Hold My Tear, I’m Getting My Wife Back (Leanne Castillo) novel Chapter 443

Mary was on the cusp of her 80th birthday, a milestone that seemed both monumental and just another day in her long life of ups and downs.

She had lived through storms and even stirred up a few herself.

Reaching this age, she was as crafty and sharp as they come.

Mary had a knack for playing her family like a chessboard, always staying several moves ahead.

From manipulating the press to force Maddox and Jennifer to adopt Leanne, to orchestrating moral dilemmas that led to Leanne's marriage to Curtis, Mary was always in control.

Yet, for all her scheming against her flesh and blood, it was Leanne, the adopted granddaughter from outside the family, who was her greatest weakness and challenge.

Mary could handle Curtis with her usual mix of stubbornness and evasion, but in front of Leanne, she often found herself at a loss.

"Don't mind his nonsense. He's just looking for trouble out of boredom," Mary said, trying to reach out to Leanne with a warmth that belied her usual demeanor. "How was your day out? Did Curtis feed you too much? Your face looks all plump and cute. Come here, let me have a look."

Leanne, however, pulled away, leaving Mary's outstretched hand hanging and her smile fading into a look of sorrow.