Chapter 1380


    Shane understood what Natalie was going through. “It has got nothing to do with you. Regardless of


    your action, Joyce would have known everything from the others and made the same decision. The


    ending will still be the same.” He consoled her with a gentle hug andforting words.


    Natalie gaped at him. “But...”


    “Don''t overthink things.” Shane patted her shoulder as if to soothe her. “I can understand why Joyce did


    that.”


    The Rivers couple turned their heads to Shane as soon as he said that.


    Thetter added, “The umtion of resentment into hatred is too deep for both families. Moreover,


    Stanley''s parents died because of the Rivers. The only thing Joyce could do to atone for her family was


    to exchange peace with her life. It''s impossible for her to make her parents sacrifice themselves.


    Hence, the only option left was to take her own life.”


    Frederick continued to pound his chest and stamp his feet out of exasperation. “Oh my, that girl... Why


    would she think of it this way? It was a grudge of our generation, and it should be resolved among us.


    How could she do it on our behalf? Why did she...”


    Caitlin, on the other hand, cried hysterically. “Joyce... Boo... Hoo...”


    For a moment, the old couple seemed to have aged even more.


    Natalie''s heart wrenched painfully. She moved her trembling lips, wanting to say something, but


    Frederick spoke first. “Actually, Caitlyn and I havee up with a solution to settle all the issues with


    the Quinn family. Unfortunately, Joyce acted in a rash before we could trante our thoughts into


    action.”


    “What? You''ve got a way to end the long-standing feud?” blurted Natalie in surprise.


    They nodded in response.


    Natalie released Shane''s hand and strode forward to hold Caitlin''s instead. “Mr. and Mrs. Rivers, what


    was the solution? Why didn''t you do anything about it?”


    Had they prioritized a reconciliation between the two families, Joyce wouldn''t need to go through the


    terrible dilemma, to the extent that she had to take things into her own hands and give up her life for it.


    Caitlin and Frederick exchanged nces.


    Then, Frederick smiled wryly. “In fact, it''s the same solution as what Joyce had thought of - an eye for


    an eye, a life for a life. Undeniably, we were the ones who indirectly exposed Stanley''s parents


    whereabouts and caused them to be murdered. We can totally understand why Stanley hates us to the


    core and wants to make us responsible for his parents'' death. We were so disheartened to see how


    cold he was to Joyce. So, Caitlyn and I thought that resolving the family conflict ourselves would grant


    Joyce and Stanley a positive change in their rtionship. Then...”


    Frederick wiped his tears away before continuing, “Then, Caitlyn and I made up our minds to leave this


    world after our sixtieth birthday. This would settle everything once and for all. Stanley wouldn''t hold a


    grudge against us anymore, and Joyce would stand a chance to be with him. However, as time went


    by, we saw how Stanley antagonized Joyce, and their rtionship turned from bad to worse. It was


    then when Caitlyn and I realized that he would never be with Joyce regardless if the family dispute was


    resolved.”


    “That''s right. So, Frederick and I wanted Joyce to find new love, date someone else, and be happy


    again. We''re about to turn sixty. With that, we urged Joyce to forget about Stanley and start anew. We


    were really hoping to see her get married before we end our lives. It was our wish to see her tying the


    knot with someone who would love her dearly, someone whom she could rely on after our passing.


    Unbeknownst to us, she went ahead and left before us.”Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Caitlin broke down in anguish.


    Natalie was struck silent.


    Initially, she had the impression that the couple thought of a win-win solution.