Chapter 86 - Turning the Tables
Their grandpa, Joseph Larson, had the final say in the Larson family. This was something that had never changed in decades.
But today, someone had gone against Grandpa! It was none other than Yvette Larson.
The entire Larson family turned their eyes to Yvette Larson as though they wanted to skin her alive.
“Yvette Larson, what do you mean? Are you not going to listen to Grandpa?” Quince Larson was sure of his victory this time. ‘Maybe the heavens are on my side.’
Initially, he had been sure that he was going to lose in this battle over the position of family head.
‘Who would’ve thought that Yvette would be so stupid? Isn’t it just a surname? Why must she be so stubborn and make her children Taylors? Her children should be Larsons to begin with. Since he’s a good-for-nothing matrilocal son-in-law, it’s only right that their children are Larsons. Our Larson family will be made a joke if word of this gets out.’
“That’s right, Yvette. We know that you’re used to getting your way, but how could you rebuke Grandpa?” Eleanor Larson quickly added on as though she was trying to sentence her cousin to death.
“Francis Larson, look at how you’ve raised your daughter.” It was Franklin Larson—Quince Larson’s father—who had spoken. As a criminal in the Larson family’s eyes, he rarely had the chance to speak during family meetings.
But today, he spoke out. He was going to use this matter to drive the family’s eldest branch into a corner so that they would never be able to make a comeback.
“Brother, I’m not trying to say anything about you, but it’s true that your family’s gone overboard this time. Dad is Yvette’s grandpa. Yvette is being very disrespectful and unfilial by going against his wishes. Dad is the Larson family head, and Yvette is just a younger member of the family. If anyone dared to disrespect me like that, I’d have kicked them out of the family.” Eleanor Larson’s father—Frederick Larson—cut in; his words were sharp.
He painted a terrible picture of Yvette Larson the moment he opened his mouth.
At this moment, the Larson family’s eldest branch was facing criticism from all other members of the extended family.
Even the arrogant Linda James didn’t dare to utter a word.
Her arrogance and pride were directed at Finn Taylor alone. When it came to others, she was no different from a coward.
Instead, it was Francis Larson—who was usually shy and timid—who stood up. “Dad, Brothers, the younger generation has their own ideas. In my opinion, it’s best for us to leave that decision to the children’s parents. Do you think we should always interfere in such matters? Does that mean that we should always listen to the family head?”
“Let me ask you then. If Yvette agrees to Dad’s order to make her children Larsons, she’ll be the family head in the future. Will you both listen to her then? Also, Quince and Eleanor, don’t get too happy now. I’ll give you an example. If you guys have children in the future and Yvette asks you to name your children ‘Pig’ or ‘Dog’ as the family head, will you agree to it? If you don’t, you’d be disrespectful and unfilial, just like what your Third Uncle said earlier.”
“Oh right. Third Brother, I remember saying that you’d kick such disrespectful and unfilial people out of the family, right?”
Yvette Larson’s eyes reddened. ‘Over the past few decades, everyone has told me that it was because of my father’s averageness that Grandpa passed over him to choose his successor from the third generation. I’ve spoken to Father about it too, and even I had felt that he was slightly dull. But today, I finally realize that Father isn’t dull at all. He simply didn’t want to fight over the position anymore. Given his education and abilities, some things no longer matter to him. It’s definitely not because he isn’t capable.’
His short speech had rendered the entire Larson family speechless today. “Francis Larson, what are you saying?”
Of course, the Larson family was unreceptive to his words.
“What, you don’t like what I’m saying? Then, what makes you think I like what you guys are saying? Frederick and Franklin, I’m sure you guys don’t need me to remind you about the things you’ve done. How could you have the cheek to talk about others?”
Although Francis Larson hadn’t explicitly stated it, everyone knew exactly what he was talking about: their relationship with Hilary Stone 18 years ago.
“Oh, what are you trying to say? I want to know about it too.” Just then, a woman’s voice sounded from outside the room.
In an instant, the entire Larson family froze.
Dozens of eyes stared at the door. While everyone had different thoughts in their mind upon hearing this voice, they each wondered what the other was thinking.
The door was gently pushed open.
Along with the sun rays that shone in came a woman dressed in an elegant dress—it was none other than Hilary Stone.
The moment Hilary Stone appeared, Joseph Larson seemed to slump to one side. But very quickly, he composed himself. He then pointed at Hilary Stone and yelled, “W-who allowed you in?”
“Dad, look at what you’re saying. It’s a crucial moment where you’re announcing the Larson family’s successor. As the Larson family’s daughter-in-law, it’s only right that I’m here.”
Naturally, Hilary Stone knew exactly why Joseph Larson was lashing out at her. However, she simply pretended not to know and even threw a question back at the Old Master.
The reason why she was so bold was that she knew Joseph Larson inside out. ‘This old man cares too much about his reputation. He’ll never spread news that will damage the family’s reputation.’
It was because she understood this about the old man that she dared to be so bold.
“Well, Dad, can I sit down?” It wasn’t much of a question anyway since she casually took a seat beside her son.
She handed Quinn Larson a stack of papers. “I heard that Yvette managed to score the Larson family quite a lot of business—so much that our family will become the second most prominent family in San Francisco. Good; it’s good that these young people are motivated. I have a contract here too. Perhaps you’ll consider making Quinn your successor instead after looking at it, Dad.”
Hilary Stone patted her son on the back. The latter then walked up to hand his grandpa the contract.
All eyes were glued on the contract in Quinn Larson’s hands. ‘What kind of contract is that? Why is Hilary Stone so confident?’
Even Yvette Larson desperately wanted to know what was written on the contract. For some reason, she had a feeling that Hilary Stone was going to turn the tables today.