Chapter 3917

Elora was acutely aware of the many young talents in Annenburg, but none had ever made her feel safe or genuinely touched her heart. Most of these men approached her with ulterior motives, attracted not by who she was but by the immense wealth and power of the Ormond family. They recognized that Alonzo was still young and that she was the one managing the family empire. Winning her over would mean securing control of the Ormond fortune and gradually undermining her family’s legacy.
This constant awareness had made her cautious, even fearful, of love.
“I can’t afford to fall in love,” Elora admitted, her voice steady yet laden with emotion. “I’m terrified of being used or manipulated. Even when I admire someone, I suppress those feelings. My family is too much of a target—prime prey, as they say, in the eyes of those who are only interested in power and wealth. People will do anything for money and influence, and I can’t risk bringing disaster to the Ormond family.”
She remained wary even of the young heirs from powerful families. As for men who had risen from humble beginnings, the so-called “Phoenix men,” she wouldn’t even consider them.
Tatum walked beside her, nodding in understanding. “I get it. My grandmother is the same way. She’s always looking out for us. Every one of my brothers’ wives was chosen by her, so our parents don’t even have to worry about these matters.”
As Tatum moved ahead, Elora matched his pace. The two of them, walking side by side—a handsome man and a stunning woman—looked like something out of a romantic tale. They seemed to belong together, though neither would dare express such a thought.
“I heard from Rosie that your grandmother is a remarkable woman,” Elora remarked, her tone warm.

lightened as she glanced at him. “She’s the cornerstone of your family, right? It must be a relief for your parents to have her managing things like your marriages.”
Elora’s thoughts turned to her own grandparents. “My grandparents were similar. They adored me as their first grandchild. Even though I was a girl, they treated me like the pride of the family. If they were still alive, they would have already arranged my marriage. Honestly, having someone like your grandmother to take care of you is a blessing. You should cherish that.”
Tatum smiled warmly. “Oh, we all do. My brothers and I trust Grandma completely. She has a keen eye for these matters. Once she chooses someone for us, we dedicate all our energy to earning her approval. So far, her selections have always been spot-on.”
Elora raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Wait… does that mean the wife your grandmother chose for you is here? In Province X?”
Tatum nodded with a small grin. “Yep. She’s in Province X. But for now, I’m still your chef. Once you finally let me go, I’ll officially start courting her. Of course, if you keep me around and allow me to continue earning this generous salary, I’ll be in an even better position to win her over. At least she’ll see I’m not just some idle, spoiled rich kid. I can balance working hard while pursuing my future wife. If she falls for me, that’s game over—I’ll have her heart.”
Elora couldn’t contain her curiosity any longer. “Province X is a long way from Wiltspoon. It’s not like you can just drive over. How in the world did your grandmother find her? Which city is she in? Who are her parents?”
Tatum chuckled. “Honestly? I have no idea how my grandma does it. She’s always

She’s still flying around, even at her age. None of us can keep up with her. My eldest brother is the only one who can manage her. When he’s focused, she’ll stay in Wiltspoon for a while, but the moment he gets busy, she’s off jet-setting to who knows where.

“Right now, most of us older grandkids are settled. I’m the sixth, so my turn has come and gone. The youngest boys, from the seventh to the ninth, are still too young for her to worry about. However, she’s already occupied with planning wedding after wedding. My eldest brother’s wife is even pregnant now, and Grandma absolutely dotes on her. I think they’ll be staying in Wiltspoon for at least the next year.”

Elora gazed at him intently. “So, who’s this fiancée of yours? You have to give me something. What’s she like?”

Tatum responded with a mischievous smile. “You’ll find out soon enough. When I finally win her heart, I’ll introduce her to you. For now, just know that I’m more than happy with the person my grandma picked. She’s perfect for me.”

When I introduce her to you, you’ll see how special she is to my heart. For now, just know this: I am genuinely happy with the person my grandma chose for me. She is perfect for me. My grandma’s instincts are sharper than ever; she would never select anyone who isn’t an excellent match.