The Bigshot Married Himself to the Heiress

Chapter 437 - 438: Snatching Grandma’s Coffin

Lucas Robertson frowned. "What do you mean ’my Mina’? Mina is Mina, not mine. You and the child are mine!"

"..."

"You are my Kiki!"

"Don’t try to sweet-talk me..." Kiki pushed him away and said, "I’m not very smart, nor am I clever. So, I once promised Sienna that if I ever wanted to marry someone, he would first need her approval. Although I agreed to marry you, I won’t go through with it if Sienna doesn’t agree."

"Marriage is your decision. Why do you have to listen to her?"

"Didn’t I just say? I’m not smart. Even Curly can wrap me around her little finger, let alone you. How can I know if you’re really sincere with me?"

"..."

"Sienna is really smart. If you’re not sincere with me, she’ll definitely see right through you!" Kiki said, her face full of admiration.

Lucas was speechless.

...

At dinner, Sienna Johnson ate with her grandmother, whose health was deteriorating. The old lady didn’t shy away from the topic of life and death. She had recently commissioned a coffin, which had just arrived today. She had also found a tailor to make her burial clothes, though they weren’t ready yet.

It was a custom in Sileria City for the elderly, especially those in poor health, to prepare their coffins and burial clothes in advance, as a way to invite good luck and longevity.

"Grandma, why are you eating so little? You should eat more. How will your health improve if you don’t eat?"

Her grandmother couldn’t even finish half a bowl of porridge. Sienna looked at her hands, which were mere skin and bones, her heart aching. It’s my fault, she thought. Grandma has had such a hard life all these years.

"I sit all day and don’t have much of an appetite. You should eat more." The old lady looked at Sienna with satisfaction and said, "Make sure to have a son this time. If you have a son, Curly won’t need to find a husband to marry into our family later on."

"..."

"What good man could she find through a matrilocal marriage? Just let her marry out when she’s older. Marry someone like your father—someone who will cherish her and let her live a peaceful life."

"Mm."

"With Curly’s temperament, I wonder what kind of man she’ll find in the future." The old lady felt a pang of sadness, knowing she wouldn’t live to see Curly get married.

"With her personality, no matter who she chooses, she won’t be the one to lose out."

"..."

Sienna touched her belly and said, "It doesn’t matter if this one isn’t a son either. I’ll just have more children. There’s strength in numbers. The Johnson family’s weakness has always been its small size."

Most elderly people like the idea of many children bringing many blessings. Hearing Sienna say this, her grandmother was very pleased and said, "These days, young people don’t want to have children. Grandma Carter’s daughter-in-law had a girl but refused to have a second child, no matter what. It made Grandma Carter so angry she fell ill. She even came crying to me about it the other day..."

"Grandma Carter has three sons. Her eldest daughter-in-law doesn’t want to have a second child, but there are still the second and third daughters-in-law. What does she have to worry about?"

"Yes, comparisons are odious! I only gave birth to your father, just one son. And your mother only gave birth to you and Samara, just two children. Samara’s personality is exactly like your mother’s; she won’t be of much help to you in the future."

Sienna laughed. "Samara is much more sensible than Madam Johnson."

The old lady frowned. "Your mother... she hasn’t caused any trouble recently, has she?"

"No."

Sienna didn’t expect much help from Pauline Briggs; as long as she didn’t cause more trouble, that would be enough.

"That’s good. You’ve always been smart and sensible. I don’t need to worry about you."

"With me here for the Johnson family, Grandma, you don’t need to worry about a thing."

The old lady chuckled and said, "Fortunately, the Johnson family has you. Otherwise, who knows how we would clean up this mess of the Johnson family. Now, even if I die, at least I can face your grandpa and father with my head held high."

"I’m still not doing enough."

"You’ve already done more than enough. Sienna, don’t be so fiercely independent. Adrian Desmond is not some mediocre man; he can be your rock! You should rely on him, trust him, and not always try to shoulder everything by yourself."

"Grandma, don’t worry. Adrian is my husband and the father of my two children. Of course, I won’t stand on ceremony with him."

"That’s right! If he needs to be put to work, then put him to work!"

"Yes, if he needs to be put to work, I will!"

"..."

"Grandma, please eat some more. These scrambled eggs with locust tree flowers taste good. I asked the kitchen to prepare them, but they’re not as good as what Madam Johnson makes." Sienna coaxed her grandmother, trying to get her to eat more.

The old lady patted her hand. "She’s your mother, after all. She might be a bit muddle-headed, but she doesn’t have a bad heart. You shouldn’t always call her ’Madam Johnson.’ If outsiders hear it, they’ll say you and your mother don’t get along, and that wouldn’t be good for your image."

Sienna lowered her gaze and whispered, "I know, Grandma."

The old lady knew what was troubling Sienna and said, "There were many things your mother didn’t intend. Pauline and your father had a very good relationship, and you were their first child. When you were born, everyone was full of anticipation. When your mother was pregnant with you, she couldn’t keep anything down. But when she heard that not eating properly could make the baby small, she forced herself to eat... Your nursery was ready before you were even born. When your mom found out you were a girl, she bought piles of clothes for you... She even bought you clothes for when you’d turn ten." The old lady laughed. "With your mother’s personality, she probably pictured you as her little doll to dress up..."

"..."

"Who would have known they would switch the babies..." the old lady said, still finding it hard to accept.

Sienna held her grandmother’s hand, comforting her. "Grandma, try to look on the bright side. I suffered a lot as a child, and that’s what forged my current strong character. If I had grown up in a luxurious environment, I might not have been able to stand on my own two feet."

"..."

"Where there is gain, there must be loss. Heaven is ultimately fair!"

"..."

"As for my mother, I am grateful that she gave me life!"

Sienna’s grandmother placed her hand on Sienna’s forehead and said, "You have a high forehead, the mark of intelligence. But clever people can often be outsmarted by their own cleverness. You must learn to be tolerant and magnanimous..."

"I know, Grandma."

Kathryn ran in and said nervously to the old madam, "Old Madam, this is bad! Curly is lying in your coffin and refuses to come out!"

"What?"

Kathryn looked embarrassed and said, "Curly says it’s very comfortable inside and she wants to sleep in there. She even wants someone to move the coffin to her room. And she also said..."

"What else did she say?"

"I told her that’s the Old Madam’s bed, but Curly said she wants to trade her bed for the Old Madam’s."

"That girl is getting more and more outrageous," Sienna said angrily.

The old lady, however, chuckled. "That girl’s temperament... Come, let’s go take a look."

"Grandma, don’t bother with her. I’ll get her out of there in a bit."

"I’ve been sitting all day. It’s a good time for a walk."

Kathryn came over to help the old madam out. Sienna could only sigh and get up to follow, feeling both annoyed and helpless.