Silas Miles looked at all the assets before him and asked Tristan specifically about the Garden land, the property that had been given to Tristan Cross. After Tristan transferred the land to him, Silas said, "If I accept these assets, it would be the same as accepting your Cross family's apology. Your Cross family already removed her existence from your family. Now, I have no intention of letting her be part of your family again by accepting these. Your Cross family is the reason I lost my bestfriend once, now it's my wife and for that I'm not going to forgive your family for the rest of my life. I will not accept your father's apology, and I will not accept these assets. I only want to buy this Garden land from you. She always told me everything related to her was celebrated grandly there. Now she isn't even here, so why should you have that land filled with her memories? Until I hold this Garden land in my hands, your Cross family is unforgiven. Do not come to my family again. Please, Leave now."
•••••
Lily, who had heard everything Kenneth Cross said, could see the mist in his eyes. His tone was low but steady as he continued, "That Garden land is cherished land. It holds our Aunt Helena's memories from when she was part of the Cross family. Even after her disownment, the Cross family still went there to celebrate every important moment of hers until her death. But after my father transferred that land to the Miles family, what little was left of her memory in our family was taken away. Now, almost five decades later, we heard our uncle sold the Garden land to Knights Crescent Empire. So we want to purchase the Garden land from you, for our Aunt Helena's memory."
Lily's expression didn't change. She just tilted her head slightly and asked, "Only for a memory?" She didn't mean it as mockery, but Justin Cross heard it as an insult. He scoffed, sharp and loud beside his father.
"Justin." Kenneth's voice was quiet as he called him, then he looked at Lily. "Yes, for her memory. But we are wondering why our unc- I mean, Mr. Miles chose to sell that Garden land to your Knights empire. As far as I know, he still comes here to spend time there."
Lily quietly stared at Kenneth Cross. Instead of responding to his earlier statement, she probed, "You're saying it's for your aunt's memory, but for all these years your Cross family hasn't had it, the garden land or her memory. So does it matter now?"
Kenneth Cross let out a breath that was almost a laugh, almost a sigh. Then he smiled "Who said we don't have her memory? My father, Tristan Cross, is still alive. And he loved his sister, just like he loved his parents, his wife, his children, his grandchildren. My father is our Aunt Helena's memory. Through him we knew her. Through his words, she became part of our family."
Lily chuckled at his reply, genuinely feeling happy. She ignored the glare Justin sent her way and the frown settled on PA Mason's face. Her tone was delightful as she commented, "Hmm, you got me, Mr. Cross. How about you wait a little longer?"
Her choice of words confused the three gentlemen. Justin wanted to object, "Wait for what?" but Kenneth tapped his son's hand and stopped him, Justin harrumphed and crossed his hands, meanwhile Kenneth gave a nod to Lily. "We'll wait."
Lily reached for the telephone near her and made a call. "Send Mr. Shaw in," she instructed.
Magnus Shaw, one of the key legal officers of Knights Crescent Empire, entered the conference room with his assistant. Lily stood up and greeted him with a warm hug, a smile curving her lips. "Hello, Uncle Magnus."
Magnus Shaw gently wrapped her in a hug with his right arm, while his other hand was busy carrying whatever he had brought into the room. His voice was deep, but anyone could hear the tenderness in it as he greeted her. "Hello, little girl," he said before releasing her from the hug.
Lily looked at his assistant and greeted him too. "How are you doing, Mr. Jones? Is all going well with my grumpy uncle?"
Colin Jones smiled at her and made an exaggerated gesture before replying, as he did every other time, "Not bad, Ms. Lily. But, as you know, I'm used to him." Lily laughed heartily at that.
Magnus Shaw cleared his throat and grumbled a little, "Let's get the work done first." Lily nodded and introduced him to the other three gentlemen in the room, her tone shifting to all business.
After their introductions, Lily gestured for them to sit beside her. Meanwhile, Kenneth Cross passed a look towards his PA, Mason, who nodded in understanding before inquiring, "Ms. Crescent, may I know what's exactly happening?"
Lily first shifted her gaze to Kenneth Cross, who could already guess what was happening. Still, Lily could sense the questions rising in his mind, the doubt in PA Mason's eyes, and the blank confusion on Justin Cross's face.
Her reply was short, "Just giving you the Garden land you're here for."
Justin Cross exclaimed not so loudly, "You're Kidding!" His tone was full of shock, like he couldn't believe that SHE, who had behaved so nonchalantly until now, would just give them the Garden land so easily.
PA Mason remained silent. He, too, found it hard to believe. Doubt still lingered in his voice as he said, "But, Ms. Crescent, your CEO isn't here, and we still haven't discussed anything about the purchase price or conditions." His implication was simple. Knights Crescent Empire owns the Garden land, and to transfer it now, they need KCE's CEO's signature, who isn't here, and before transferring, they need to discuss the purchase agreement and everything related.
Lily leaned back in her chair and assured them slowly, "My CEO's presence isn't needed here, Mr. Harley. Do not worry about anything.... our Knights Crescent Empire won't deceive you."
Kenneth Cross fixed his gaze on Lily. His eyes were sharp, but his tone was serious and sincere as he said, "Ms. Crescent, we would be truly grateful if your Knights Crescent Empire is willing to sell the Garden land to us. We can happily pay whatever amount you decide."
Lily simply smiled at his words. "Some things are priceless, Mr. Cross. There's no need for money, negotiations, or transactions. The land will be transferred to~"
"No." Kenneth Cross cut her off, his voice sharp as he bristled. "There's no need for the Knights Crescent Empire to gift it for free. We will pay whatever you demand."
"Do not speak to her in that way, Mr. Cross." A deep voice, filled with rage, came from beside Lily. "You do not have any right."
"Uncle Magnus." Lily turned to him and shook her head. "I'll explain to them."
Then Lily's gaze swept over the three people before her, a mix of shock and displeasure etched on every face. She exhaled, her voice came out with quiet resolve. "Mr. Cross, this is your Uncle Silas's way of offering forgiveness to your family. It's not only your Aunt Helena's memory… it also represents Mr. Silas Miles's forgiveness toward your family."
Her eyes fixed at Kenneth Cross's, steady. "I wouldn't have given it back to you, even if you offered me your entire Cross family's wealth, if I had found you unworthy of having that Cherished land. However, It hasn't even been a week since the garden land was officially transferred to our Knights, and yet here you are."
Lily smiled as she said "Your father, Tristan Cross, let her & her memories remain in your family." She gave Justin Cross a brief look before adding, "Even his grandkids know who she was and know the wrong your family once did to her."
Her gaze returned to Kenneth. "You didn't hide the Cross family's shame. You admitted it to a complete stranger, for a piece of land."
Lily's voice softened, but it didn't lose its firmness. "You chose honesty over a convenient lie. That's how I knew how much you cherish her." She finally assured him "This isn't my charity. I'm not giving it away for free. This is your Uncle Silas trying to reunite with your family, with his friend who lost him once.... through his wife's cherished land of memories, not through money."
Kenneth Cross couldn't help but tear up after listening to her words. He remembered his father, Tristan Cross, blaming himself for failing to protect his sister. He remembered how his father still always wonder how would his sister might have been if she'd lived.
Justin's face was tight with worry as he looked at his father getting emotional. He didn't know how to console him. He glanced at PA Mason, silently questioning for help, unsure what to do, but looking like he might cry himself if his father didn't stop.
PA.Mason signaled a subtle gesture to put a hand on his father's shoulder. Justin did as he was shown, placing a hand on his father's shoulder. Kenneth gave him a brief look and composed himself, offering a tight, reassuring smile before glancing at Lily and nodding in agreement.
Lily just smiled in response and asked Magnus Shaw for the draft papers, which he readily handed her. Lily took a pen from the holder in front of her and signed them before passing them to Magnus Shaw to notarize. It didn't even take two minutes.
Then Mr. Jones made digital copies and sent them to the county for e-recording, which would take some time. "It will take half an hour to an hour, Ms. Lily," he said.
She checked the time and declared, "Then let's have lunch in the meantime."
••••••
At Allen Industries, Second Uncle Noah Allen was surprised by Eli's presence in the office. Eli told him he wasn't going to the meeting he was supposed to attend, so he'd come back to the office instead. Noah just nodded in understanding, and the two started working together.
Eli worked like he didn't want to think about anything other than work, which didn't go unnoticed by Second Uncle Noah. All the while, Noah kept glancing at Eli from time to time. According to the information William had passed in the Allen adults group chat, (a chat where Eli's parents, uncles, and aunts shared everything deemed important) Eli had become too emotional, too much is a small word compared to the composed Eli they usually know and the Eli, his brother had witnessed today. He was looking for someone, and their father, Felix Allen, knew the details but wasn't ready to share them. The only info they had was that the person he was looking for was a SHE.
Eli's mother, Chloe Allen, was worried sick after checking her messages. She wanted to talk to Eli, but William urged her not to call Eli while he was away, saying they should all talk with him together when he got home. Eli's father hadn't checked his messages yet, he was probably busy with his team.
The remaining people in the group...
Eli's second aunt, Emma Allen, who is Second Uncle Noah's wife, Eli's granduncle's son, Vincent Allen and his wife Charlotte Allen, who is also Eli's mother Chloe's biological sister were in the group chat too. And now they'll were worried & confused about this new information regarding Eli. They still live together in the same mansion because Felix Allen and his brother Victor Allen wanted everyone together in one place, unlike other families.
A quick review of Eli's family tree ;
Family Elder - Felix Allen.
His wife - Alicia Allen, the late.
Second Elder - Victor Allen.
His wife - Jessica Allen.
Felix & Alicia Allen had three sons.
1. Cedar Allen, his wife - Chloe Allen.
2. Noah Allen, his wife - Emma Allen.
3. William Allen,
his wife - Amelia Allen, the late.
Victor & Jessica Allen had two Children.
1. Vincent Allen, his wife - Charlotte Allen.
2. Julia Ross, her husband - Martin Ross.
Cedar & Chloe Allen had three children.
1. Elisha Allen.
2. Eric Allen.
3. Elara Allen.
Noah & Emma Allen had two Children.
1. Kael Allen.
2. Kelly Allen.
William & Amelia had twins.
1. Liam Allen.
2. Leah Allen.
Vincent & Charlotte Allen had two Children.
1. Ivan Allen.
2. Isla Allen.
Julia & Martin Ross had one child.
1. Hazel Ross.