Chapter 5 Don't Let Anyone Snatch Her Wedding Gift
After Ethan ended the call, Marcus had him leave the car and visit Grace. Then, he drove off.
As Ethan walked toward the nursing home, Victor's car entered the premises. Three people emerged from the vehicle, wearing matching outfits as if they were afraid people would not be able to tell they were a family.
Selena held Diana's arm and lamented how Grace was biased toward Natalie as they walked.
"Mom, when we meet Grandma later, you must make her give me the shares that she gave to Natalie."
"Don't worry. You're the true daughter of the Langley family. Natalie is a mere imposter. Your grandma was not aware of this, so she adored that substitute. Since you're back, what belonged to Natalie will rightfully be yours."
Diana patted Selena's hand and complained to Victor. "Darling, just look at Mom! She chose to care for that imposter rather than her own granddaughter. She even transferred so many of her shares to Natalie.
"When we came to discuss this matter with her previously, she was angry and scolded us. She said she wouldn't recognize Selena as her granddaughter and only wanted Natalie. She dares call herself a grandmother?
"Selena has suffered in the streets for many years. Now that she's back, Mom still chooses not to love and compensate for the years she lost. She even discriminates against her."
Selena heard Diana's rant and nodded in agreement. Grace was nothing but a stubborn, old relic. She saved Natalie and turned herself into a dim-witted old lady, spending so much of the Langley family's money every year to keep her alive.
It would have been better to give her the money instead of paying the nursing home to keep Grace alive.
Victor glanced at Diana and Selena before saying, "Mom singlehandedly raised Natalie. There must be strong feelings involved.
"Selena just returned home and missed her golden opportunity to develop a relationship with Mom, but it's not too late. Natalie has left the Langley family. Selena, from now on, you should visit Grandma more often and show her your best self.
"Once Grandma learns you're an obedient granddaughter, she will naturally be kind and pay you more attention. We're a family with the same blood in our veins, while Natalie is an outsider. It doesn't matter how much Grandma loves her; Natalie is no longer here. So, Selena, you're the ultimate winner here."
Selena immediately felt unhappy when she heard she had to appease Grace. She had just returned to the Langleys and was enjoying her life as a wealthy man's daughter. She was unwilling to frequent the nursing home.
Seeing the look on her face, Diana tugged at her. Selena didn't say anything in response.
The Langleys went into the building where Grace lived.
Before arriving at the ward, they noticed from a distance that Natalie and Grace were taking a stroll. Grace held her hand, murmuring something to her.
The expressions on Victor's and Diana's faces sank.
"Oh, great! Darling, didn't she leave home and said she didn't want your money? She didn't take anything from the Langley residence, but now she's sucking up to Mom. She was aiming for the biggest slice of the pie all along!"
Diana said furiously, "When we spoke to Mom before, she was unwilling to give her shares to Selena. It turns out the bitch, Natalie, got in the way and managed to gain the upper hand.
Victor had a ghastly look on his face. He thought he had been kind enough to Natalie. He knew she wasn't his daughter, yet he raised her and gave her 200,000 dollars before she left. He even put her information up on the family search network.
When Natalie humiliated Selena in Tyler's presence, Victor had said nothing. However, she should not have ever eyed the company's shares.
"Let's go."
"Okay."
Victor, Diana, and Selena furiously headed toward Natalie and Grace. At this moment, Grace was persuading Natalie to agree to her request.
"Nattie, you have to guard the shares I gave you with your life. It doesn't matter who asks you for it. You can never give the shares to them. If you don't agree to this, I'll take my life before your eyes."
Grace seemed to choke on her emotions as a tense look appeared on her wrinkled face. "Nattie, please promise me you will take care of my shares."
"Grandma."
"Promise me. Please, promise me." Grace threw a tantrum like a child, going so far as to thrash about on the ground.
"Nattie, if you don't say yes, this is the last time you'll ever see me."
Natalie felt helpless. She had no choice but to agree as she helped Grace to her feet.
"Okay, okay. I promise you that no one will snatch your shares away, Grandma. I will guard them well. Can you get up now?"
Grace was overjoyed. She grabbed Natalie's hand and slowly got up. "Nattie, you can't give my shares to anyone else. It doesn't matter if it's Victor, Diana, or that Selena girl. I never cared about them. I only care about you. The shares I gave you are yours alone. They can't take them away from you—no one can."
As long as Natalie did not willingly give the shares away, Grace would never give the shares to the three Langleys.
The Langleys had kicked out her beloved Natalie, after all. Overnight, Natalie lost the people whom she had seen as her parents for years, while her real parents were nowhere to be found. Natalie would lose the money she needed for her future wedding if these shares were snatched away.
"These shares are my wedding gift to you. You can never give them to anyone, Nattie."
Grace was afraid Natalie was merely appeasing her and added thoughtfully, "They're to ensure you're set for a lifetime of wealth and comfort.
Natalie's heart ached terribly. Grace had the IQ of a six-year-old, yet she still remembered to ensure that Natalie was well taken care of.
They may have been mere company shares, but to Natalie, they represented Grace's unconditional love and unwavering courage toward her.
With Grace's love, Natalie knew she would not feel lonely and discouraged even if she lived alone for the rest of her life.
"Look at you go, Natalie. You previously made a promise to us at the Langley residence, yet look at what you're doing now."
Diana's furious voice echoed as Natalie helped Grace stabilize her footing.
Natalie looked over and noticed Diana's sunken face, staring at her with vicious eyes.
Behind her were Victor and Selena, who followed closely after her.
The family of three wore outfits in the same style and color, so anyone could tell they were a matching set.
"Natalie, you've left the Langley family. You have nothing to do with us anymore, so what are you doing visiting my mother? Are you trying to get someone to support you?
"Also, you righteously declared that you wouldn't take anything that belonged to the Langleys. Are you now visiting my mother to take her shares from her?" Victor questioned her aggressively. The gaze with which he looked at Natalie was chilling and devoid of any warmth.
Selena mocked, "You're truly a pathetic impostor. You're afraid you won't live a life of wealth and comfort anymore after leaving the Langleys. So here you are, taking advantage of Grandma's poor IQ and cheating her of her money. Natalie, you're such a cheap bitch."