Chapter 640: Chapter 341: A Guilty Conscience
When this was mentioned, the expressions of Jane Quinlan’s parents did indeed become somewhat awkward.
Senior Forrest saw this and quickly attempted to smooth things over: "Here’s the situation, I also don’t know what the customs are in your area.
I just feel that if we follow your customs, it would be unfair to Jane.
So, after discussing with Kay Forrest, we decided to take the matter into our own hands.
In that case, for the bride price, I’ll provide a cheque for 88,880,000.
This cheque is for the two of you to use.
Additionally, on Jane’s side, I’ll give her 4% of the shares in the company.
There is a three-story villa of about 600 square meters in Anchester City Center, and one building from a newly developed property on the outskirts of the city, which Jane can choose from when the time comes.
For the car, I won’t insist, let Jane choose herself, and I’ll pay for it.
How do the two of you from the Quinlan family feel about this arrangement?"
Senior Forrest was actually somewhat worried as well, afraid that the other party would feel that Jane was being shortchanged.
However, at this moment, Jane’s parents were so stunned they didn’t dare to speak.
Kay Forrest laughed: "Uncle, Auntie, could you two give us your thoughts?"
Jane, sitting on the side, couldn’t help but laugh: "Uncle, you’ve scared my parents."
How could they not be scared? This bride price suddenly turned them into billionaires.
After a good while, Jane’s mom came back to her senses and nudged her husband with her elbow, indeed at a loss and unsure of how to respond.
Jane’s dad furrowed his brows and turned to glance at Jane before finally saying to Senior Forrest: "Dear in-laws, we don’t want anything.
We only have one request, and it’s more of a plea: we hope that the Forrest family will be good to our girl.
Although our family circumstances are average, our daughter has never suffered under our care since she was little.
Now that she’s grown up and about to get married, we, as parents, share the same wish.
As long as our daughter is happy, we have no other demands.
All these bride prices, houses, cars, they are of no use to us.
Jane’s mom has her pension.
I’m about to retire soon too.
We, as an old couple living in a small place like Rongford, couldn’t possibly spend all that pension money.
Previously, we thought that young people nowadays have it tough.
Buying a house is also a great pressure, and we didn’t know what kind of partner Jane would find.
So, her mother and I pinched pennies to save some money, hoping to help her with the down payment for a house when she gets married.
But now it seems we’ve been worrying unnecessarily.
Children and grandchildren will have their own blessings."
Tears swirled in Jane’s eyes as she listened to her dad’s words.
In the past, she didn’t cherish her father’s and mother’s love.
But now things were different; now she was about to become a mother herself, and only after two months of closely depending on this little life did she truly realize the weight of her parents’ doting love and care.
It was precisely because of this that she felt even more moved when she heard her parents say such words.
Senior Forrest probably didn’t expect Jane’s dad to refuse, and for a moment he was also somewhat embarrassed.
"Dear father-in-law, this is the custom for marriage.
The Forrest family is taking a daughter-in-law, and the Quinlan family is marrying off a daughter.
According to the ancestral rules of our forefathers, it’s only proper for us to give you the bride price.
No matter what, you must accept the bride price money, what do you say?"
Kay Forrest also said: "Uncle, Auntie, we have to follow the rules, right?"
Jane, sitting on the side, felt that if the conversation continued this way, it would definitely fall apart.
Despite her mother’s usual decisiveness and fondness for money, she would definitely not be careless about her daughter’s major life event.
So, she wouldn’t dare make a decision regarding the money.
Her dad, on the other hand, was very stubborn; it was absolutely impossible for him to accept this money.
So... She had to speak up to mediate, otherwise, the elders from both families would feel very awkward.
"Uncle, the bride price you’re offering is too much; it truly has scared my parents.
How about this, don’t give eighty-eight million, just give five hundred thousand.
That would still be the most respectable bride price in our area."
Of course, Grayson Forrest was unwilling; how could the Forrest family’s reputation be preserved then?
It would be laughed at if it got out.
He was about to say something when he only heard Jane’s dad say: "Yes, yes, that’s good, that’s very good."
Grayson Forrest looked at Kay Forrest: "Where did you find such a good daughter-in-law, a family that doesn’t covet wealth.
If it were some other family, they might find it too little."
"Our family has so much money we can’t possibly spend it all.
We have health insurance for medical care, and pensions for food and drink; we really can’t spend that much money."
The two families were at a stalemate, having talked for a full hour.
Finally, it was decided that the Forrest Family would give the Quinlan family a check for two million, plus a villa in Rongford.
As for what was given to Jane Quinlan, the original decision stood.
With that, the negotiations were thoroughly completed.
Afterward, both families went to eat together at a restaurant.
Jane’s parents were dining for the first time in such a high-end restaurant and couldn’t help but be extremely reserved.
But fortunately, with their precious daughter beside them, they didn’t make too much of a fool of themselves.
After the meal, Kay Forrest and Jane Quinlan took their parents to the presidential suite of the hotel.
As soon as Jane’s mother entered, she couldn’t help but exclaim, "Oh my, is this really a hotel room?
I’ve never even seen such a place on TV, it’s too nice."
Jane’s father reverted to his taciturn nature at this point, silent, just looking around.
After a tour, he asked Kay Forrest as if something dawned on him, "When we came up earlier, I heard them calling you ’young master’?"
Kay Forrest chuckled, "This hotel belongs to my family."
"My goodness," Jane’s mother exclaimed in surprise as she looked at Kay Forrest, "It’s your family’s?"
"Yes, and if you ever want to come to Anchester for a visit, no matter how many people you bring, there will be a place for everyone to stay."
Jane’s mother swallowed hard and said to Jane’s father, "Old Quinlan, do you think our in-laws might be laughing at us for being fools back at home?"
Jane’s father gave her a look, "You better just not talk, go on, help Jane with heating water.
I’m going to have a cup of tea with my son-in-law."
Jane’s mother laughed and complied. It was just her nature, but still, she turned to go find Jane.
That day was truly fulfilling.
The next day, Kay Forrest had wanted to take Jane’s parents out again, but with Jane’s father insisting on going home, Kay had no choice but to arrange for someone to drive them back.
Before they got into the car, Jane’s father pulled Jane aside and advised, "Jane, we are not children anymore, soon to be married, be more sensible and less willful in the future.
Once you’re in your husband’s family, you have to learn how to get along with others.
I think your father-in-law is a good man, try to get along with him.
Don’t be greedy for money nor only do things that make you disliked, and when there’s nothing better to do, learn some manners and don’t embarrass Kay.
This is your father’s expectation, got it?"
Jane sniffed and nodded, holding onto her father’s hand, "I know, Dad, don’t worry. I will do my best, and I won’t let you worry."
After seeing the older couple off, Kay Forrest stepped forward to hold Jane’s shoulder, "Alright, don’t get all emotional, they will be back in a few days."
"It’s different, by then I’ll officially be part of the Forrest family."
"Aren’t you already?"
Jane gave him a look, "Now, I am still me."
Kay Forrest sighed and nodded, "Alright alright, you are you, fine. Don’t give me such big eyes, it’s scary."
Jane pinched him, and the two of them laughed and frolicked as they got into the car and headed to the company.
After work in the afternoon, Kay Forrest and Jane Quinlan were ready to leave, but Wendy was still at her seat.
Jane asked, "Wendy, aren’t you getting off work?"
Usually, by this time, even if she didn’t leave, her things would be packed up.
But today, her desk was scattered with documents.
"Ah? I’ve got something on tonight, I’ll leave later on."
Half an hour after the two left, Wendy looked at her watch, felt it was about time, and went downstairs to drive to Evelyn Claire’s place.
Arriving downstairs at Evelyn’s building, she got out of the car and took the copy of Evelyn’s resume from her bag. She looked at it once, it was the right place, she lived in 302.
This was an old building from the past in Anchester, with no elevator. She climbed the stairs to the door of 302, confirmed it was correct, and knocked.
Soon, the door was opened from the inside by Evelyn Claire herself.
Seeing Wendy, she was very surprised, "Wendy? How did you find your way here?"
"I’ve come to ask you something, aren’t you going to invite me in to sit?"
Evelyn hesitated for a moment, "Uh, my place is a bit messy, please wait a moment. I’ll take you out for some milk tea."
After saying this, she shut the door with a slam and went inside to change her clothes.
Wendy stood at the door, her expression cooling a few degrees. She’s inviting her out for milk tea?
Evelyn Claire is notoriously stingy; she never treats anyone when going out.
And now she’s offering to treat? This must be the legendary guilty conscience.