Chapter 191
Now that Aiden was getting older, his biggest wish was for the Smith family to live in harmony, and ideally to see five generations under one roof.
So the last thing he wanted was any conflict among family members. If he could have the best of both worlds, getting a daughter-in-law and a granddaughter-in-law in a short time, that would make him really happy.
Hearing that a wedding would be held for him and Veda, Chase's tension eased a bit. His eyes lit up, and he stepped forward two paces to ask softly.
"Grandpa, can you really hold a wedding for me and Veda?"
"Of course it's true. I don't think there's anything to argue about. You marry the eldest daughter of the Brown family, and James marries the second daughter of the Brown family. How perfect is that!"
Seeing this scene, Anais felt somewhat annoyed because she had never liked Chase, but in front of Aiden, she couldn't show it.
She could only go along cheerfully: "Right, Chase, this isn't as complicated as you think, and don't feel any pressure about it. This won't affect the Smith Group."
Chase was slightly stunned, then added another condition.
"Grandpa, for my wedding with Veda in the future, could you personally go to propose the marriage?"
Chase was just afraid that if he failed to break up James and Sophia today and went back empty-handed, Veda would definitely break up with him.
Hearing this, Anais immediately looked displeased. This Veda was just a young lady from the Brown family. It was one thing for her to live a pampered life normally, but now wanting to marry into the Smith family, she was putting on airs.
Who was Aiden? The Smith family affairs were now entirely handled by James. Aiden hadn't managed these matters for many years.
Whether company business or family matters, Aiden didn't get involved in any of it.
And Chase was merely a grandson of the Smith family. Wanting to marry a wife but expecting Aiden to go propose - this idea was really quite bold.
Aiden couldn't help but frown.
"Chase, what's wrong with you? Let me tell you, it's not that Grandpa doesn't want to go propose, but I think that as a descendant of my Smith family, if you can't even handle one woman and still need Grandpa to step in, then you'd better not get married at all."
Hearing this, Anais breathed a sigh of relief. She knew Aiden wasn't someone who could be easily pushed around.
Chase's face turned pale, and he quickly tried to explain.
"Grandpa, that's not what I meant. I just thought..."
Before he could finish, Aiden cut him off directly.
"You thought what? Chase, I think you came here today just to stir up trouble. Have you said everything you needed to say? If you're done, then leave right now."
Aiden lost his patience and directly ordered him to leave.
Chase looked embarrassed but didn't dare say anything more. He could only get up slowly, then put on an obedient expression.
"Grandpa, Grandma, take care of yourselves. I'll come visit you again when I have time."
Chase's heart was pounding. He didn't know how to explain this to Veda after leaving the Smith Manor. As he was leaving, Chase shot Sophia a vicious glare, filled with resentment.
After Chase left, Sophia felt guilty. She wanted to explain this matter properly to Anais and Aiden.
So she walked forward with a guilty expression and said softly: "Mr. Smith, Mrs. Smith, I should have explained this to you before the wedding."
Sophia just hadn't expected Aiden and Anais to be so warm toward her and so supportive of her relationship with James.
The more they acted this way, the more guilty Sophia felt inside.
Anais smiled.
"Sophia, this isn't your fault. What do you need to explain to us? Sure, you had an engagement with Chase, but you don't like Chase and Chase doesn't like you. Now that your engagement is canceled and you're marrying James, what's wrong with that?"
"Let me tell you, don't listen to Chase's nonsense. This won't affect the Smith family. Our Smith family is large and well-established. How could we be affected by such a small matter?"
Sophia pressed her lips together, then looked up at Aiden.
At this moment, Aiden also looked calm and peaceful, without any anger.
"Right, don't worry. James can handle this himself. If the media and news spread anything bad about you and James, don't worry - I'll find a way to cover it up with other news."
"Anyway, you two just focus on planning your wedding. Don't worry about anything else, don't care about anything else."
Hearing their words, Sophia suddenly felt very warm inside. That Aiden and Anais were such kind and warm people was something Sophia had never expected.
After leaving the Smith Manor, James took Sophia directly to the hospital. Sophia was struggling with how to tell Mia about her marriage to James.
She came to Mia's hospital room just as the doctor was telling Mia something.
"Mrs. Wilson, you'll have surgery next week. I'm telling you in advance - don't be nervous, keep a happy mood, don't get angry, and just have your daughter come sign the papers when the time comes."
Mia looked up, looking weak and listless as she asked the doctor.
"Doctor, I want to ask if my surgery has any major risks? What I mean is, if I die on the operating table, that's fine. Just don't leave me half-dead - that would be a burden to my daughter."
Mia had never been afraid of death. Even when she was young, she worked herself to the bone.
But she was afraid that something might go wrong during surgery that would make her a burden to Sophia.
The doctor smiled.
"Mrs. Wilson, don't worry. This is just a minor surgery. Your biggest problem right now is that you worry too much. You must put your health first and not think about anything else."
Standing at the hospital room door, Sophia was stunned hearing this. Mia was going to have surgery soon?
When was this decided? How did she not know about it?
After the doctor left, Sophia entered the room and asked softly: "Mom, you're having surgery next week?"
Seeing Sophia arrive, Mia's face lit up with a smile.
"Sophia, I haven't had a chance to tell you yet. When Mr. Smith came to the hospital before, he discussed it with the doctor and scheduled my surgery for next week."