Chapter 2

I glanced at Grover Taylor, the guy I picked myself to be my husband.

He wasn't really ambitious or particularly capable, but at least he was easy on the eyes, and his family was on par with mine.

In families like ours, marriage was more like a business deal than anything romantic.

No way I'd actually be head over heels for Grover, and I sure wasn't one of those women outside, all soft and sweet, gazing at him like he was some kind of superstar.

Back then, as the second son, Grover was always at a disadvantage in the Taylor family's endless infighting. He couldn't compete with his older brother, who'd already secured the top spot in the business, nor with the youngest half-brother, who was like the perfect golden child.

So, pursuing me was basically his best chance at getting ahead.

The Taylors ruled the south, the Maxwells dominated the north, and with me being the only daughter, the whole family fortune would end up in my hands—I got to call all the shots.

Right when our families were hammering out a five-year new energy partnership, Grover acted like the perfect gentleman, showering me with attention and never once challenging me.

Out of spite towards someone else, I didn't even hesitate—I married Grover in a flash.

I shot Grover a frosty look. "Vincent's supposed to inherit everything from both our families. You really think just letting him run wild and do whatever he pleases is actually good for him?

"If he turns into some spoiled rich kid, aren't you at all worried he'll blow through all the fortune our ancestors left behind?"

Grover hesitated, glancing at Vincent, whose eyes were still red from crying. Just as Grover was about to speak, Kate chimed in, her tone timid, almost pleading, "Laurel, you're making it way too serious.

"Missing a little homework doesn't mean he's turning into a spoiled rich kid.

"Vincent's only eight. Money isn't everything. You can't just take away his childhood joy over grades."

As she spoke, she looked at Grover with her pleading eyes. "Grover, don't you agree?"

Grover glanced down at Kate, gave her a gentle smile, then helped her into the wheelchair.

Picking up Vincent, he turned to me, his voice sharp. "Laurel, maybe you should try being more like Kate—learn how to be gentle and actually act like a real mom. Stop making everything about money all the time. Would it kill you to show a little heart?"

I let out a cold laugh, shooting a frosty look at the three of them, all playing happy family. I couldn't help but throw in a jab.

"Grover, Vincent's my son. Last time I checked, outsiders don't get a say in how I raise him." As I spoke, I shot Kate a challenging look.

Grover's expression changed instantly, and he shot a worried look at Kate. "Laurel, what's with the attitude? Listen up—Kate means the world to me, and as far as I'm concerned, our son is hers too.

"Let me tell you something—as long as I'm standing in this house, Kate is family. Try calling her an outsider one more time, and see what happens."

Saying that, he pushed Kate's wheelchair, and the three of them marched out together.

Soon after, I could hear their laughter ringing out from outside.

I stood out on the second-floor balcony, watching Vincent laughing as he rode on Grover's shoulders, while Kate smiled with that look of pure satisfaction. I couldn't help but let out a quiet sigh.

'If only I hadn't been so reckless back when I was younger... Maybe I wouldn't have ended up tearing my own family apart,' I thought, a wave of regret washing over me.

With Grover backing her up, Kate started acting like she ran the place. She didn't even bother running things by me anymore—just made calls herself, like she was in charge now.

Watching the security footage of her and Grover getting all lovey-dovey, exchanging flirty looks, I could only sigh.

For Grover, Kate basically threw her whole life away. Sometimes I couldn't help but wonder if she'd ever end up regretting it when it was all said and done.

When it came to raising Vincent, they could cover his daily needs and keep him entertained, but when it came to his core values and knowing right from wrong, I refused to take a back seat.

Every night, I'd skip any unnecessary business dinners and let my deputy handle things, just so I could read and tell stories to Vincent myself.

Every winter and summer break, I took Vincent to tour the world's top universities, letting him experience the wonders of global academia firsthand.

And when it came to his education, I spared no expense to have him mentored by a professor from Meriland's Ivy League, guiding him in the ways of business management.

Vincent never really liked how serious I was, but as he grew up and saw more of the world, he slowly started to enjoy chatting with me about his wild dreams and the meaning of life.

Whenever I was away on a trip for a couple of weeks, Kate would be blowing up Vincent's phone nonstop—always fussing about whether he was dressed warmly enough, or lecturing him not to eat anything weird.

Seeing Vincent furrow his brows, I offered a soft smile and asked, "Hey Vincent, do you ever feel like I've always been really strict with you? Maybe not as sweet and gentle as Aunt Kate?"

Vincent paused for a moment, head lowered in thought, before he spoke up. "Mom, don't you think if a tree grows straight from the very beginning, it'll grow tall and strong?

"I'm a boy, and I want to learn as much as I can—just like those people who came before me—so someday I can actually give back to our country and everyone around us. That's what makes life really meaningful."