Female Novel
Chapter 221
"Ah!" Lily gasped in shock.
Standing too close, her dress got splattered with blood, and the small bottle of whiskey she washolding dropped to the ground, shattering into pieces.
Norbert scolded in a low voice, "What are you screaming for? Shut up!"
Lily covered her mouth, her face turning pale, not daring to make another sound.
The others were also visibly shaken, each of them too scared to utter a word.
Norbert, with blood at the corner of his mouth, looked at them seriously and said, "Since yourparents sent you back here, they must have informed you about my health. I'm not asking you toleave, but there's one thing: my health condition must not be disclosed to Wenna."
Everyone exchanged puzzled looks, unsure why.
Why keep it a secret from Morwenna? Was it because Morwenna had fallen out of favor?
Norbert did not provide a reason but commanded sternly, "Got it?"
"Yes, yes."
"Alright, Grandpa, we won't say a word."
Norbert had someone clean up all the traces of blood, leaving no sign that he had vomited blood.
At that moment, everyone present realized that the once formidable Norbert was now old, close todeath, so weak that he needed support to stand steadily.
After resting for a while outside, ensuring he appeared normal, Norbert started walking back, hisexpression solemn.
What was he to do? He wouldn't last much longer.
Would Wenna be able to handle the news?
Norbert kept it from Morwenna because he knew she would be the only one truly saddened by hispassing.
He didn't want to cause her unnecessary grief, preferring to take each day as it came.
The younger members of the Hetfield family were all aware of Norbert's frail health, yet their primaryconcern was how to ingratiate themselves with him in his final days, even going so far as to offerhim drinks, hoping to curry favor and secure a share of the inheritance.
Even Stuart seemed unaffected.
To Stuart, death was a natural part of life. Norbert was nearing eighty, having lived a full life. Stuartbelieved living into his sixties would be enough for him.
The world was so full of filth and malice, what was the point of lingering on?
Only Morwenna feared anything happening to Norbert.
After Melvin's death, Norbert had always held the top spot in Morwenna's heart.
She was fond of Stuart, but in her eyes, three Stuarts couldn't compare to one Norbert.
However, as Norbert’s health declined, he found himself having to distance Morwenna.
It was as if Morwenna had indeed fallen out of favor.
After that day, Norbert's schedule changed.
In the mornings, he would read with Ruby and Pearl.
Afternoons were spent in solitude.
He taught Lily manners in the late afternoon.
Evening walks were now accompanied by Rose.
And the task of helping him with his nightly foot soak had been passed on to Ryan.
Norbert appeared to mellow down, turning into a kind and approachable grandpa, appreciating hisgrandkids' efforts to be good to him.novelbin
Only Morwenna would be told by Norbert to attend to her own matters whenever she came lookingfor him.
To everyone at the estate, it appeared Morwenna had truly fallen out of favor.
Norbert had always been protective of Morwenna, a fact well-known to all.
Morwenna's boldness in declaring her affection for Stuart had been attributed to Norbert's backing.
Now, with Morwenna out of favor, her standing in the Hetfield family seemed negligible.
The younger Hetfields were thrilled.
Even those previously chased out, like Phineas and Yara, breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing thenews.
In the end, Norbert hadn't lost his clarity, recognizing who truly belonged to the family.
Regardless of past dynamics, as long as they secured a portion of the inheritance after Norbert'spassing, nothing else mattered.
Lately, Morwenna had been preoccupied with her thoughts.
In truth, the notion of falling out of favor didn't bother her.