Nishay''s cold demeanor didn''t bother Penelope. She had met too many people and endured too many things in her life to flinch at something like this.


    Besides, a little barb here and there was nothing if Jonathan and Anneliese could be happy.


    So, she beamed and said, "I''m d you don''t dislike Jonathan for his ws."


    Besides, she also got something out of this. Nishay had no other objections to Jonathan aside from the fact that Frederick lost his life to save him.


    That was one silver lining they could use.


    Although Nishay was far from an enthusiastic conversationalist, Penelope wasn''t deterred as she continued, "Speaking of Jonathan... You probably think he wanted for nothing growing up. You''d be right about that.


    "However, his parents were stuck in an unhappy marriage, and he was raised in that environment. Derek and I ended up raising him. You''ve seen how my husband is. He''s strict, harsh, and prideful to the bone.


    "Jonathan never had much of a carefree childhood because of that. Naturally, he became quiet and withdrawn. Back then, I wanted his parents to reconcile, so I suggested they take him on a trip.


    "Jonathan was reluctant to go, but I persuaded him to be the mediator between his troublesome parents. Being the good, filial child he was, he agreed. Who knew those two idiots couldn''t even look after their own son properly?


    "And then the tragedy happened... So, I share some of that responsibility too."


    Nishay''s eyelids fluttered. She hadn''t expected Jonathan to have grown up in such a household.


    Unbidden, an image flickered in her mind of the teenage Jonathan she had seen in passing. She remembered how pale he was and how his straight-backed posture only highlighted how thin he was.


    He''d been so withdrawn with his head lowered as he stood to the side. She saw no trace of an arrogant scion in him.


    She scowled and forced herself not to dwell on it.


    However, Penelope noticed the change in her.


    So, she gently held her hand and earnestly added, "Nishay, if you must me someone, then me me instead. We''re already in our twilight years. We can handle the lemons life throws at us."


    "Meanwhile, our grandchildren are just starting out. The decision we make will affect their happiness for the next 50 to 60 years. What if we ruin that for them because of our stubbornness?


    "We already have so many regrets in life. Don''t you think we should try our best not to add on to that pile, especially when it affects our grandchildren?"


    Anneliese didn''t go to the burn unit. She just asked a nurse for some burn ointment and applied it to her hand before rushing back to Nishay''s ward.


    When she stepped out of the elevator, she saw Derek leaning on his cane, staring boredly at an emergency-aid poster on the wall.


    Anneliese quickly approached him. "What are you doing here, Old Mr. Fullbuster?"


    Derek turned his head to look at her, his cheek twitching. "What did you just call me? Did Jonathan pocket the gifts I sent when you got married? What happened to ''Grandpa''?"


    Anneliese remembered the night Jonathan brought her back to Oceaton. It was very memorable as he had handed her a mountain of pricey gifts to sort and organize.


    He had said they were newlywed gifts, New Year gifts, and other knick-knacks from his family.


    Back then, she assumed that he was still pining over his first love and suspected that she was just a


    recement for that first lo


    So,


    she used Nishay as an excuse to


    decline the gifts.


    However, she knew what Derek was trying to say.


    So, she corrected herself and murmured, "Grandpa."


    Only then did Derek nod in


    satisfaction as Anneliese offered an arm out to him, tentatively inquiring, "Why are you out here alone? Did


    my


    grandmother say something ng unpleasant to you? ''


    "She''s been in the hospital and hasn''t been in a good mood. If she—"


    Derek cut her off with a wave of his hand.


    "Your father is Jonathan''s savior. She can say whatever she wants, and we won''t take offense. The Fullbuster family isn''t filled with ungrateful beasts. We can be patient. Rx."


    Anneliese hadn''t expected Derek tofort her.


    She could tell Derek wasn''t very satisfied with her when Jonathan brought her to the Fullbuster Residence.


    She wasn''t the granddaughter-inw


    he wanted. Derek had given


    ve


    Jonathan a call before they even went to the Fullbuster Residence. She hadn''t heard the entire conversation, but she''d heard enough to know that he was displeased with her.


    Honestly, she was already shocked that they would even deign to visit Nishay. So,


    she genuinely didn''t expect Derek to be this nice to her.


    He snorted when he saw the wide-eyed look on her face.


    "You don''t have to look so shocked. Jonathan got into a fight with me and said that


    he will never take anyone but you as his wife in this lifetime. What else was I supposed to do?"


    Anneliese''s eyes widened further, her lips parting in astonishment. She could feel her face exploding with embarrassment.


    Did he really say that?


    How could he say something like that? Derek might think she was some vixen who''d enthralled him!


    "I-I didn''t think..." she stammered, unable toe up with a proper response.


    Derek''s expression hardened as he interrupted her.