The butler's voice came from the doorway at just the right moment.
"Show her in, quickly!"
Matriarch Farley looked visibly relieved.
The first thing my grandmother did when she walked in was smack me on the back of the head, followed by a swift kick to my shin.
"You ungrateful brat!"
"The Farley family honored you by accepting this marriage, and this is how you repay them? You vanished on your wedding night, and now you have the nerve to bring up divorce? You've dragged the entire Henson name through the mud!"
After she finished tearing into me, she turned to Matriarch Farley.
"Matriarch Farley, this is my failure. I didn't raise my granddaughter properly. She doesn't know her place, and she's caused you and Sylvester terrible trouble."
"I'm old now, and I clearly can't keep her in line anymore. So I'd like to hand over controlling interest in several of Henson Corp's core investment projects to you, as our family's way of making amends. From this point on, whether this brat lives or dies is no longer my concern!"
As she spoke, she pulled several thick folders from her handbag.
They were equity transfer agreements for some of Henson Corp's most profitable and strategically vital commercial ventures.
Matriarch Farley's expression shifted. She stood up immediately.
"Mrs. Henson, what are you doing? Please, sit down. This is a matter between the children. There's no need to go this far..."
"When a granddaughter makes a mess, the grandmother cleans it up."
My grandmother's tone was iron. She pushed the documents forward.
"Please accept these, Matriarch Farley. Consider it a way to let both our family and yours save face."
The conservatory fell silent again.
I clutched my shin, wincing, but didn't dare make a sound.
I knew my grandmother's temperament. She understood the way the world worked better than anyone. If she was doing this, she had her reasons.
After a long pause, Matriarch Farley finally sighed.
She helped my grandmother into a seat, and with a subtle gesture, signaled her secretary to collect the documents.
"Mrs. Henson, you're being far too generous. I've never blamed Rose."
Matriarch Farley turned to me, her gaze unreadable.
"Rose, remember this. Sylvester is your husband now. Don't bring up divorce again."
"...Understood." I forced the word through clenched teeth.
Matriarch Farley looked at Sylvester last, her tone softening slightly.