Seeing Harold lose his temper, Gresham felt a slight urge to compromise. However, that urge quickly vanished when he recalled Bonnie's mockery when they last approached her.
"Dad, it’s not that I don't want this connection, but Bonnie's personality is too difficult. She never listens to anything we say, no matter how much we talk."
Vera chimed in to support him, "Yes, Dad, Gresham is right. It's not that we don't want to reach out to Bonnie, but she's too hard to communicate with. You never know what might come out of her mouth."
Harold's initial anger turned to helplessness.
He sighed heavily and spoke in a somber tone, "You’ve seen the state of the Shepard family in recent years. It's been getting worse. If we don't find a way out, our large family might fall into decline and become a part of history.
“While the current situation of the family may allow you to live comfortably for the rest of your lives, we must also think about our descendants..."
He sighed deeply again. "Forget it, forget it. Why am I telling you this? If you don't want to go, I won’t force you."
He then shook his head and walked toward the backyard. Gresham felt a pang of bitterness at Harold’s words. Seeing his father’s once straight back now hunched and his black hair turned to silver, Gresham realized that his father had aged.
Yes, his father was old. As the eldest in the family, Gresham should take on the responsibility of revitalizing the family.
Besides, Harold wasn't asking him to do much, just to talk to Bonnie. No matter what, Bonnie was still his biological daughter. How heartless could she be toward them?
Gresham believed that if he approached her with the right attitude, Bonnie would soften and agree to help the family. Gresham made up his mind and called out to Harold, "Dad, I’ll do as you say. I’ll go talk to Bonnie. Just wait for the good news at home."
Harold stopped in his tracks, turned around, and looked at him with relief. "Good! You are indeed my son. You have a sense of responsibility. Go ahead, and I’ll wait for your good news."
"Alright, Dad, we're going." Gresham nodded and signaled Vera with his eyes. Although Vera was reluctant, she had no choice but to follow Gresham since he had already agreed.
Soon, Trina came running out. "Dad, Mom."
Both Vera and Gresham turned around simultaneously. "Trina, what is it?"
Vera looked at Trina and thought about Bonnie's defiant attitude. She suddenly felt a pang of bitterness.
Though Trina wasn't as capable or impressive as Bonnie, at least Trina was obedient and considerate of the family’s needs. If it were Trina they needed to rely on, she would undoubtedly help them without hesitation.
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