Chapter 79
Morwenna had taken great care to remember everyone.
After Norbert finished introducing everyone, he waved his hand dismissively, "Alright, go about your business. Oh, Stuart doesn't want the news of his marriage getting out. This stays within the family. Unless you fancy a run-in with Stuart, I'd keep it quiet."
The room quickly filled with nods and murmurs of agreement.
Stuart was a bit of a wildcard, only Norbert seemed to be able to rein him in somewhat. No one else dared cross him.
Norbert didn't bother with the small talk. He seemed indifferent to everyone else.
He gestured for Morwenna to follow him upstairs. "Wenna, let's go. I'll show you to your room. It's been ready for a while. Let me know if there's anything you'd like to change."
Morwenna bowed slightly to the elders and hurried after Norbert.
Once Norbert and Morwenna had ascended the stairs, one of Yara’s daughters who was visibly pregnant lamented, "Norbert had made such a fuss preparing that room. I thought it was for us. Mum, Norbert used to dote on me the most. Why is he treating this Morwenna so well?"
Her daughters chimed in with their complaints, clearly dissatisfied.
Sabrina, observing quietly, thought to herself how foolish they all were. Couldn't they see Norbert treated Morwenna differently? Aligning with her rather than competing would be the smarter move.
She exchanged a knowing glance with Phineas and they both stepped away, leaving the family to their petty grievances.
Upon reaching the room, Morwenna was stunned.
It was larger than Stuart's bedroom at Windcharm Villas, equipped with its walk-in closet, a separate room for shoes and bags, and a makeup area.
The carpet was plush and the bed seemed to span over two meters wide. The decoration was a youthful powder pink.
"Norbert,is this my room?" she asked, incredulous.
He nodded, "Yup, this is the new room I set up for you. What's your take on it? If you aren't feeling it, we can switch things up."
"No, it’s not that I don’t like it. It’s just so big. It feels a bit wasteful for me alone."
"How could it be wasteful? You are the chosen wife of Stuart in the Hetfield family. You deserve the best."
Morwenna, realizing this was meant to be her and Stuart's room, had a puzzled expression. "Would Stuart even like this decoration?"
Thinking of Stuart’s preference for a minimalist black, white, and gray palette at Windcharm Villas compared to the vibrant youthfulness here, she felt a disconnect.
Norbert waved off the concern, "Whether he likes it or not doesn’t matter. That boy might not want to return to the family home, but I’ll try my best to get him back here."
Morwenna wanted to say there was no need.
Living with Stuart was stressful enough for her.
After settling Morwenna in, Norbert headed to his study.
He pulled out his phone and dialed with a commanding tone. "Keep the pressure on Stuart. Phineas is doing well and I’ll shift the new project to him. Do as I say. The Gallagher family is getting too greedy. Cut off their partnership."
If Morwenna were there, she might struggle to reconcile this stern and cold version of Norbert with the kindly grandfather she knew.
As long as Stuart stayed away from the family home, Norbert would continue to pressure him.
It wasn't that he was over the top about Morwenna. It was just that he knew Stuart had a dark side that could pop out any day, and possibly wreck the Hetfield family.
He needed someone who could tame Stuart’s inner demons.
Having met all sorts of people in his life, Norbert was convinced that Morwenna was that person.