Chapter 165
Chapter 165
Roxanne couldn't believe that a country bumpkin somehow had over two hundred grand stashed away.
Roxanne was gobsmacked.
At the same time, she had mad respect for her father-in-law.
She thought Vincent was totally awesome. To have saved so much money, he must be living a super
frugal life.
She clutched her bank card tightly, and with determination in her eyes told Harrison, “The down
payment for a house in our neighborhood is about three hundred thousand dollars.”
“We just need to save a bit more, then we can buy another house. We can take care of the mortgage
and let Vincent live comfortably there. He's been waiting for me to get healthy so I can give him a
grandchild. Imagine how great it’d be for us all to live together!”
Harrison, who was driving, corrected her, “Not a grandson, but a granddaughter. My dad prefers little
girls.”
“Right, right, right.” Roxanne laughed.
A lot of traditional folks prefer boys to carry on the family lineage, and don't like girls.
For instance, Chloe's ex-husband’s family didn't like Aria.
Roxanne was glad her father-in-law didn't carry such narrow-minded traditional views.
Throughout the journey, Roxanne and Harrison chatted and laughed.
“Harrison, if our first baby is a boy, let’s try for another the following year. We could keep trying each
year until we have a girl.”
Right now, she was twenty-eight.
If they had a baby every year, she figured she could keep going till at least thirty-five.
Having Harrison's children was something she'd do willingly.
Harrison, who was driving, frowned, “Even if our first is a boy, we won't be having any more. Childbirth
is tough and can cause significant harm to your health.”
The Rodriguez family rule was to always cherish women.
The first rule of cherishing women was not to treat them as baby factories.
Women in the Rodriguez family must be treated like queens when giving birth.
Of course, even without giving birth, they should also be treated like queens.
Roxanne retorted, “What’s so hard about giving birth? I'm not delicate. I definitely want to give Vincent
a cute little granddaughter.”
“If your first baby isn't a girl.” Harrison said while driving, “My dad probably won't let you have a
second.”
“Why?”
“My mom almost died giving birth to me. After that, my dad said the daughters-in-law of the Rodriguez
family only need to have one child. He doesn't want them to take risks.”
Otherwise, with their wealth, there's no way he'd be an only child.
Vincent actually liked having many children in the house. He thought it made things more lively.
As Harrison drove, he shared many of Vincent's thoughts with Roxanne.
Roxanne was even more curious, “Vincent lived in the country all his life, yet his thinking is so
progressive. He doesn't seem like a country bumpkin at all.”
The lie was getting bigger and bigger. Harrison didn't know how he would cover it up in the future.
He responded half-jokingly, “My dad is an educated farmer. His farming methods are different from the
average Joe, so is his mindset.”
“I can tell.”
“…”
“Harrison, I was thinking, should our second house be bigger? Like, a larger flat. That way, it’d be more
convenient for us all to live together.”
“A big flat isn't as good as a villa.”
“A villa would be better, but we can't afford it. If we go for a slightly more average large flat, with a down
payment of about five hundred thousand dollars, we should be able to handle it. Actually, I do want to
have more kids, particularly girls. You and Vincent don't need to worry about me. I'm in great health. I
should be able to handle three or four kids. I just wish our home could be more lively.”
Harrison pondered on this.
Even if Roxanne was willing, regardless of whether the first child was a boy or girl, he and his father
would definitely not let her have another.
As for buying a house…
Since Roxanne mentioned a large flat, he might as well just get her a villa and get it over with.
That way, she wouldn't have to stress about buying a house.
He would take care of this.
A few days later, when Roxanne returned from a business trip at the factory, Sebastian confronted her.
It was already November, but Seraphim Haven wasn't cold. The wind was just slightly chilly.
After all, the climate here was warm, so winter always arrived late.
In the cool breeze, Roxanne saw Sebastian standing at the entrance of her company.
He looked hesitant, not knowing what to do,
His leg was not fully healed, so he limped as he walked.
About a month ago, Sebastian suddenly came to give her a property deed and even apologized to her.
At the time, Roxanne could hardly believe her eyes.
How could this man, who never cared about her wellbeing, suddenly change?
“Roxanne!”
Sebastian's gaze no longer held the ferocity it used to, instead, it was filled with a sense of guilt that
Roxanne couldn't understand.
Why would Sebastian feel guilty towards her?
Bad guys are always bad guys, but how could he suddenly repent?
“Roxanne, I need to talk to you about something.”
Seeing Roxanne’s furrowed brow, Sebastian quickly explained, “Don't worry, I'm not here to cause
trouble or force you to pay pension money.”
“Then come in and talk.”
Roxanne turned and walked into the company.
She was still wary of Sebastian and found it hard to warm up to him, but he was her father after all.
Once inside, she found a chair for Sebastian and personally poured him a glass of water.
She remembered that Sebastian used to love strong coffee. He would always have a cup of it when he
went to play poker.
Roxanne placed a glass of water in front of him and sat across from him.
"I didn’t make you any coffee. The elders shouldn’t have too much strong coffee, messes with your
sleep. So, you might wanna cut back."
Sebastian was instantly reduced to a blubbering mess.
The year he left Roxanne, she was only four.
At that time, other kids were still being coddled by mommy and daddy, but after he and Roxanne's mom
divorced, he ditched her.
Her grandma was a misogynist and was always nasty to her. And then she kicked the bucket when
Roxanne was only seven.
After that, there was no one to look after her.
What a selfish jerk he was back then! He built a new family but never brought her to the city, instead
leaving her to fend for herself in the village.
What a cold-hearted bastard he was to her!
Despite all this, she still remembered his preferences and habits.
Sebastian couldn't stop the waterworks.
Roxanne couldn’t understand how such a cold-hearted man just a month or two ago could suddenly
change so drastically?
Roxanne was confused, "Your tears are throwing me for a loop."
"I'm so sorry."
Roxanne didn't know how to respond, so she changed the subject, "I plan to sell the house you gave
me and give you the money."
"No need!"
Sebastian waved his hands frantically and handed over a bank card.
"I wanted to talk to you about the house today. I heard you’re planning to buy another one. I have some
spare cash. Here, take it. The password is your birthday."
Roxanne frowned, "How do you know I want to buy a house?"
"Your husband…"
Oh, he said too much!
Sebastian had found out about Harrison's true identity.
Harrison had solved his retirement problem and made him see the true face of his son, Nathaniel. He
realized that Nathaniel was a heartless jerk, and it was his daughter who was the real deal.
"My husband?" Roxanne was more confused, "When did Harrison contact you?"
Sebastian couldn't keep it a secret anymore, but he gave a vague answer, "Your brother Nathaniel
almost killed me over some stuff. It was your husband who saved me and showed me how evil he is."
"Is this money from Harrison?" Roxanne glanced at the bank card in front of her.
"No!" Sebastian frantically waved his hands again, "This is the pension that Nathaniel had to pay me all
at once when Harrison helped me sue him. Don’t worry, I've saved some for myself."
"…"
"I heard from Harrison in passing that you guys were planning to buy a house but were short on cash,
so I thought I’d give you this money." Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.
"How much is in there?"
"A hundred and something grand."
"Nathaniel was willing to pay you so much alimony at once?"
"All thanks to Harrison helping me sue him. It was court-ordered."
Thinking of Harrison's connections in court, Roxanne believed Sebastian's words.
"So, has Harrison been going behind my back and contacting you in private?"
"Don't blame Harrison. He was trying to mend our relationship. He knows you've been traumatized
since childhood and hopes you can let go of the past pain."
"…"
"I truly am sorry."
The guiltier he felt, the more Sebastian spoke.
Roxanne fell into deep thought.
Harrison was really good to her!
To help her heal her psychological trauma, he had secretly been in contact with Sebastian.
Even a villain like Sebastian could change his attitude because of Harrison.
How did Harrison manage to do it?
For her, Harrison had silently done so much!
Tears welled up in Roxanne's eyes.
The change in her father's attitude, and Harrison’s silent efforts, both touched her.
She would definitely repay Harrison's love for her in this life.
She wasn't as strong as she appeared to be. She sniffled.
"Roxanne, can you forgive me?"
Roxanne lowered her head, her tears dropping onto her pants, "Let's let bygones be bygones."
"Have you forgiven me?" Sebastian was overjoyed, his eyes welling up with tears.
Roxanne didn't answer, seemingly implying her agreement.
The power of family ties is always strong.
At this moment, Vincent happened to arrive at Roxanne's company on his tricycle to deliver lunch. He
shouted loudly.
"Lunchtime!"
Roxanne stood up, "Harrison's dad has brought lunch. You can leave after you eat. As for the money in
this card, you keep it. I can earn my own money." She shoved the bank card back into Sebastian's
hand and left the room.
Sebastian watched her leave.
The father of Seraphim Haven's wealthiest man was delivering lunch to all of Roxanne's company
employees on a tricycle?
Sebastian's second wife was the daughter of a rich businessman in Seraphim Haven.
Their wealth was nothing compared to the Rodriguez family.
If the Rodriguez Group was an elephant, then his wife's family business was an ant.
However, Sebastian's father-in-law always looked down on others because of his wealth. He always
felt superior and had no respect for others.
But the richest man in Seraphim Haven was different. The Rodriguez family didn't seem to possess any
of the arrogance of the rich.
Vincent, who was currently bringing lunch in from his tricycle, seemed very friendly.
His demeanor and manners impressed Sebastian greatly.
At lunch, Roxanne introduced Sebastian to Vincent.
"Vincent, this is my father, Sebastian."
Being called "father" by his daughter made Sebastian a teary mess again. For a moment, he even
forgot to pretend not to recognize Vincent.
Vincent still kept Harrison's instruction in mind. He pretended not to know Sebastian, saying, "So,
you're Anne's dad. Join us for lunch, will you?"
Truth be told, they've met before.
It was because of his concerns for Roxanne's childhood trauma that Vincent had secretly met
Sebastian.
When they were having lunch, Roxanne had to take a call, leaving Sebastian and Vincent alone.
Sebastian was quite in awe of Vincent, "President Rodriguez, you must be busy, right? How come you
have time to deliver lunch here every day?"
And the quality of the lunch was just amazing, including a starter, main course, dessert, even a fine
selection of fruit.
Vincent replied, "I'm worried about Anne's health, wanted to boost her nutrition a bit. I'm hoping for her
to give me a granddaughter. If she doesn't get in shape before getting pregnant, she'll suffer later."
Sebastian nodded repeatedly, "President Rodriguez, you really think of everything. Roxanne is lucky to
have you. Anne really doesn't deserve Harrison."
"What are you talking about?" Vincent disagreed, "What's wrong with Anne? Harrison is really lucky to
marry such a good daughter-in-law like Anne. She's like my own daughter."
Sebastian knew Roxanne was great, but he still felt it was out of his league.
Learning that Roxanne was so valued by the Rodriguez family, Sebastian was very pleased, "President
Rodriguez, I will definitely educate Roxanne to be a good wife and serve you well."
Vincent frowned, "Your traditional views don't apply in our house. We see husband and wife as equals.
Please don't say these things to Anne."
Sebastian felt a bit awkward. He just couldn't hit it off with President Rodriguez.
Vincent was a bit annoyed, "And you're not in a position to discipline Roxanne. You're just her
biological father. But we're willing to give you a chance to make things right. As long as you treat
Roxanne well, the Rodriguez family will treat you well too."
Sebastian nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes."
Vincent said, "Stop feeling inferior all the time and talking to me with such humility. I won't look down on
you. I hope we can get along well on the basis of sincerity. It's better for everyone."
Today, Sebastian learned another lesson.
Real rich people, indeed, have great wisdom.
Everything they say is convincing.
Sebastian believed Roxanne won't suffer in such a family.
He curiously asked, "President Rodriguez, when are you planning to tell Roxanne that you're the
richest man in Seraphim Haven? She'll be thrilled."
Vincent said, "See, you still haven't taken my words to heart. I've told you not to feel inferior all the time.
You don't need to call me President Rodriguez. Just call me Vincent."
Sebastian was deeply touched.
Vincent, being the richest man in Seraphim Haven, still respected him so much. It warmed his heart.
Vincent continued, "You don't care enough about your own daughter. You don't understand her at all. If
she found out the real identities of me and Harrison, she might not be happy, she might even be angry."