Chapter 4030
Married At First Sight Chapter 4030
Chapter 4030
With the powerful York Corporation backing them, the York men command respect wherever they go. Even if one were to become a live-in son-in-law, it is unlikely that the woman or her family would dare to mistreat him, given the influence and strength of the York family behind him.
However, Tatum observed that none of his brothers had ever taken on such a role. Perhaps, he mused with a wry smile, he might be the first to set that precedent.
Elora bore a significant burden in her own family. Her younger brother, who was expected to eventually take over their family business, was still just a child. It would be at least a decade before he was ready for such responsibilities, meaning Elora would need to assume the leadership role for many years to come.
When Tatum mentioned how open-minded his family was, Elora’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. “Your elders sound incredibly progressive. Given your family’s wealth and status, I doubt many families would dare to have you or your brothers ‘visit’ them in the traditional sense.”
Tatum chuckled. “Our elders are indeed very open-minded. Honestly, my parents, uncles, and aunts don’t interfere in our personal lives. It’s only my grandma who gets bored and nags us about settling down.
“She has the funniest way of scolding us though. She calls us pigs, saying she’s spent so much effort raising us pigs, yet we’re so useless we can’t even ‘dig up someone else’s cabbage.’ According to her, I’m the biggest pig of all.”
Elora was momentarily taken aback by his words but soon burst into laughter.
“Everyone says Old Mrs. York has a mischievous streak,” Elora said, still laughing. “It seems the rumors are true. She must be a lot of fun to be around.”
“She is,” Tatum replied.
with a warm smile. “Grandma is laid-back and has a special affection for girls. The moment any of my sisters-in-law arrives home, my grandma’s attention is solely on them. We grandsons seem to fade into the background.
“If there’s ever a disagreement between my brothers and their wives, Grandma always sides with the wives. And if my brothers push her buttons, she doesn’t hesitate to chase them around with her cane.”
Tatum’s smile grew wider. “Miss Elora, if you ever get the chance to visit Wiltspoon, please let me know. I would love to be your guide and take you to Wildridge Manor to meet my grandma. I promise she’ll adore you.”
Elora appeared genuinely touched by the invitation. Meeting the legendary Old Mrs. York sounded fascinating. However, she sighed softly. “I’m not sure when I’ll find the time. My schedule is filled with meetings and endless paperwork. On top of that, I often travel for business. It’s rare for me to get a moment to breathe, let alone plan a trip.”
Her tone reflected a hint of exhaustion. Even during the New Year holidays, she spent her time at home with family, catching up on whatever little rest she could manage.
Tatum’s expression softened with concern. “You should think about hiring more professional managers to help lighten your workload. Running a company is demanding, but you don’t have to shoulder everything alone. Even at York Corporation, where we have numerous senior managers, I, as the CEO, still have my hands full. However, I make it a point to delegate when possible—otherwise, I’d never find time to enjoy life.”
Elora managed a wry smile. “Perhaps I was just meant to work hard.”
The Ormond family was incredibly wealthy, but Elora’s situation was anything but carefree. Her parents, while kind, lacked exceptional business skills and often faced health issues. As the eldest child, the responsibility of managing the family’s affairs fell heavily on her shoulders.
The weight of the empire had rested heavily on Elora’s shoulders from a young age. While her cousins enjoyed the freedom to pursue their dreams and forge their own paths, Elora was deprived of such luxuries. Her entire life revolved around meeting expectations and excelling in every area to prepare for taking over the family business. Now, with a younger brother born two decades later, there was renewed hope for the future. The boy was bright and capable, but it would be years before he was old enough to assume leadership. Elora often joked that by the time her brother was ready to take over, she would be nearing retirement.
As Tatum listened to her story, he felt a pang of sympathy. He wished he could do something to ease her burden, but he knew that offering to help her with the Ormond business wasn’t a realistic option—not at this time, anyway. All he could do was admire her resilience and silently hope she would find some relief.