Chapter 252

Nolan and Wray were caught in a bitter rivalry.

Meanwhile, Norwood, with Hector at his side, went to meet Kieran White and his granddaughter.

The moment Norwood arrived, Kieran greeted him with a warm smile. "Norwood, at last! My coffee's almost cold."

Norwood smiled, shaking his hand. "Got held up on the way, old friend. I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long."

The two elderly men exchanged a few warm words before they took their seats.

Norwood's eyes soon landed on Trudy White, seated gracefully beside her grandfather.

With delicate features and a calm, refined air, Trudy radiated poise.

To Norwood, she was far above Eleanor-who, in his eyes, was only a pretty face.

If Nolan married Trudy, Norwood believed he would finally settle down.

With that thought, he offered her a warm smile."Trudy,you grow more graceful with each passing day."

Trudy lowered her gaze shyly, a soft smile playing on her lips. "You flatter me, Mr. Stewart."

Her modesty pleased Norwood even more.

Turning back to Kieran, he spoke directly. "I've come today on behalf of my unruly grandson, Nolan, to formally propose to your granddaughter, Trudy."

Both sides already knew the purpose of this meeting.Now the words were spoken aloud.

Trudy,who had long harbored feelings for Nolan,blushed at the proposal.

Kieran,too,was pleased.

The White family did not hold as much sway in business as the Stewarts.

An alliance through marriage would bring great advantage.

Still, he pretended to hesitate. "Norwood, I've heard Nolan is fond of someone. Is that true?"

Norwood gave a dismissive snort, his tone firm."That woman is of no consequence. As heir to the Stewart family, Nolan doesn't get to decide his own marriage."

That was all Kieran needed to hear.

He set down his coffee cup with a smile. "Since you put it that way, I have no reason to refuse. For Trudy,marrying into your family is an honor."

At that, Norwood signaled Hector.

Hector immediately pulled out a neatly prepared engagement agreement from his briefcase and placed it on the table with care.

Norwood's expression softened into satisfaction.

"Here is the agreement. Please review it. If there are no issues, we'll consider the matter settled today.Next week is the Stewart Group's centennial celebration.I will announce their engagement before all our guests then."

Kieran read the document carefully several times. At last,satisfied,he nodded in approval.

With the formalities complete, Norwood-whose health was not the strongest-took his leave.

Once the room was left to just grandfather and granddaughter, Trudy's shyness slipped away. She tugged gently at Kieran's sleeve. "Grandpa,shouldn't we ask for Nolan's opinion first? He's so attached to Eleanor Warren... Will he accept this?"

Kieran's response mirrored Norwood's exactly. "Men often keep casual women by their side, but they never matter. You will be Nolan's wife. As long as you hold your rightful place, the rest are nothing but distractions-easily removed."

When she heard her grandfather's words, Trudy's worries eased.

Grandpa was right.

She had both the time and the means to make Nolan hers-completely, in body and in heart.