Chapter 450
On the second floor, Mia pressed her ear against the door. When the noise downstairs died down, she cracked it open. Aidan's angry face was right there.
"Aidan, you scared me," Mia said, patting her chest. "You look awful. Is your heart acting up again?"
"No, but that bastard's driving me nuts. He keeps defending that woman. I can't believe I raised him."
Mia shook her head. "That Susan's got quite a temper, yelling and screaming. I thought she was gonna charge up here."
"She dares? I'd break her legs," Aidan snorted. "The grandson didn't wake up, did he?"
"No, he's still asleep."
Mia looked tenderly at the little guy on the bed, his round, fair face and long eyelashes like little fans. "He's getting cuter by the day, even cuter than Caleb was at his age."
Aidan's expression softened a bit, with a hint of pride. "Of course, it's the Eilish family genes."
"When he wakes up, speak gently. Don't scare him."
"Am I that scary?"
"You talk so loudly and have such a bad temper. Don't you know that?"
"Nonsense."
As they were talking, Oliver opened her big, bright eyes.
"Oliver, you're awake," Mia said softly, smiling.
"Grandma from the hospital?"
"You remember me? What a good memory, sweetie."
Oliver looked at Mia, then at Aidan. "Where am I?"
"You're at our home."
Oliver's eyes darted around, and she seemed to understand. "I get it. You two are my grandparents, right?"
"Smart kid," Mia beamed.
Aidan also looked pleased. "That's right, you're my grandchild."
"Hello, Grandpa and Grandma. My name is Oliver, I'm three years old, and I go to kindergarten," Oliver said, bowing seriously.
"Your last name is Eilish, Oliver Eilish. No, that name is too simple. It doesn't suit you. I need to think of a new name for you."
"Aidan," Mia gave him a look to stop him from talking.
"Grandpa and Grandma, was my mommy here just now? I think I heard her voice."
"No, you must have heard wrong. Are you hungry, sweetie? Want something to eat?"
Oliver shook her head. "I'm not hungry. I just want my mommy."
"You won't see her anymore."
"Aidan!"
Oliver looked at Aidan. "So, Grandpa, you kidnapped me to take me away from my mommy?"
Aidan didn't like hearing that and looked displeased. "What do you mean 'kidnap'? That woman stole you from me."
"My mommy is not a thief. She's the best mommy in the world."
"She just wants the Eilish family's money."
"My mommy is not greedy. She always teaches me to earn money with my own hands and not rely on others. That way, every penny is well-earned."
"That woman is good at fooling kids," Aidan sneered, "Listen up, kid. We are the second-largest family in the city, with billions of dollars in assets. Your father is Caleb, the vice president of the Eilish Group, and I am your grandfather. You are the heir to the Eilish family."
He thought Oliver would immediately forget Susan and embrace the family, but instead...
"I don't want to be the Eilish family heir. I just want my mommy," Oliver said firmly.
"How can you be so unambitious? Do you know what being the Eilish family heir means? It means companies, assets, money."
"Aidan, stop it. A three-year-old doesn't understand companies and assets. You'll scare him."
"No, I understand what Grandpa is saying. But those are just material things. Family is the most important. I can earn money when I grow up, but I only have one mommy. I want to get along with Grandpa and Grandma, but if I have to choose, I choose Mommy. Sorry!" Oliver jumped off the bed and bowed seriously. "Goodbye, Grandpa and Grandma."
Aidan didn't expect to be rejected so bluntly. He was furious but had to hold back his anger.
"Oliver... where are you going? This is your home."
"Home is where Mommy is."
"You don't know the way. You won't find your way back."
"Grandma, I'm already three years old. I'm very smart. I can find my way home," Oliver said confidently.
"This is your home. You can't go anywhere. Don't look for that woman."
"Aidan," Mia was almost desperate enough to cover his mouth. "Don't be afraid, Oliver. Grandpa and Grandma are good people. We kept you here because we missed you."
"I know you mean well, but if I stay here, Mommy will worry, and I miss her too."
"You can't go anywhere!"
"Aidan," Mia quickly bent down, placing her hand on Oliver's shoulder with a loving smile. "Be good and stay here. Grandma will bring your mommy over, okay?"
"Bring her over?..."
"Stop talking," Mia gave him a look.
Aidan reluctantly shut his mouth.
Oliver was skeptical. "Really?"
"Of course, Grandma wouldn't lie to you."
Oliver still found it hard to believe, but after thinking quickly, he realized he couldn't leave anyway. It was better not to worsen the relationship with his grandparents. After all, they were family. It would be better to stay and try to get them to accept Mommy.
"Okay, I believe you, Grandma."
"Good boy," Mia finally felt relieved. "Rest a bit more."
"Okay."
Mia pulled Aidan aside and slapped his arm. "How could you say those things to our grandson?"
"I was telling the truth. Do you really plan to let that woman into our home?"
"Maybe we should..."
"Are you out of your mind?"
"You're just too stubborn. What good will come of this? We need to think of a plan. Didn't you say our son is protecting Susan? If she causes trouble now, it will only worsen our relationship with our son. If he takes the grandson away in a fit of anger..."
"He dares? I'd slap him to death," Aidan said fiercely, but he was unsure. He was old, and his son was now in charge of the family.
Mia sighed. "That woman would love to see us fight. You're playing right into her hands."
"She'll only enter the Eilish family over my dead body."
"I don't like her either, but the most important thing now is to get closer to our grandson. Oliver was raised by Susan, so he's closer to her. If you demand they cut ties, he'll hate you. So, the priority is to stabilize our son and negotiate with that woman to see if she has any other demands."
Aidan grumbled, "You women are so complicated and troublesome."
"For the grandson, bear with it. I'll handle it. Just don't lose your temper. If you scare the grandson away, you'll regret it."