Chapter 1449 Promote
Johan coughed twice and let out a cold snort. Then, he looked at Nirvan and Kieffer and asked, “Do you know why I called you two here?”
Both of them didn’t reply. After a long silence, one of them glanced at Colston and said, “Is it because of what we joked about with Colston’s girlfriend last time?”
Amused, Johan said, “Good that you’re not dumb. Since you know, I can get down to it. From now on, you are grounded; you’re not allowed to go out nor receive any money until the day Colston becomes the head of the family and decides to release you. Otherwise, get the hell out of the family.”
Colston lowered his gaze; Johan was declaring him the future head of the Moore family.
However, he didn’t feel happy about it. He merely wanted to stand up for himself. He thought Nirvan and Kieffer had gone too far, but he did not expect to be dragged into the vortex.
“We’re sorry, Grandpa.”
“Grandpa, you…”
“Leave. Just the sight of you two upsets me.” Johan dismissed them casually. Colston stared at Johan, his gaze remained lowered, and there was not a trace of emotion on his handsome face.
Then, Johan looked at him and said, “Colston, what do you think about Flynt’s matter?”
Colston hesitated for a moment and replied, “As the saying goes, forgive and forget. Although we’re a reputable family here, some of us have ruined the family’s reputation and status these years. As a result, the Moore family is no longer respected by others.”
“The Moore family’s era has slowly come to an end, and a new era is about to come.”
Ronard was breathless with anxiety. He couldn’t believe Colston had the guts to say such things, not afraid of angering Johan.
However, Johan was not angry but smiled and said instead, “You sure don’t disappoint me. You’re courageous and resourceful. Then tell me, what should we do next to maintain our foothold in the Capital City?”
Colston hesitated for a moment and replied, “There is only one way. We must retreat in order to advance and maintain the family’s reputation.”
Johan muttered to himself and chuckled, “You’re right; you’re smarter than them. The greatest mistake is to fight a hopeless battle; the loss will outweigh the gain.”
“When you’re not strong enough, keep silent and defeat the enemy in one strike when you’re capable enough.”
“If I’m in charge, what can I do?” Colston asked.
“What do you want to do?”
Johan smiled; no one has probably dared think so. Even if they did, they wouldn’t dare to bring it up. However, a concubine’s son, Colston, must’ve suffered a lot in his years of living in the Moore family.
But he already knew to stay humble and keep a low profile at a young age. Such maturity was rare.© NôvelDrama.Org - All rights reserved.
Because of this, Johan decided to give him a chance.
“No one dares to go against the leader,” Colston blurted. Johan’s heart skipped a beat, and he wondered where he was going with it.
Johan coughed, and Ronard hurriedly brought the spittoon over. After clearing his throat, Johan turned to look at Colston and said, “Tell me, what do you want to do?”
“I don’t want to do anything. I only want to be with Louisa. But if I have to pay the price for that, I will serve the Moore family willingly. I can wait until you finish training the new head of the Moore family, and during this time, I will do my best to reinstate our family name.”
Colston’s eyes were fathomless as he looked at Johan, his attitude indifferent. Johan spaced out a little, falling silent for a moment. It was as if he could see his third son, Flavian, in Colston.
After a long while, Johan asked, “Tell me, is the Moore family not worth staying? Why don’t you want to stay at all?”
“Grandpa, you know very well that the Moore family manor is just like the royal palace. Once one enters, they can never escape; even if they do, they will leave a different man.”
“Such treacherous life does not suit me. I’m not too fond of this kind of environment, and I don’t wish my children to grow up into boastful and secular people.”
“They will not compete for fame and wealth, nor will they fight for power and self-interest, living a life full of deceit.”
“I wish to live an ordinary life, and for my children as well.”
Johan laughed, “If you don’t have fame, wealth, status, or power, what else can you do?”
“Aren’t you fighting now because of a woman?”
“After enduring humiliation for twenty years, you’re going to give up everything you built?”
“That’s different. Since I can take the liberty to send out the invitation, it means I have already thought of a way out. What’s the worst thing that can happen if you don’t give me an opportunity?”
“Louisa doesn’t have a family. She grew up like me, living in an orphanage. If something were to happen to me, I’m sure she would follow.”
It was apparent Colston had already thought of a way out. Still lost in thought, Johan couldn’t help but think of Flavian.
Colston was a chip off the old block. He had Flavian’s personality and temper, always stubborn and unwilling to give in.
Johan’s heart twinged as he reminisced about the past. He really wanted to do it once more, throwing the pair standing in front of him out. However, he was too old, and he had no one to rely on. He thought his sons must have hated him for being a busybody; none of his remaining sons stayed by his side.
He no longer had the strength to chase Colston away.
“I will give you three years. If you can restore the Moore family’s name and gain a foothold in Capital City within three years, I will grant you two wishes,” he said.
Colston replied, “Thank you for your kindness, Grandpa.”
“I’m doing this for the Moore family. From now on, only I can intervene in your decision. Of course, since I have been bedridden for a long time, I may no longer be aware of what is happening outside. Besides, this is your time. I am too old to keep up with you, so I will step back and only talk to you occasionally. I will not criticize you for your actions. Feel free to do whatever you want.”
“In that case, I’ll tell you my first wish.”
Colston’s words humored Johan, “You haven’t completed your task yet.”
“I’ll take the deposit first,” Colston said. Johan thought for a moment and said, “Alright then, tell me.”
“I wish to marry Louisa. No one can bully her once she joins the Moore family as my wife. She will be the mistress of the Moore family within these three years, helping me manage the matters and conduct the insides of the Moore family manor.”
“Only then can I be at ease dealing with the affairs outside.”
Johan spaced out a little once more. He didn’t expect Colston to be more decisive and challenging than Flavian; he was no all show and no go.
Johan stared at Louisa calmly and asked her, “How old are you now?”
Louisa answered, “I’m twenty.”
“Twenty past your birthday?”
“Yes.”
“So you go to college?”
“Yes, I’m in college.”
“Alright, I’ll grant Colston’s wish to marry you. Ronard, announce that they will move in here and continue to stay here after I pass.”
Ronard stared at Johan and wondered if it meant he was promoting Colston.