Chapter 273

Chapter 273

The office was dead silent—you could hear a pin drop.

Holden personally had someone throw Nolan and Jett out.

In an instant, the surroundings felt empty.

Michael held Diana's hand, staring intently at Holden, "Grandpa, all these years, I've been the grandson you valued most. Since childhood, I've been obedient, but just this once, I hope you can respect my choice. Mom, I support you pursuing your own happiness, and I hope you'll support me too."

His words were sincere and heartfelt.

Holden didn't speak, just looked over coldly, "I know about your family situation. What do you plan to do? Are you going to let it go, or..."

There were no secrets in wealthy circles.

He'd gotten wind of Diana's investigation long ago.

Holden had been waiting to see what choice she would make.

If it were anyone else facing Holden's intimidating gaze, they'd be trembling with fear, or pretending to be kind just to marry into wealth.

But not Diana. She pulled her hand away from Michael's and stepped forward, "As an elder, I respect you, but this is my family matter. I hope you won't get involved."

"I'm a living, breathing person. First I'm myself, then I have other relationships. My identity is always centered on myself—I won't back down for anyone."

"So I don't need to explain my business to you."

Cleo froze, completely shocked that Diana would dare speak to Holden this way. She was about to smooth things over.

Holden's hearty laughter rang out, "Good! This is what a proper granddaughter-in-law of the Johnson family should be like. Remember, you need to be yourself first before you can think about others."

He turned his gaze to Cleo.

"You know, all these years, I've felt both sorry for you and helpless. Back then I told you that you could leave, that you didn't have to sacrifice yourself for Michael and make everyone unhappy. People need to be a bit selfish."

Holden and Cleo's father had been lifelong friends.

How could he bear seeing his good friend's daughter suffer so much in this family?

Holden tapped his cane, "I agree to let you two be together, but there's one thing—know when to stop. Do it properly, stand on the moral high ground, don't leave any stains on yourself."

Diana didn't know how she walked out of the Johnson Group. She felt dazed.

In the car, the wind whipped through her hair.

She grabbed Michael's hand, "Did your grandpa just agree to our marriage?"

Michael nodded, leaning gently on Diana's shoulder, "Yes, my wife is amazing. Grandpa agreed."

What Holden had wanted all along was someone with their own mind, not someone weak.

Diana had stumbled into the right answer.

"He actually agreed." Diana was overjoyed, throwing herself into Michael's arms, "Good, then I'll handle my own business quickly. It's time for everything to end."

Half an hour later, a trending topic exploded online.

Diana used the Scott family's connections to put the entire truth from back then on the internet, including transfer records of someone buying poison.

Soon, all the killers from that year were arrested.

When Diana heard the news, she went to see Orla.

In the hospital room.

When Orla saw Diana again, her eyes were ice cold, "You're so cruel. So what if that's the truth? Your mother is already gone, and you had your father arrested. You need to understand, real wealthy families won't accept someone as ruthless as you. You and Michael will never have a chance now."

Diana took a deep breath, "Did you think I would compromise myself just to marry into wealth? That even if I found out the truth from back then, I'd just keep quiet?"

"Grandma, I know you love me, but so what? Your love comes from blood ties, maybe with some guilt mixed in. But how did you all treat my mother?"

"I was young back then, but I wasn't stupid. I noticed something was wrong early on, so I played dumb. Otherwise I wouldn't have survived till now. I'll take care of you, I'll be there for you no matter what, but the rest—I can't help with that, and I won't back down."

Orla's face went pale, "Then what do you want to do? What about the company?"

"You're wrong. It's not about what I want to do with the company, it's about what you want. I've already arranged everything with the company. Michael will acquire it. Of course, after this, Garcia Jewels Company won't exist in this world anymore."

Garcia Jewels Company should have disappeared over ten years ago. It was just delayed for many years.

Orla was devastated, tears streaming down her face.

Diana's expression was complicated, but she didn't know what else to do. She turned and left.

Michael pulled her into his arms, gently stroking her hair, "Don't be afraid. Even if the sky falls, I'll be here."

Back home.

Diana couldn't wait to push Michael down and kiss him passionately, "Honey, I want to have a baby."

A blood relative who would never betray her.

It was destined to be a sleepless night.

Two months later.

Diana stared at the test results, stunned, "Doctor, are you sure I'm pregnant with twins?"

"Congratulations Mr. Johnson, congratulations Mrs. Johnson. You're about to become parents, and with twins no less."

News of Diana's pregnancy spread quickly.

Cleo had been planning a grand wedding for Diana and Michael, but now it had to be moved up.

After all, wearing a wedding dress while pregnant wouldn't look good.

Diana looked at everything Cleo had prepared for them, moved to tears, "Thank you, Mrs. Johnson."

"Still calling me Mrs. Johnson? Change how you address me."

Cleo took a bracelet from her wrist and put it on Diana's hand, "You're good in every way, just too strong-willed. But now I've figured it out—being strong isn't bad. Women should be a bit selfish, take care of themselves, be happy. When you're happy, the people around you can be happy too. You two must be happy."

Looking at the bracelet on her wrist, Diana cried with emotion.

This was the first time since Aria's death that she'd felt a mother's love again.

Michael watched quietly, then swept his arms around both of them—Cleo in one arm, his beloved Diana in the other, "I'm here. We'll all be happy from now on. Mom, if you meet someone you like, you can be with them too. I support you."

Cleo blushed bright red, "Okay, you said it. But when you two go to work, I'll take care of the children."

Even though they had servants, she still felt uneasy.

Diana nestled in Michael's arms, looking tenderly at her belly, "Honey, thank you. Thank you for giving me a family."

Outside, the sun was shining bright. Inside the room, laughter filled the air.