Shirley Thorne blinked, feigning embarrassment. "There's no need, Grandpa. Why make such a fuss over a simple apology? I don't want any gifts!"
'She just wanted the high and mighty Susan Langley and her family to apologize to her!'
'She didn't want gifts!'
After speaking, she glanced at Ethan Grant, as if asking, 'How did I do with drawing their ire this time?'
Ethan Grant gave a faint smile. His cold eyes fell upon the three of them as he quietly waited for their response.
Josephine turned her head to look at Warren, who shot a sidelong glance at Susan Langley, signaling for her to take the hit and put the matter to rest.
Tears streamed down Susan Langley's face as she wailed, "You're all bullying me!"
'She really didn't want to bow her head to Shirley Thorne.'
Seeing this chaotic scene, the old master lamented the family's misfortune and said, "Ethan, when you and Shirley leave, take the Peony Painting from my bedroom."
If others wouldn't give a gift, he would. He couldn't let his new granddaughter-in-law go home empty-handed.
The moment he finished speaking, the expressions of the three of them stiffened. Josephine Grant couldn't help but blurt out, "Grandpa, that's an heirloom Grandma left behind! It's worth ten million! You're giving it to *her*?"
Before the old master could say anything, Julian Grant, who had just suggested the other three make a sacrifice, placated her. "Josephine, don't cause a scene. What Grandma left for Grandpa is his to give to whomever he wishes. If you want to use it for your art exhibition, you can ask your sister-in-law to borrow it."
After speaking, he smiled faintly at Shirley Thorne. "I have a Winter Snow Appreciation Painting that I'll have sent over to you later, Sister-in-law."
Shirley Thorne was flattered. She blinked uncomfortably and said, "You're too kind."
'This man seems different from the rest of the Grant Family. His emotional intelligence is so high!'
Julian Grant maintained his sunny smile. "It's the least I can do."
Seeing this, Josephine Grant's tears started to fall.
'Everyone in this family is so biased!'
Josephine Grant had long wanted to borrow that Peony Painting for an art exhibition. She planned to invite high-society connoisseurs and then post pictures on social media. It would be a perfect way to show off her wealth and status!
But the old master had refused, her own brother wouldn't help her, and now, they were giving the painting to Shirley Thorne right in front of her.
'This is outrageous!'
The resentment in Josephine Grant's eyes was completely undisguised.
'Hmph, so they won't give it to me? Fine! I'll go ask Dad for it. I refuse to believe Shirley Thorne would dare to defy her father-in-law!'
Shirley Thorne wasn't blind; she could see the look. She scooted a little closer to Ethan Grant and said hesitantly, "Grandpa, this painting sounds incredibly valuable. Maybe I shouldn't accept it."
"No, it's for you!" the old master slammed the table, his mustache twitching under his nose.
An old man's childish tantrum was not something one could ignore.
In fact, it demanded a response.
Shirley Thorne truly didn't want it. 'I'm not his real granddaughter-in-law. Taking it would make me feel so guilty.'
But just as she was racking her brain for an excuse, Ethan Grant took her hand and traced the character for "hatred" onto her palm.
Shirley Thorne's eyes lit up, and her face broke into a wide smile. "Since Grandpa insists, it would be rude of me to refuse."
'How could I have forgotten my mission for today?'
'I'm here to stir up hatred!'
Sure enough, after she accepted, a wave of fake laughter rose up around her. No matter how jealous they were on the inside, everyone verbally congratulated her.
'That really stoked their hatred!'
Now that his granddaughter-in-law had been compensated, the old master didn't insist on the apology anymore.
Shirley Thorne had stirred up enough animosity, so she didn't care about an apology. Ethan Grant, however, was still relentless.
"If a verbal apology won't work, then make it a written one."
Ethan Grant swept his gaze over the three of them, his voice devoid of emotion. "Don't make me come to you personally."
The three of them froze, a wave of hostility flaring between them.
'This Shirley Thorne has some nerve, being able to wrap Ethan Grant around her finger like that?'
'It seems some things will require more careful planning.'