
“Old Mrs. Xander!
Martha came out of the bathroom and saw Mavis walking away from the kitchen. Recalling something and Martha laughed. “Ms. Michaela woke up at five this morning, saying she wanted to make soup for Old Mr. Xander. She kicked me out of the kitchen when I tried to help.”
“Oh.”
Mavis nodded. She might look fine at first glance, but upon closer look, she was absentminded. Her gaze wasn’t even focused on Martha when she replied to her. After muttering an acknowledgment, she turned on her heels to head back to the bedroom.
Martha was still rooted in place as she stared at Mavis’ back, thinking something was strange, but couldn’t put her finger on it.
Could it be that Ms. Michaela being in the kitchen had angered Old Mrs. Xander? Or has Old Mr. Xander’s condition worsened?
Speculations filled her mind when Mavis suddenly halted and whirled around to glance at Martha. Seeing Martha was still standing there, Mavis beckoned for her to approach.
Martha didn’t dare to drag her feet and immediately drew closer. “Nick’s condition had the entire family in an agitated state. Go to the backyard and get some vegetables and fruits.”
The Xander residence backyard was wide, so Mavis utilized the space and planted vegetables and fruits there in her free time. She didn’t use any fertilizers or pesticides, so everyone in the family could consume them without worry.
Martha instantly complied with Mavis’ demand and beelined for the door.
Seeing Martha disappear through the front door, Mavis cast a glance in the kitchen direction with a sigh. Suddenly, a deep, strong voice sounded from her back. “Why are you standing here sighing in the early morning? I’m not dead yet!”
“Touch wood! What nonsense are you saying? We’re old now, so stop saying all these taboo words around us. Don’t you have even a bit of common sense?”
Nick’s sudden appearance caught Mavis by surprise. Shooting a glare at Nick, she pushed him back to the bedroom and didn’t forget to shut the door.
Noticing Mavis’ hard look, Nick instantly put on a flattery smile. “Yes, I’ll remember everything you say, Mavis, and won’t repeat it.”
Her expression softened at his promise. “What are you doing wandering around and not staying in bed?”
“Weren’t you the one who woke me up for breakfast?” Nick said, feeling wronged.
Life is hard! Whether I listen to her or not, I’m in the wrong either way. She’s getting older by the day and harder to please.
Mavis mulled over it briefly and recalled that she did say so earlier. It’s all Jonathan’s fault! I almost forget about it from that scare earlier!
It was a habit of Mavis to visit the kitchen every morning. With Nick’s condition, she had to pay extra attention. Also, at her age, she couldn’t help but nag.
She had wanted to make breakfast, but Nick didn’t want to tire her, so he forbade her from preparing it herself. In the end, she conceded and only made rounds in the kitchen to check on everything.
As usual, she got up and went straight to the kitchen.
Yet before she entered, she caught Jonathan carrying Michaela and setting her on the counter.
He wouldn’t let go of her hand, and after whispering something into her ear, Mich’s pretty face blushed red. Mavis was bashful at the entire scene.
Even though she had been married for a long time, they weren’t so open with affection back in the old days.
Both of her sons were married, but her daughters-in-law and sons had always been well-behaved in front of her. They never acted too intimate, so it was a first for her.
I couldn’t believe I was worried about Jonathan not finding a wife. Now I could see that it wasn’t that he didn’t know how to date, but he didn’t want to date.
Mavis realized something when she recalled the scene at breakfast the day before. So the girlfriend Jonathan was referring to was Mich?
Even though she was old, she wasn’t senile. Her mind was sharper than anyone else. Combining Jonathan’s behavior and actions for the past five years, she finally realized the truth.
So that brat’s unwillingness to date or befriend any girls and not accepting all the blind dates no matter how perfect they were for the past five years was all because he liked Mich.
Mavis didn’t know if she should be happy or sad about that.
If their relationship is exposed, it’ll cause an uproar within the family, but keeping it to myself without a partner in crime is troubling.
Despite her uneasiness, Mavis continued to guard the door to the kitchen silently for their sake. That was why she sent Martha to the backyard.
At that thought, Mavis glanced at Nick and sat beside him. She hesitantly started, “It was all because of Zack that I couldn’t sleep last night! Zack is a man who doesn’t know how to appreciate his luck. If I had known earlier, I would’ve arranged for Jon to engage with Mich.
“Now that I think about it, their ages aren’t that far apart. An older man is more mature and wouldn’t have caused the situation into a mess like today.”
Anger began bubbling in Nick’s chest again at the mention of Zack. He scoffed as he recalled Zack arguing with Mavis the day before. “Quentin has pampered that child too much. Moreover, it’s late to say that now.
“We’ll be the laughingstock if our granddaughter-in-law becomes our daughter-in-law, and Quentin’s whole family would be awkward if they meet her in the future. Since we’re a family, I supposed it’ll happen frequently. Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!
“Seeing your face pale from being worried sick yesterday had me thinking things through. Our children and grandchildren have their own lives. Let’s treat Mich like our own granddaughter from now on and ignore the rest.”
Granddaughter? It should be daughter-in-law instead.
Yet Mavis kept the thought to herself, considering his blood pressure that had just stabilized that morning.
He’s right about one thing, though. Our children and grandchildren have their own lives. As long as Jonathan is happy, everything else isn’t important.
I’m happy that he has a girlfriend and I like Mich too. Even though the switch from granddaughter-in-law to daughter-in-law was a big change for me, I can still accept it.
As for the awkwardness when Quentin’s family meets her, it’s not like they have to meet each other. Being the laughingstock? Awkward and embarrassed? All of those aren’t important compared to Jonathan’s happiness.
After organizing her thoughts, Mavis stopped worrying and repeated to herself. Before Jonathan achieves complete victory, I have to keep it a secret.
Breakfast was seaweed soup, cucumber salad, celery salad, and onion rolls. All the dishes were healthy and light.
After hearing that Michaela specifically got up early to make the soup for him, Nick finished a bowl and asked for a refill.
“I searched on the internet yesterday night and found that seaweed soup could help patients with high blood pressure. They not only increase iodine intake but also increase calcium absorption. It helps in prevention and enhances the effect of the primary treatment. Old Mr. Xander, I’ll make it for you again if you like it.”
Michaela’s soft voice brightened Nick’s mood. After resting for the entire night, his pallor had improved. “I like it! Your cooking skill is splendid! You’re so attentive too.”
“This is something I should do!”
After seeing through Jonathan’s intention toward Michaela, Mavis began to observe Michaela like how a mother-in-law observed her daughter-in-law. Mavis was satisfied and glad about her observation.
Jonathan is lucky and has a good eye. His candidate for a wife is perfect. Once Michaela marries him, she can accompany me to watch opera performances or take a stroll around the park. I won’t be stuck looking at Nick’s face anymore.
If she can bless me with a grandson, that’ll be perfect! I won’t be bored then. Just thinking about it makes me happy.
Mavis got even more urgent at the thought.
It looks like I need to give Jonathan a little push. He won’t be able to catch a break if he doesn’t marry such a perfect girl quickly.