Though sheined, the olddy truly adored having all the kids around. She often called Josh to bring over his second child, and even asked Julian to send his little one too. Julian''s son was just over two and hadn''t started preschool yet-he was full of energy.


    Knowing the olddy liked a lively house, Julian often brought his son and even his own parents to visit. Now that he was officially the head of the Bucham family, not just Young Master Bucham, he understood the importance of family


    presence.


    Laughter and yful shouting from children could be heard all over Wildridge Manor these days.


    Among the Yorks'' great-grandchildren, there were seven little boys. Three of them usually went to kindergarten, but it was summer break now, so they were all home. With so many kids together, even the closest brothers ended up bickering and fighting.


    The olddyughed at the chaos.


    She asked Serenity, "How''s River doing? He only came home for New Year''s and hasn''t visited since. Ask him if he''s forgotten his grandma."


    Serenity replied, "He''s been really busy, Grandma. How could he forget about you? He always asks how you''re doing. Right now, he''s out ying with the kids, but I''ll have him call youter."


    The olddy gave two little snorts. "He better. Belle is still willing to hang out with her Uncle River. Even though they haven''t seen each other for half a year, she still remembers him."


    "They video chat sometimes, so she remembers," Serenity said. "Belle has a great memory."


    The olddy sighed. "Oh, now she''s gone out to y, and I won''t see her for a


    while. I already miss her. The moment you left, I started missing her. I wish I could


    cling to her leg and go wherever she goes."


    Serenity chuckled. “Grandma, we''ll only be here for ten days or maybe two


    weeks. It''ll go by fast."


    If the olddy weren''t so old, she would''ve insisted on going with them.


    Everyone had started being more protective of hertely. After the Johnson family''s old matriarch passed away, the Yorks treated their grandma like a living ancestor-like royalty.


    Everything now revolved around her. She couldn''t travel far anymore, and if she did want to leave, a grandson had to apany her.


    Not a son—a grandson. Her sons were old too. Zachary and his siblings didn''t


    want their aging parents to take responsibility for Grandma anymore.


    The Johnsons had Doctor Lilian checking on their old matriarch regrly, but


    when it was her time, not even a miracle doctor could stop it.


    She passed peacefully in her sleep. No illness, no suffering. Lilian said she simply died of old age.


    Even though she lived a long life, the Johnsons were still devastated. They thought she''d live to a hundred like Mr. Jimenez.


    Now, the Yorks were taking every precaution with their olddy. In the past, Zachary and the others rarely visited on weekends. These days, they turned down


    all invitations and made sure to go back to the vi to spend time with her. Every day with her was a gift.


    They didn''t want to wait until it was toote and regret missing that time.


    The olddy said, "An hour without seeing Belle feels like forever. Now I won''t see her for ten days or more. Ugh, I''m old and useless—I can''t even travel with you." "Grandma, you''re doing just fine. Oh! Let me tell you something-River''s got a nemesis here. A woman. Two years younger than him. She''s the daughter of the Lafond Group. Her name''s Romina Lafond."