Chapter 122: Chapter 122: Severing Adoption Ties
Watching the two argue more fiercely, Ashley Shaw steps forward a few steps and gently coughs twice.
"Grandpa Prescott, Aunt Jennings."
Only then do they notice her.
Elder Prescott’s angry expression immediately turns into a smile, as if nothing had happened, he walks forward with a smile.
"Ashley, when did you arrive? I didn’t see you. Are you hungry? Shall I have them start serving dishes?"
Ashley Shaw hasn’t spoken yet and Claudia Jennings, unwilling to maintain a façade of peace, strides over directly questioning her.
"Ashley Shaw, why didn’t you clarify at the hospital the other day that Warren was injured blocking acid for you? You caused trouble yourself, why implicate others? How can you be so unaware? I always thought Warren was just unlucky!"
Elder Prescott’s face turns frighteningly grim.
"Claudia Jennings! Shut up!"
"Why should I shut up? I’m just upset! Warren didn’t start this mess, he was just doing a good deed, why can’t I say even a word about her? Dad, aren’t you being too biased?"
Claudia Jennings is very angry, furious at Elder Prescott’s unfairness.
Even angrier that Ashley Shaw knew the truth, yet hid it at the hospital.
Leading her to mistakenly believe it was Warren’s bad luck, and she made several visits to the temple to pray for three days consequently.
Today, she hadn’t intended to do much, but after complaining to Elder Prescott a bit, he jumped to Ashley Shaw’s defense abruptly.
She had been pampered, naturally unable to endure others glaring at her because of a housekeeper’s daughter.
So the fire in her suddenly surged, unable to be suppressed.
Elder Prescott thoroughly exasperated.
Things have happened, Warren was doing a good deed, now he’s healed and discharged, he seriously can’t understand why Claudia Jennings is going berserk.
"What bias? He’s my grandson, what favouritism is there? Both children are the same to me!"
Claudia Jennings was about to point out Elder Prescott’s favoritism towards Ashley Shaw, when Ashley suddenly speaks: "Grandpa Prescott, Aunt Jennings, please don’t fight because of me, I have a solution, see if it’s feasible."
Claudia Jennings furrows her brow: "What solution?"
"It’s this."
Ashley Shaw raises her right hand holding a piece of paper.
Suspiciously, Claudia Jennings looks over, seeing Ashley Shaw unbeknownst to her has hand-written something, a few lines on A4 paper.
She leans in to see that it’s an agreement terminating the adoption.
Claudia Jennings becomes visibly stunned as she reads the words clearly.
Today’s anger initially stems from her concern for Warren, she’s not genuinely targeting Ashley Shaw.
Her reason also tells her that the true culprit of the incident is the one who threw the acid, not Ashley Shaw.
Moreover, Ashley Shaw scored excellently, she bragged to wealthy ladies two days ago, saying both her children, one biological, one adopted, ranked top twenty in the province.
Those ladies praised her competent education, shining her reputation.
Now Ashley Shaw presents this agreement terminating adoption, she instantly feels at a loss.
Elder Prescott, who is farsighted and needs glasses for chess, couldn’t clearly see the words but sensing Claudia Jennings’ sudden silence feels something amiss.
"What’s written?"
Ashley Shaw introduces: "It’s an agreement terminating adoption."
Elder Prescott’s expression also instantly freezes.
"Wh-what agreement?"
"Terminating adoption agreement."
Elder Prescott’s face darkens.
"Ashley, don’t make a mess! It hasn’t come to this? That incident wasn’t your doing, not your fault!"
Claudia Jennings moved her lips, finally squeezing out: "I was just saying a few things to you, what are you doing?"
Ashley Shaw maintains a smile.
"No, Grandpa Prescott, Aunt Jennings, actually I’ve wanted to give you this agreement for a long time, it’s not much related to today’s issue."
"Since my mother passed away, I’ve brought you lots of trouble, feeling uncomfortable about it."
"Previously I wasn’t an adult, couldn’t terminate adoption, now I am, it’s time for this agreement."
"Even if I terminate the relationship, I’ll always remember your kindness, and forever hold gratitude. If I encounter someone like me needing help, when I am capable, I’ll also pass on the goodwill you once showed me..."
Elder Prescott interrupts her.
"Ashley, you don’t need to terminate the relationship, your mother didn’t mean that."
Ashley Shaw nods: "I know Aunt Jennings didn’t mean that, I also understand she was just concerned for Warren. Warren’s injury, indeed because of me, it’s me owing him. Sorry, Aunt Jennings, I should’ve clarified to you then."
Claudia Jennings speaks up: "You know I didn’t mean that, why did you still write this? If word gets out, it’ll appear as though I’m kicking you out."
"Rest assured, outwardly, I’ll truthfully say it was proposed by me to terminate adoption."
Claudia Jennings remains silent.
Her pride disallows bowing to a housekeeper’s daughter, even though this girl has become exceptionally good now.
Moreover, this adopted daughter, she’s never really liked.
Since several years ago when she shoved Rosalind Lynch into the pool, she held dislike.
"I don’t agree!" Elder Prescott concisely states: "Keep the agreement, once I recognized you as granddaughter, there’ll be no change."
"Grandpa Prescott, I know your kind affection for me, but please understand, I cannot continually receive unwarranted benefits. But rest assured, I’ll still visit you often."
Ashley Shaw still wanted to say, for using their resources, she’ll repay, but realizing this might sadden Grandpa Prescott, she refrains.
Elder Prescott turns away, eyes reddened.
"Anyway, I simply disagree."
"Grandpa Prescott." Ashley Shaw wraps Elder Prescott’s thin, bony arm, saying: "I don’t want to feel ashamed every time we meet. Please agree! A paper agreement means nothing, but it allows me to face you more frankly. After termination, I’ll still call you Grandpa, and you’ll always be my Grandpa."
Elder Prescott, upon hearing this, feels somewhat softened inside.
"You...you’ll continue calling me Grandpa, continue visiting me?"
"Certainly, don’t you know me by now?"
Ashley Shaw’s face beams with genuine warmth.
Elder Prescott still reluctant to let go, though he knows if he doesn’t, with Ashley Shaw’s mindset, she’ll get consumed feeling indebted to them.
But suddenly, a flash crosses his mind.
If Ashley Shaw is no longer his granddaughter, could she then become his granddaughter-in-law?