CHAPTER 140: CHAPTER 140: LET HER MARRY INTO THE FAMILY

"Sienna..."

Aged and hoarse, the voice belonged to Sienna Johnson’s grandmother, who had just arrived.

When Sienna’s grandmother was young, she had been a formidable woman with a prominent reputation in the business world of Sileria City. Only after her son grew up did she gradually recede into the background. In business, Father Johnson still consulted her for advice when encountering particularly challenging problems.

Although the relationship between grandmother and granddaughter wasn’t exceptionally close, the grandmother treated both her and Samara Johnson fairly. In fact, she favored Sienna slightly more than Sabrina Johnson, her adopted granddaughter, which was enough to earn Sienna’s deep respect.

"Grandma, why are you here..."

Sienna tried to get out of bed, but her grandmother stopped her. The old woman had lost her husband in middle age and her son in her later years; the blows she had endured were even deeper than Sienna’s.

It was just that Sienna showed her pain, while her grandmother concealed hers.

In public, her grandmother maintained a dignified composure, never shedding a single tear. However, her reddened eyes still betrayed her profound sadness.

It was merely a facade of cheerfulness in public, masking tears shed in private.

"I heard you fainted, so I came to see you. Your father is gone, and now the Johnson Family depends on you. You mustn’t collapse too."

"I understand, Grandma," Sienna replied, her voice faint.

Their interactions were characterized more by politeness than intimacy. They were both courteous to each other, but such excessive politeness between relatives often signified an underlying alienation.

"I heard you haven’t eaten all day, so I asked the kitchen to make you some vegetarian noodles." As she finished speaking, a servant brought in a bowl of simple tomato and egg noodles.

"Grandma, I just had a bowl of chicken soup; I’m not hungry. You don’t need to worry about me. Instead, you should take care of your own health..."

Her grandmother observed her eldest granddaughter. After just a few days, Sienna’s face was frighteningly pale, her voice exceptionally hoarse, and she had clearly lost a significant amount of weight. Yet, her gaze was calm, her sorrow buried deep, and the way she held her back so straight was heartbreaking to see.

"I’ve lived long enough. When your grandfather passed away, your father was still young. I thought that once your father was grown, my burdens would be lifted. Little did I know..."

Her grandmother lowered her head to wipe away tears, the weight of her years evident.

"Grandma, you still have me and Samara. We’ll take good care of you." Sienna pointedly did not mention Sabrina Johnson.

Samara Johnson was Sienna’s full younger sister, merely ten years old and somewhat timid by nature. Samara was usually closer to Sabrina than to Sienna, her own elder sister.

It wasn’t entirely her fault that she wasn’t close to the Johnson family. She had, after all, joined them later. Moreover, Sabrina, with her sweet appearance but bitter heart, was so adept at pleasing people that it made Sienna’s reserved personality seem dull and unlikable by comparison.

However, Samara was her own sister. No matter what, Sienna would take good care of her.

"Madam, several elders from the clan have arrived. They say they have important matters to discuss," Kathryn, the grandmother’s attendant, entered and whispered cautiously in the old woman’s ear.

Sienna frowned; she held no particular fondness for the other relatives of the Johnson Family. "My father hasn’t even been buried yet. What could they possibly want to discuss with Grandma at a time like this?"

Her grandmother let out a cold sneer. "Wealth certainly sways hearts! What else could it be? They’re here to divide the family assets, no doubt."

"Divide what assets? What does our Johnson Family’s property have to do with them?"

Her grandmother looked sharply at her eldest granddaughter and began to recount an old story. "You should know that our branch of the Johnson Family built its fortune on medicinal herbs."

The ancestral wealth of the Johnson Family originated from cultivating and selling medicinal herbs. Later, they established the Eastminster Pharmaceutical Company (subsequently renamed Eastminster Biopharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd.) and went on to open several influential private hospitals across the country.

"Dad told me about it; I know. But I don’t understand how those people have any right to interfere in our Johnson Family’s affairs. And what gives them any say in dividing the family property?"

"Listen, and I’ll explain it to you slowly... Our Johnson Family’s largest medicinal herb base is on Eastminster Mountain. Eastminster Mountain isn’t our direct family property; it’s considered ancestral property of the greater Johnson clan. Years ago, your grandfather made a written agreement: if his direct line had no male heir, Eastminster Mountain would be reallocated." Sienna absorbed this in silence for a moment. "Over the years, since your father had no sons, they’ve been coveting it. I just didn’t expect them to act so quickly. Your father’s body is barely cold, and they can’t wait any longer."

Under the daylight, her grandmother’s silver hair was dazzling.

Sienna had returned to the Johnson Family at the age of thirteen. Her prevailing impression of her grandmother was that of an impeccably refined old lady, one who, even in her advanced age, remained exacting about her dress and appearance.

At this moment, however, she wore none of her usual elegant, light makeup, and her face was drawn and haggard.

"Why did Grandpa make that agreement? And how did they find out the Johnson Family has no male heirs?"

"Because of my health back then, the doctor said it would be difficult for me to conceive. I didn’t have your father until I was in my thirties. At that age, I was already considered old to be starting a family. When your grandfather made that agreement, your father hadn’t even been born yet, and your grandfather and I had already been married for ten years."

As her grandmother recounted this part of the past, a look of happiness softened her features; it was clear the love between her and her grandfather had been profound.

"Grandma, what do you want me to do?"

It was unusual for the grandmother and granddaughter to engage in such a lengthy conversation. Since her grandmother had sought her out and shared so much, Sienna knew something was being asked of her.

"Sienna, you should find a husband to marry into the family."

Sienna’s gaze shot to her grandmother, whose eyes flickered with a hint of guilt. "Sienna, I know I’m wronging you," she said apologetically, "but I cannot let the Johnson Family’s assets fall into their hands." Sienna remained silent, the weight of the words settling heavily upon her. "That’s what your grandfather and your father worked their entire lives to build... Sienna, I know this is unfair to you, and I won’t force you. The decision is yours. If you agree, I will go and negotiate with them. If you are unwilling... then as long as I am alive, I will ensure you find a good family to marry into."

"Mom, no! Sienna shouldn’t have to find a husband to marry into the family!"

The familiar voice made Sienna’s frown deepen. Her mother had entered the room, followed by a ten-year-old girl—Samara Johnson.

The mother and her daughters bore a striking resemblance to each other. Samara was like a miniature version of Sienna, looking even more like her elder sister than Curly Baby did.

"Sister," Samara called out timidly, her eyes welling with tears as she stood behind her mother, silent.

Sienna smiled at her. "Samara, you’ve grown taller, and more beautiful too."

Her grandmother sighed as she looked at Samara. "It’s just that her temperament... it isn’t like a Johnson. Won’t she be bullied when she grows up?"

"With the Johnson Family, Grandma, and me here, who would dare bully her in the future!" This was a promise. Upon hearing this, Samara’s gaze flickered, and tears streamed down her cheeks.