Chapter 46: The Reynolds Crown Prince
Linda was the wife of the chairman of the Reynolds Group. Her son was the heir apparent to the Reynolds empire.
Sonya gasped, covering her mouth. She had suspected that Henry’s background was significant, but never in her wildest dreams did she imagine he was the heir to Reynolds—a family ranked among the top ten most influential in the world.
“But your last name is Sullivan…”
“My name used to be Henry Reynolds. I was always sick as a child. My mom consulted a fortune teller, who said my birthdate clashed with my surname, so she changed it to Sullivan.” Sonya was speechless. Her aunt had promised her a hardworking, down-to-earth guy, but delivered the crown prince of Reynolds!
And Grandma Reynolds… Her aunt had often complained about the old woman’s stinginess and tendency to take advantage of others.
“Is the pomegranate sweet?”
“Huh?”
Henry glanced at the pomegranate in her hand. “Let me try.”
Sonya looked at the fruit, remembering Henry’s conversation with the security guard. He was incredibly down-to-earth.
She opened the pomegranate; the seeds were large and ruby red. She peeled a few and fed them to Henry.
“Mmm, sweet. Try some.”
Sonya ate a couple; they were indeed delicious.
“Sonya, nothing will change,” Henry said suddenly.
“What?” Sonya asked.
Henry squeezed her hand. “What I said before—I want to have a good life with you.” Sonya smiled. With Julian Jennings, she’d felt like she was walking on clouds, unsteady, unsure. But with Henry, she felt grounded, seeing a clear future ahead. That’s all she ever wanted.
The three-hour drive took them to a small town.
Grandma Reynolds had moved there three years ago. Sonya was busy with her internship and hadn’t visited. Her aunt and uncle had gone to New York to see her, so she’d never met Grandma Reynolds.
Their car pulled up to the houses, side by side, both locked.
Sonya had tried calling her aunt and uncle on the way, but couldn’t reach them. Henry called his grandmother, but there was no answer.
“Sonya! You’re getting married, aren’t you? What brings you back?”
A woman passing by recognized Sonya.
Sonya greeted her, explaining that she was picking up her aunt and uncle for the wedding. The woman responded, “Oh, they and Grandma Reynolds left early this morning. They said they were going to the city for your wedding. You didn’t see them?”
Sonya looked at Henry.
Henry frowned. “They left early; they’re probably already in New York.”
“But we can’t reach them.”
“Let’s head back and figure something out along the way.”
They hurried back to the car. Henry called home again; Grandma Reynolds hadn’t returned, and they were still looking for her.
As they entered the city, they received a call from the police station.
They met Linda at the station.
“Sonya, don’t worry. I spoke to the officers; they’re fine.”
Sonya felt Linda’s hand. From fan and idol to daughter-in-law and mother-in-law—it was a lot to take in.
“You must be terrified.”
“It’s okay.”
Linda pulled her inside. “It must be Grandma Sullivan’s idea. That old lady is restless; she needs some mischief to stay happy.”
“Are you scared?”
“Not really. She’s sharp, even at her age. She’ll be fine.”
Linda led Sonya in, leaving Henry behind.
Inside the station, they sat on a bench, being questioned.
Her aunt and uncle, simple country folk, were terrified.
Grandma Reynolds, silver-haired but sharp, calmly recounted her ordeal.
“That girl’s leg looked genuinely injured. We offered to help her get a taxi, but she led us to a deserted area. Then, several strong young men appeared and robbed us. See? Kindness doesn’t pay. Even a young girl dares to rob people.”
“How much cash did you have?”
“Not much, thirty thousand. They only took twenty.”
“Why didn’t you use cards?”
“We came to the wedding. The money was for a gift; it had to be cash.”
Sonya approached as the officer finished questioning them.
“Uncle, Aunt!” Sonya called.
They stood up and rushed to her.
“Sonya, you’re here! We were terrified.”
Linda and Grandma Reynolds were arguing.
“I’m not helpless! I didn’t need you to pick me up!”
“You’re so capable, yet you got scammed?”
“I don’t want to hear you.”
“You’re wrong.”
Ignoring Linda, Grandma Reynolds pulled Henry over. “This is Sonya! She’s even prettier than in the pictures.”
Grandma Reynolds beamed, and Sonya called her “Grandma.” The old woman was delighted, taking off her jade bracelet and putting it on Sonya.
“I can’t accept this,” Sonya protested, but Henry took it. “Grandma gave it to you. She has plenty.”
“It’s yours now.”
Grandma Reynolds adored Sonya.
“This is my chosen granddaughter-in-law!”
Linda agreed. “Your taste is finally good for once.”
“If you can’t say anything nice, shut up!”
The aunt and uncle liked Henry. “You’ve registered your marriage, right? Sonya’s too kind; she’s easily bullied. Don’t you dare bully her.”
“I promise I won’t.”
“Good. Her father passed away when she was a baby, her mother when she was in high school. She’s had a tough life. Take good care of her.”
“I will, Aunt and Uncle.”
“She’s a good girl; honest and hardworking.”
Leaving the station, the uncle kept glancing at Linda.
“What are you looking at?” his wife nudged him.
“That woman… does she look familiar?”
“She’s elegant, a city lady. She reminds me of that actress… what’s her name?”
“Linda!”
“That’s it!”
Back at the villa, after Sonya explained Henry’s background, her aunt and uncle were stunned. “Grandma Reynolds never mentioned his family’s background. She just said he was smart and capable. I thought we were a good match, that you two would support each other.” Her aunt slapped her thigh. “That old woman lied again!”
This should still capture the essence of the chapter while providing a more natural flow. Let me know if you need any further tweaks!
