Chapter 16 ... An unexpected occurrence

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The afternoon reception room was perfect for the rest of her plan. As guests filed in quickly into the reception area, she smiled. She was the best hostess; welcoming everyone and making everyone feel at ease. It was her duty so she remained calm when Derick entered with Lian on his arm. They were both smiling and Lian appeared at ease greeting elders in the traditional way. Lian was good she conceded. She blended right in for a foreigner. Derick was looking at Lian with a smile of love on his face. He too was impressed with Lian's ease of adapting in the new environment.

'Mrs Travers, your daughter in law is so refined and polished you must be proud to have her in the family.' One of the elders commented and this made her even angrier but she did not show it but bowed respectfully.

Sadly no women she had lined up wanted to intervene. Derick had already rejected the eligible ones and those remaining were not worthy to be her daughter in law. Her family came from the Chaebol group and had to keep up an image.

She had gone to the US to study and brought back a foreign husband much to the dismay of her family. It had been tough for her family to accept Quinton. For years he was ostracised but Quinton's ability to make money and build an empire soon embedded him in their framework.

Her father finally relented and accepted his son in law when Quinton's company became global. Derick had then met his grandparents for the first time when he was three years old. She and Quinton had chosen to live in the US since her family had rejected them. It had been hard at first but she had adjusted. The society was freer and had fewer restrictions. She could work and use her business skills to develop the company with Quinton. They had been lucky and within a few years they had flourished. Now over thirty years later they had an empire and her husband was respected around the world. Although they had decided to live in Korea permanently for the last five years since her parents were now older, she did not regret her choices.

She was not against Lian personally but she wanted grandchildren and Derick was her only child. She knew the pain of losing a child, like Lian had. In fact after that miscarriage she could not get pregnant again for a long while. They had given up hope and resolved that Derick would be their only child when she had gotten pregnant again. However that joy was short lived after the child was lost during her first trimester. Since then they had given up and raised Derick was her pride and joy.

She needed a fertile woman to give her son children. Derick had always wanted a brother or a sister and she had failed to give him that. She was not going to fail to give him a house full of children. She needed Lian out.

She continued to do her duties and Lian even helped. The woman was blending in too well and even if she gave her the cold shoulder Lian was tough she did not flinch or reprimand her. That annoyed her even more. She actually liked Lian's toughness it was just that one issue of babies which negated the whole persona to her.

'Umma today has been wonderful. Thank you for organising this welcome ceremony for us.' Derick came to her and she smiled.

'Anything for you my son.' She had to keep up appearances. 'You look a bit pale?'

'Oh no, I'm a bit tired from the trip. Plus I want to take Lian to Gyeongbuk tomorrow.' Derick informed her.

She touched his forehead, 'You feel a bit warm are you okay?'

Derick held his mother's hands. 'Yes, just jetlag, nothing some sleep would not solve.'

'Your eyes look a bit strained are you sure you are fine? Mrs Park's husband is here and he is a doctor let him give you a check-up now.'

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