Chapter 132: Chapter 132

Abi smiled brightly, her mind whipping up scenarios of her daughter’s happiness when the positive news was conveyed to her. She had come in very strong, and she knew it. It would be a big loss to their family if they did this, but in her view, it was all worth it! Abi waited patiently for the response, and she was not kept waiting for long at all, at least after all the deliberations done by Geneva.

In a deep breath, Geneva continued, "Thank you for such a generous offer, but I would have to decline it."

"What?!" Abi’s composure slipped, showing her monstrous face.

Meanwhile, Geneva just thought of only one thing.

’No one on this T-Vino Island or even the whole earth can replace my daughter-in-law! Shelby completed a feat that no one has been able to do. Who did we not invite? ...and what did we not try to do to get Ian out of that room .... and all that hullaballoo about that Aliya person? Shelby came in and got all that done within weeks.

My Ian cannot stay without her in his sight now, and he even slept in her room yesterday! Why would I want to change anything? I would be an ungrateful person if I did that. Besides, these land and Port issues have been going on since the time of my ancestors, so why would I sacrifice my son’s satisfaction and possible happiness for this?

Also, that girl is not worth all this fuss I must make at home if I even decide to take her mother’s offer...’

"What do you mean by that, Mrs Thornston? You just asked to see my daughter’s profile... Why would you do that and then reject the offer?"

Geneva narrowed her eyes and then asked, "Am I misunderstanding something here? Was I obligated to accept the proposal, offer, or whatever you want to call this?"

"Abi Mush, you need to understand this here. This business transaction is in no way related to my son’s marriage. I only entertained you here because I have a level of respect for you.

I marvel at the audacity you have, to come here and tell me to make my eldest son get divorced and marry your daughter because of one Port.... Just a single piece of land? No matter how relevant that part of our Island is and also that of this piece of paper is, it is not enough to force that decision you want to now."

"I-t’s n-ot enough?" Abi stuttered. She did not understand what was going on at all. One minute, Madam Thornston was torn and looked to have been seriously considering the offer, but then all of a sudden, she said it was not enough?

That port alone was worth millions! Why was it not worth that pauper of a girl? The girl had nothing! Abi had seen her grow up and knew that much about her. Besides, wasn’t her stepfather also arrested? Why would they want to keep such a degraded relationship?

Geneva continued, "Yes! It is nowhere near enough. My daughter-in-law, Shelby, is the best of the best, and nothing will make me even consider replacing her. Notwithstanding this, if you really wanted me even remotely to consider that, you should have come up with a better proposal than a mere port that is the second best. What do you take my son for?

Is he only good for second-best items? You should probably have come in with the Port, your home and worth and all your properties .... and even with that, it would have only been sufficient for a consideration and nothing more than that."

Abi felt so insulted that she could feel her fury start to bubble up.

"You should understand, Abi Mush, that Shelby Monroe is not replaceable. Her worth is not quantifiable in any way. She is what they refer to as priceless! There is absolutely nothing that can replace her in any way except..."

Despite Abi’s anger, she perked up over the supposed exception. This was because Abi’s sole aim was for her daughter. To her, it would be worth all the humiliation in this life, if Brianna Mush got what her heart desired.

"... except?" Abi asked, a bit too eagerly and gave off her enthusiasm.

Katie showed off a rare expression of surprise behind the curtain. She knew all the ins and outs of how Shelby had ended up in their home. She knew of all the ridiculous demands that James Wendover had put across.

The demands that would have ideally put Geneva off but actually piqued her interest more. Geneva had added a few conditions of her own so that the contract was not too one-sided, but that did not mean that they had looked forward to anything from James’s side.

Katie had really been surprised when her mistress had moved forward with this particular choice of bride, but on meeting Shelby, all her reservations had been wiped. Shelby also fit that off-handed comment from Brad, which was funny how he, Brad, fell victim to her.

Shelby’s beauty could get the strongest men on their knees. Katie’s mind-eye stayed on Shelby while she kept her ears on the conversation going on. She was also very interested in this exception that Geneva had mentioned.

"I’m quite curious. Abi, is this what your daughter wanted? Is this her ask, or did you come about this on your own?"

"Yes," Abi said without hesitation, quickly adding,

"Brianna has always loved Ian and even had us ready to come up with a marriage proposal, but we missed the timing. This is all from her, and I am acting on her desires and want-"

"Then that speaks a lot about her character," Geneva interjected, the thoughtful stance long gone and her eyes taking on a cold glint. At this time, one would understand that she was really Ian’s mother because their expressions even looked similar.

"Whatever has been written in that profile of hers on this piece of paper is just garbage!"

"What?" That was all Abi could sum up. Her mind was just stuck in a loop, trying to figure out how their conversation had gotten to that point. She had everything figured out, only to be caught in a mess that she had no way of getting out of. Geneva continued berating them even with the stupefied look on Abi.

"Brianna’s profile states that she is cheerful and brings fun to all those around her? In what way does she do that? By bringing her friends down? Is that how she brings fun to people? This is a new way I have not heard of then. Is it for young people nowadays? Let me ask you this: don’t you know that your daughter and my daughter-in-law are best friends?"

"Is this how best friends are treated? She never had the decency to talk to her friend and wants to steal her husband? She would even go as far as to use the power and capability of her parents to twist arms and get this done? What kind of friend is she? Would you, Abi be friends with a person like that?"

"I am not done!" This time, it was a murderous rant that took Abi aback. That question had been rhetorical, and Geneva did not need an answer to it.

"Your precious daughter also wrote that she is a native of our Island who has been raised with traditional values. Hmmfffff! Hahahahaaha, which values are those? The fact that she had invited herself to the home of people and got angry, throwing tantrums when declined? Is that how you raise her?

Even you, as a mother, coming all the way here with this proposal makes me take a second and hard look at your family in general. What I do not like is the fact that people use their power to oppress others. If it were any other family, you would have turned poor Shelby into a divorcee and your daughter married! Talk of traditional values: Pfft!"

Abi was dumbstruck, fuming and embarrassed!

"So, dear Abi Mush, there is NO exception! What I can promise you is that if something should ever happen to Shelby Monroe, your daughter, Brianna Mush, will never be able to take one step into my home as a daughter-in-law as long as I live!"

Abi sat frozen; her tea had long gone cold. At a point in time when the levels of their voices had gone up, Katie had slipped out and stood guard at the door, signalling the approaching waiters to go back.

"Is this your final decision?" Abi asked,

Geneva did not bother answering it but held her gaze.

"I hope you won’t regret it, Mrs Thornston!"

Abi stood up, gathered her documents, and then gave a small courtesy and turned to leave.

"Bring yourself up to my level before you issue empty threats, Abi Mush!"

Abi only paused briefly without turning, but a very cold smile graced her, her anger still visible from how she held her back straight.

"That remains to be seen, Mrs Geneva Thornston."

And then she was gone!

Geneva did not bother with her but was pissed off at her impudence. What Geneva did not know was that her decision that day had opened a can of worms that would be too much for her to handle for once in her life. She had long forgotten that there were certain things that could touch her and cause her distress on a level long forgotten.

Thank you so much to all for your votes and comments! I hope we can keep it up ^_^

Support the author by reading only on NovelHub :) ~Uploaded only on NovelHub by Loctovia ~