?Chapter 1412:


    “As long as you’re happy, that’s all I want,” Bethel said softly, watching her with eyes full of warmth and admiration.


    Christina had a strength about her—steady, bright, unyielding. No matter how many times life knocked her down, she always stood up again, head high.


    Bethel’s heart swelled with nostalgia. Watching Christina reminded her of her own younger self—ambitious, hopeful, unstoppable. Those were the days she remembered most fondly: sweet and bitter all at once, but alive. Now, she often felt like she was just waiting for time to run out.


    But whenever Christina was near, something inside her came alive again—like the spark of youth rekindled after a long sleep. Christina carried life wherever she went, and Bethel basked in that light.


    “Oh! Bethel, I brought you a bunch of gifts,” Christina said suddenly, lighting up as she began unpacking them. Sheid them out one by one, exining each with excitement—where she found it, why she thought Bethel would like it.


    Bethel couldn’t stop smiling. Every gesture, every word filled her heart with joy. Christina was always so thoughtful, always picking gifts that showed how much she cared.


    Among them was a small box of medicine—a prescription Christina had found to help Bethel’s health. It had worked wonders; Bethel had been feeling stronger ever since.


    The house was filled with warmth,ughter, and that easy rhythm of love between generations—until a deep, unexpected voice cut through it.


    “Bethel. Christina.”


    Both women turned, the joy fading from their faces. Standing at the doorway, uninvited and unwee, was Brendon.


    Christina’s brows knit together as she shot Brendon a sharp, displeased look. The way he said her name made her skin prickle with irritation.


    “What brings you here?” Bethel asked curtly, her tone deepening with clear annoyance. To her, Brendon showing up unannounced could only mean trouble. Thest thing she wanted was for him to upset Christina or drive her away.


    Sensing the frosty reception, Brendon’s confidence faltered. Neither of them appeared the least bit weing.


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    “I came to visit you, Grandma,” he said finally, forcing a strained smile.


    Bethel’s eyes swept over him from head to toe before a humorlessugh escaped her lips. “You came to visit—and didn’t even bring a gift?”


    He must’ve heard Christina was here ande to stir up trouble again. The Dawson family had already fallen into chaos because of Ynda, and Brendon had even shed with his own mother. If Bethel hadn’t retained control of the majority shares in the Dawson Group, he probably would’ve severed ties with herpletely by now.


    At least she had been wise enough not to hand everything over to him from the start. Otherwise, thepany would’ve been ruined in his hands.


    Thinking of her wayward son and the mess her grandchildren had made of their lives, Bethel let out a weary sigh. Maybe she was to me—maybe her own failures as a mother had led to this.


    Brendon, stung by her bluntness, flushed with embarrassment. He hadn’te to see his grandmother at all. He was here for Christina.


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