SWNOVELS Chapter 576: Early Retirement
Reginald, looking like a peacemaker, dutifully helped Grandma Sterling upstairs to rest. Grandma Sterling was fuming, clutching her chest and gasping for breath, while still grumbling, "Your elder brother must be out of his mind. At his age, getting a divorce as if it's child's play. It's a joke."
"Mom, have some water and rest," Reginald said as he helped Grandma Sterling sit on the sofa in her room and poured her a glass of water. "What's done is done. Complaining about him won't change anything."
"Can I not complain?" Grandma Sterling sighed heavily. "Reginald, look at this family now. Your elder brother and sister-in-law ended their thirty-year marriage just like that. Terry is still in the hospital after his surgery failed. Little Lucky is so young, and Meredith is still young too. Isn't this suffering? I'm going to pray tomorrow; you should come with me."
"Alright, Mom, I'll go with you tomorrow. Don't be upset," Reginald replied calmly.
Everything happening at Ravenwood was clear to Terrence in the hospital. He knew about Julian's divorce, Grandma Sterling's anger at Julian, and Reginald's act of being dutiful.
Meredith held Little Lucky while watching Terrence peel an apple. "Your Uncle Reginald should have been in showbiz; he's quite the actor."
Terrence chuckled, "It's a family trait."
Meredith realized and laughed too. Indeed, Terrence wasn't bad at acting either.
Little Lucky eyed the apple in Terrence's hand eagerly, sticking out her tiny tongue wanting to taste it. Her big, bright eyes were fixed on it as she excitedly waved her arms and legs.
Meredith laughed, "Our daughter is such a little foodie."
Being so young, Little Lucky couldn't eat the apple yet since she didn't even have teeth.
Terrence brought the peeled apple close to Little Lucky's mouth, letting her lick the apple's flavor.
This delighted Little Lucky immensely. Her chubby little hands tried to grab the apple but were too small to hold it steadily. Frustrated, she slapped at the apple and tried to bite it with her toothless gums but could only taste a bit of sweetness. This scene made both parents laugh heartily.
Their daughter was their joy.
Seeing her parents laugh, Little Lucky laughed too, not knowing why but eager to join in the fun.
Her adorable antics lifted Meredith's spirits, prompting her to kiss her daughter's cheek.
Feeling moved, Terrence kissed Meredith on the cheek as well.
Meredith felt slightly embarrassed but was glad their daughter was still too young to understand.
"Let me hold her while you eat some fruit," Terrence offered, taking their daughter into his arms to give Meredith a break.
Meredith remembered something and said, "Didn't you say earlier that your Uncle Reginald is taking Grandma out tomorrow? Should we send someone to protect her secretly?"
"No need. Reginald is very cunning. If he goes out, there will definitely be people from Celestial Alliance following him secretly. Being discovered would backfire," Terrence explained. "Before the downfall of the Li family, Reginald will make sure Grandma is safe and sound. He won't harm her. Meredith, remember what I told you: transfer the company's assets and create an illusion of internal deficit."
"I've got it all arranged. Don't worry," Meredith reassured him with a raised eyebrow. "I used to be your efficient secretary after all. This is no big deal for me. I've transferred all the money to a bank in England where my dad can keep it safe." "My father-in-law is really reliable," Terrence said with a smile. "Once this matter is resolved, Meredith, we can actually retire early."
Money could never be fully earned in one lifetime; they already had enough.
Meredith was surprised. "Terrence, you're only in your thirties and you're thinking about retirement?"
"One never knows what comes first-tomorrow or an accident," Terrence said gently as he held their daughter's tiny hand. "Spending time watching our daughter grow up and having more children with you sounds pretty good too." Meredith laughed. "Who said I'd agree to have more? I just got my belly free and you're already thinking about a second child?"
"The more kids we have, the more company our daughter will have," Terrence replied. "In our most energetic years, let's do something more meaningful-like seeing the aurora borealis and exploring the starry seas you mentioned." People often say they'll do things later without knowing when that 'later' will come or if it ever will.
Meredith looked tenderly at Terrence and nodded. "Okay."
She understood that after surviving such ordeals, Terrence had gained a new perspective on life-living was about enjoying all the beautiful things in this world. While Meredith and Terrence talked about their dreams and aspirations, Joy Chaucer was still figuring out how to fill his stomach for the day.