Chapter 65

Chapter 65

William hadn't been to Serenity Haven Retreat in quite a while. If they hadn't called saying that his grandfather, Jagger Brown, was acting up again, he wouldn't have canceled his meeting to rush over.

Jagger, as the previous leader of the Brown Group, had been sharp and capable his entire life, until he was caught in a deliberately planned car accident six months ago.

Although they managed to save Jagger's life through emergency treatment, he suffered brain damage and developed severe dementia, sometimes lucid, sometimes confused.

When lucid, he could remember everyone and everything, but when confused, he couldn't even recognize his closest family members.

Even though William had hired the best medical team over the past six months, Jagger's condition showed no signs of improvement, which remained a painful spot in his heart.

After all, Jagger was the person who treated him best in this world.

Half an hour later, the car smoothly entered Serenity Haven Retreat. The place had a peaceful environment, tight security, and complete medical facilities - William had specifically arranged this recovery center for Jagger.

After getting out of the car, the director of Serenity Haven Retreat was already waiting and personally led William to Jagger's room.

When William reached the doorway, he immediately saw Jagger sitting in a recliner by the window, staring blankly at the plane trees outside.

His gray hair was neatly combed, but his eyes were cloudy, no longer showing any trace of his former commanding presence in the business world.

"Grandpa."

William walked in and called out softly, his voice stripped of all coldness, leaving only rare tenderness.

Hearing his voice, Jagger slowly turned his head. The moment he saw William, his cloudy eyes instantly lit up.

He shakily raised his hand and grabbed William's wrist. Though not strong, his grip was tight as he mumbled on and on.

"William, you're finally here. Do you remember Amelia from the Martinez family? Your engagement to Amelia was arranged by me personally. You can't forget! Hurry and pick a date to get engaged to Amelia and settle the marriage. Only then can I die in peace..."

The Martinez family, Amelia.

This made William's brows furrow tightly.

His engagement to Amelia had indeed been arranged by Jagger and Mason when he was a child, but he didn't like Amelia at all. Plus, now that he had confirmed his feelings for Isabella, he naturally wouldn't have any business marriage with the Martinez family.

Besides, his engagement to Amelia had already been canceled.

William crouched down, held his grandfather's thin hand, and patiently explained in a soft voice.

"Grandpa, I don't like Amelia. My engagement to her has been canceled. I won't marry her."

Hearing this, Jagger, who was usually gentle-tempered, suddenly became agitated.

He violently shook off William's hand, his face flushing red, breathing rapidly, and shouted.

"Canceled? Who permitted you to cancel it! Amelia is a good girl. You must get engaged to Amelia, you must marry her! If you dare disobey, I won't recognize you as my grandson!"

Jagger's voice trembled with emotion, and his body kept shaking.

The nearby caregiver quickly stepped forward to calm him, but William raised his hand to stop her.

William quietly watched Jagger's furious expression, feeling a wave of bitterness and helplessness wash over him.

Jagger was confused from his illness now, only remembering the old arrangement from years ago, unable to listen to any of his explanations.

If he insisted on arguing, it would probably only worsen Jagger's condition.

William fell silent for a moment, then could only temporarily compromise, coaxing softly.

"Alright, Grandpa, I'll listen to you. I'll find time to talk with Amelia about the engagement. Don't be angry, rest well. Getting upset isn't worth damaging your health."

Hearing William give in, Jagger's emotions gradually calmed down. He held his hand and rambled on about the past when the engagement was arranged, then soon fell drowsy from exhaustion, leaning back in the recliner.

William covered Jagger with a blanket and sat quietly beside him, his eyes full of frustration and conflict.

The only wife he recognized in this life was Isabella. No matter what, he could never marry Amelia.

But facing Jagger's seriously ill state, he couldn't bear to go completely against Jagger's wishes.

For now, he could only go along with Jagger's thinking temporarily.

As long as the Martinez family didn't make a scene in front of Jagger, Jagger would be fine.

Just then, the door was gently pushed open, and a woman elegantly dressed and wearing refined makeup walked in.

It was William's mother, Beatrice Grace.

After Mason died, Beatrice remarried a wealthy overseas businessman within six months. Since then, she rarely concerned herself with William's life, and their relationship had always been very distant, even stiff.

Beatrice only came back to visit William and Jagger during holidays or on a whim. There had been almost no normal warm exchanges between her and William.

Beatrice walked to William's side, her gaze sweeping over the sleeping Jagger on the bed.

"Jagger's condition still hasn't improved?"

"He's fine."

William replied flatly, not even glancing at her, the distance in his tone obvious.

Beatrice didn't mind his coldness and walked to the window on her own, straightening her sleeves before speaking.

"William, I came back this time because I heard from people in our circle that you've been surrounded by scandals lately, keeping a little secretary by your side and spoiling her rotten? I know your father died early and no one's been there to guide you, but you're the head of the Brown Group after all. When looking for a partner, you need to consider social standing. A secretary from an ordinary background isn't worthy of you."

Her words were full of contempt and disdain for Isabella, each sentence hitting William's sore spot.

Already in a bad mood, William's face instantly darkened, and the pressure around him dropped to freezing point.

He suddenly turned to look at Beatrice, his voice cold and cutting.

"My business is none of your concern. Since you've remarried, just live your own life. The Brown family's people and the Brown family's affairs have nothing to do with you."

His cold attitude took Beatrice aback, her face stiffening with displeasure.

"I'm your mother, how can I not be concerned? Besides, I'm doing this for your own good. That woman is of low status and can't help you at all. Only a prestigious family like the Martinez family is worthy of you."

"I said, I don't need it."

William cut off her words, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.

"Also, you can leave now. You're not welcome here."

He had not a shred of feeling for Beatrice.

When Mason died that year, Beatrice remarried without hesitation, abandoning him as a young child and the seriously ill Jagger, all for her own wealth and status.

This rift could never be healed in this lifetime.

Beatrice looked at William's cold and resolute profile, a flash of weak guilt crossing her heart, but more than that, she felt dissatisfied with his disobedience.

She opened her mouth, wanting to say more, but in the end, she just sighed and turned to leave the room.

The room became quiet again. William leaned against the wall, pinching the bridge of his nose with his fingertips, physically and mentally exhausted.