Chapter 195: Just Look At Whose Taste It Is

Chapter 195: Chapter 195: Just Look At Whose Taste It Is

Since his paralysis, Patriarch Forrester had been confined to his bed and wheelchair, his vitality waning daily and his spirits perpetually low.

Bella Thorne pushed him along a covered walkway to get some sun. As she looked up, she saw a courtyard of lush green grass where horses ambled about, leisurely nibbling at the blades. Everything was quiet and peaceful.

"Have you gotten to know Sylvia Bell any better?"

Since arriving at Northolme Manor, she had been in a strange place with no one to turn to. She rarely went out, spending most of her time in the stables, slowly building a bond with Sylvia Bell. Patriarch Forrester saw it all, and his heart ached for her. The girl was just too well-behaved and considerate.

Tristan Forrester had promised to return to Northolme soon, yet he had repeatedly postponed his return for a woman.

Bella Thorne knew this perfectly well, yet she never uttered a single word about it.

"Not yet. She’s very wary and exceptionally loyal."

’Loyal to one master from beginning to end.’

She sighed to herself wistfully. ’If only people could be so pure and devoted, loyal to one person from beginning to end. How wonderful that would be.’

"Bonnie, do you blame me?"

Bella Thorne froze for a moment, then shook her head gently. "This was my choice. I don’t blame anyone. Everyone has the right to love who they love. When I married him, I already knew he had Miss Hughes in his heart. He only agreed to marry me to spite her."

Before the wedding, she’d accidentally overheard Tristan Forrester on the phone with Justine Hughes. It was then she understood: as long as Miss Hughes was willing to come back, she didn’t stand a chance.

Back then, she had even felt a sliver of shameful relief, grateful that Justine Hughes had chosen career over love.

She had naively thought that if she just married him, she could eventually warm his heart over the long run.

’In the end, she was only fooling herself, refusing to give up until she hit a dead end.’

Patriarch Forrester heaved a heavy sigh. "Bonnie, whatever you want to do from now on, I will support you with everything I have. If the day comes when you want to leave Tyson, I’ll adopt you as my own granddaughter. As long as I’m here, no one will dare bully you in the slightest."

A warmth spread through Bella Thorne’s chest, and her eyes began to sting. "Thank you, Grandpa."

’She was an orphan, all alone in the world. To be cherished so genuinely by the patriarch... even if she couldn’t win the heart of the man she loved, she was still incredibly fortunate in this life.’

"We’re family, there’s no need for thanks. I just want you to live a comfortable, peaceful, and happy life."

Bella Thorne murmured her assent. Lifting her gaze, she saw a car pulling up to the entrance and quietly pointed it out.

"Grandpa, someone’s here."

Patriarch Forrester looked up at the sound of her voice. When he saw who was getting out of the car, his eyes lit up, and he said urgently, "Bonnie, quick, push me over."

Bella Thorne quickly pushed the wheelchair forward.

"Hawthorne, long time no see! You’re looking as hale and hearty as ever."

Zachary Hawthorne sized him up for a moment, then let out a sigh. "You old dog, how did you get so gaunt and old?"

"Did you come all this way just to get a rise out of me?" Patriarch Forrester shot him a glare. "At our age, you’re still trying to one-up a cripple in a wheelchair? Have you no shame?"

"What cripple? You just had a bit of bad luck before, not having met my granddaughter-in-law yet." Zachary Hawthorne’s gaze fell on Bella Thorne, standing quietly to the side, and he sized her up.

"And this is?"

"My granddaughter-in-law," Patriarch Forrester said, then urged, "Bonnie, say hello."

Bella Thorne, looking obedient and gentle, called out softly, "Grandfather Hawthorne."

Zachary Hawthorne stroked his salt-and-pepper beard, his smile warm. "Not bad, not bad at all. She has such pleasant features. One look and you can tell she’s a good child with a pure heart."

"But of course. You have to consider who has such good taste."

The two men headed toward the villa, chatting as they went.

"We’re old friends who haven’t seen each other in a while. We have some catching up to do, so you don’t need to stay with us," Patriarch Forrester said.

Bella Thorne murmured her assent and silently turned to go upstairs.

Both patriarchs had long since retired from the public eye and were well advanced in years. Their small talk was nothing more than household trifles, updates on their health, and the affairs of their children and grandchildren.

"That Vesper girl... was it you who set her up with Jared?"

Zachary Hawthorne waved his hand. "How could I possibly sway his heart? She’s the one he set his mind on."

"Your grandson certainly has much better taste than my Tyson." Patriarch Forrester sighed, his tone laced with bewilderment. "I often wonder if I made the wrong decision back then."

’Tyson and Bonnie have been legally married for two years, and still, there’s not been a peep about any children.’

Zachary Hawthorne offered some comfort. "It’s best to let nature take its course. At your age, you should worry less about things you can’t control."

"You don’t have my troubles, so of course you wouldn’t understand," Patriarch Forrester sighed. "I’m just worried that Tyson is still entangled with his ex, wronging Bonnie and leaving her to suffer in silence."

"I shouldn’t say too much about your family’s affairs. At the end of the day, your children and grandchildren will make their own way. If they really refuse to listen, well, you can always just kick them out."

"You have two sons and two grandsons. You have options. My Forrester family, however, has had a single heir for three generations. I have no choice in the matter."

"Then you should have had more kids back in the day."

Patriarch Forrester was speechless. ’This old goat really did come here just to get under my skin.’

"Enough about that. How’s the recovery of your legs coming along?"

"On that note, I must sing the praises of your granddaughter-in-law. Her medical skills are truly superb," Patriarch Forrester said, his tone full of sincere admiration. "After just two courses of treatment, I’ve already regained some feeling in my legs. And by following the dietary regimen she gave me, my appetite has improved a great deal as well."

Zachary Hawthorne beamed, his eyes crinkling with pride. "But of course! My granddaughter-in-law may not have formal medical training, but her natural talent is one of a kind. Her mastery of medicine is far more profound than that of doctors who’ve been practicing for half their lives."

The two chatted for a while longer before footsteps suddenly echoed from the entryway.

Looking over, they saw Tristan Forrester walking in with Justine Hughes.

Patriarch Forrester’s expression darkened instantly, and rage churned in his chest. ’That bastard. How dare he bring that woman straight to the manor? Is he trying to humiliate Bonnie in front of everyone? How can I show my face after this!’

"Grandpa. Grandfather Hawthorne."

Tristan Forrester approached with his luggage and spoke in a low voice. "Justine is a friend of Jared’s as well. When she heard he was having a wedding, I brought her along to attend."

Justine Hughes offered a soft greeting, "Grandpa Forrester."

Then, she offered a slight nod to Zachary Hawthorne.

Patriarch Forrester’s tone grew colder. "You shouldn’t have brought her here."

"Justine is new to Northolme; she doesn’t know the area or anyone here. It isn’t safe for a woman to live alone. The manor has plenty of spare rooms, so it’s no bother for her to stay a few days. I already cleared it with Jared before we came, and he agreed."

Patriarch Forrester felt a stifling anger lodge in his chest, leaving him breathless and simmering with suppressed rage.

"Here, old friend, have some tea and cool off." Zachary Hawthorne handed him a teacup and lowered his voice so only the two of them could hear. "It’s better to keep her under your watch than to have them sneaking around behind your back."

Patriarch Forrester managed to suppress his anger and looked at Tristan Forrester.

"Bonnie has been worried sick about you lately. Go upstairs and see her. And explain this to her, properly."

"Yes."

As Tristan Forrester turned to head upstairs, Justine Hughes subconsciously moved to follow him.

Patriarch Forrester’s voice suddenly deepened, stopping her in her tracks.

"There’s no need for you to follow, Miss Hughes. The young couple hasn’t seen each other in days. They probably have some private matters to discuss."

Without a glance at Justine Hughes’s expression, he summoned a servant and gave a few quiet instructions. "Take Miss Hughes to a guest room and help her get settled."