Chapter 297: A puppet of my grandfather

Zara reminisced about Fourie looking at eight, "I still feel like yesterday when they chased each other for a fried chicken drumstick."

Zara's mother wiped the corner of her eyes feeling emotional, "They grew up so soon."

On-demand, Noah held Norah whose eyes were widened thinking Noah was kissing her in front of them but she smiled when he kissed her forehead.

Geoff and Sarah were happy with Noah, his family and friends circle. He felt assured that he wasn't supporting the wrong ones.

Moran complained, "Dad, because of you all, I don't have a close friend and not even a girlfriend."

While elders chuckled, Zara gave heads up, "This Fourie will not allow anybody between them. You don't stand a chance. I guess you have to try to befriend Brother Alan or Brother Isaac."

He knew he couldn't befriend the iceberg, Alan Morgan. Isaac Ross was distant to everyone excluding a few so Moran knew they weren't going to be easily acquainted. "No worries, Teeny weeny is there for me to annoy."

Madam Hanes suggested, "Why don't you two become friends?"

Zara and Moran chuckled, "We already know each other, we are schoolmates." But they had never really interacted much.

"Hey little ones, I'm hungry." Zara called them and four gave her OK sign.

In the split second, Fourie left together leaving their partners. "When are we going on the quadruple date?" Eva excitedly asked the other three and walked ahead.

Norah slowly walked behind everyone so Roxy spoke to her, "Hey, I'm Roxy. Rian's fiancee."

Norah smiled, "I'm Norah Hanes. Noah's..." She paused without knowing what to say.

Roxy filled it, "Noah's love. Don't be nervous around us. You will slowly get to know us better. And get used to these close friends' craziness."

Norah nodded and saw three teasing Noah.

All had a lavish dinner together while Fourie entertained everyone. It was a whole new experience for the Hanes family.

Two couples left while Aria spoke to Goeff seriously for sometime before leaving with Alan.

Geoff spoke to Noah which his parents already knew. Later, the family of four bid the Wood family on a good note.

--

Hanes Mansion

By the time Goeff and family reached their mansion, Elder Hanes got the wind where they went for dinner.

"Stop right there."

Indomitable tone paused them and the smiles they had vanished too.

Sarah and Norah unknowingly trembled.

Geoff had thought the battle might start the next day.

Moran who got to know it was always his grandfather controlled everyone and his father was also a victim of that thought to be bold instead of making up excuses.

"How dare you meet a random family?"

Geoff quickly clutched Moran's hand to stop him from talking back or talking rashly.

Geoff lied, "President Wood helped Norah when she was attacked so we had gone to thank them."

Elder Hanes's eyes narrowed at Norah who had lowered her gaze, trembling and holding her mother's hand.

Elder Hanes cued his assistant and ordered in a low voice, "I want all the details about that man."

His assistant bowed and went aside to make a call.

"Who gave you permission to meet them? If I find something fishy, you know the consequences... Geoff!"

Geoff sighed and sent the other three to their rooms. He went to study to reflect on himself staying up all night under his father's men.

Except for Sarah nobody knew how many times he stood up for their children and stayed up the night so that his father could go easy on their children.

And those nights were always sleepless nights for Sarah.

Moran realized his grandfather just called his father's name and everyone dispersed. It had happened before many times but he always thought Goeff spoke to his grandfather about how to discipline them.

After the mansion fell to silence, he went to the study to see his father simply sitting without doing anything.

He opened the door, "Dad, why..." he stopped midway seeing Geoff slightly widened eyes and a small shake of his head.

That's when he noticed Wilson. His grandfather's trusted man. He was a middle-aged man who always follows his grandfather's order like a decree.

Moran's voice turned timid as he was taught how to talk to elders of Hanes family, "Dad, why are you awake so late into the night? If there is any work, I'll do it, go to bed."

Geoff spoke like a man who controls his child so that Wilson shouldn't doubt them for now. "Why are you awake? Go to bed. Now."

Even though Moran knew why his father changed back to authoritative, he didn't feel suppressed anymore.

He left knowing his intentions. Suddenly he realized how the Fourie and the family understand small-signal meanings. They were such a warm family whereas his family just looked like paid actors acting in their role.

He left the room and went to meet his mother. His mother didn't hide anything like before and didn't brush off the topic.

Instead, she told everything how they were against Elder's strict rules in the home. They had promised the elder that they would never butt in how he brings up Norah and him so they couldn't actually do anything.

It was when Aria Cooper questioned Geoff and mentioned he was a failure as a father, he decided to stand for them even if he had to break the promise.

Geoff was titled as a failure as a son just because he married Sarah against Elder's wish. For following the elder if he has titled as a failure as a father too, then he felt, he will be a complete failure in his life.

Moran felt bad for his parents rather than himself. He also regretted never trying to speak to his parents who were suffering silently for them.

He coaxed his mother to sleep for the first time in his life. He wanted to help his father but after his rejection, he went near Norah to talk but heard her giggling happily.

A small curve appeared on his face seeing her happy. He didn't disturb knowing she was talking with Noah

He knew Norah loved a man before she returned from country E, he wished them to be together but he never tried to stand for her because of Elder Hanes.

'Am I a failure as a son and brother too?'

Because of Elder Hanes, all were remorseful and doubting themselves.

Sarah felt she took the freedom of her husband and couldn't be a good mother.

Geoff felt he was a failure as a man who couldn't keep his wife happy, as a son who failed to appease his father and as a father who couldn't keep his children happy.

Moran questioned his own self. 'Am I really chicken who couldn't stand for anybody and myself behaving like a puppet of my grandfather?'

Norah's smile vanished after hanging up Noah's call. She was scared thinking about whose life she was keeping in danger. She didn't want anybody to get hurt because of her. She wanted to protect her family and Noah too.

She had heard Noah say he could handle his grandfather's wrath. His family, friends were with him to support them to stop her from worrying but she couldn't help herself from the fear of thinking how his grandfather had ruined a family when a boy followed her all the way to her mansion.

In fright, she sent a message to Aria whose number she had received from Noah.

[Please don't let Noah get hurt.]

She didn't receive the reply as it was late into the night and tried to fall asleep.