With that, Mrs. Watson jogged into the mansion.
Abigail turned toward Eagle at that. “You should pack up too.”
Eagle nodded.
Abigail and her family arrived at the airport at 6 PM, and James had already arranged for a flight.
Although there were a lot of them and a lot of luggage to bring along, they could board right away thanks to James’s help.
Even the luggage was flown on the same plane instead of requiring logistics.
Abigail stayed calm even as she got onboard, personally coaxing her baby when she started to cry a fit.
Tommy was older, and could stay put with food.
“Mommy, Grandma said we’re going on a trip. Is that true?”
Tommy had asked Sheryl why she was packing her things, and she came up with the excuse of going on a trip abroad.
He was certainly happy about it, but Sheryl could not help sighing as she looked at the boy.
Nonetheless, Abigail smiled and replied, “Yeah, we’re going to Franconia. There are many fun places there—I’ll have someone show you around.”
“What about you and Daddy?” Tommy asked. “Can’t we go together?”
Abigail had to withstand a split second of heartache before saying, “We’re busy.”
Sheryl waved to Tommy. “Over here, Tommy. Sit tight, don’t move around.”
Even if Abigail did not tell her, Sheryl knew that there was trouble.
No matter how hard Abigail tried to pretend, Sheryl could read Abigail like a book.
Still, Tommy leaned against Abigail and said, “I want Mommy to carry me.”
“She’s busy with your baby brother, Tommy. She can’t carry you,” Sheryl said patiently.
Tommy pouted unhappily, and reluctantly returned to Sheryl’s side. “He took Mommy from me.”
Sheryl smiled. “He’s still a baby!”
Tommy leaned into Sheryl’s arms and looked up to her face. “I’m a baby too!”
Sherly patted his little head and explained, “You’re a big boy now. You have to protect your baby brother and your mommy now.”
“And Grandma too,” Tommy said, tugging at the hem of her blouse.
Sheryl beamed. “I knew I didn’t babysit you for nothing.”
Eventually, Tommy fell asleep after wearing himself out from playing, and he had to be carried when the plane landed.
There was a reception waiting, and Abigail, still holding her baby, followed everyone in the car.
James helped with putting the luggage into the trunk just as Tommy woke up in the car.
He leaned against the window and looked outside, feeling a little excited at the new environment.
On the other hand, Sheryl appeared melancholic. She was staring at Abigail but hesitating to speak.
She ultimately asked nothing, while they soon arrived at the castle.
The grand gardens outside were as magnificent a view as ever.
Because of the time difference, it was afternoon when they arrived.
The quiet castle was suddenly lively.
Pierre greeted Abigail immediately when he saw her, having met her before. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Althoff.”
Abigail nodded and said, “Once everyone’s settled in, you can ask the kitchen to prepare lunch for us.”
“It’s already prepared, Mrs. Althoff.” Pierre smiled, since James had already informed him of their arrival beforehand.
With that, Abigail carried her baby to the master bedroom, while Pierre led the rest to their respective rooms.
Sheryl naturally stayed upstairs to take care of the children, while Mrs. Watson, the old chauffeur, and Eagle all stayed downstairs.
Later, Abigail summoned Eagle and James to her room.
After both men arrived, Eagle was standing behind James, but he kept his eyes lowered without looking at Abigail.
He had no idea what happened that Abigail would suddenly move her entire family over to Franconia, but he was sharp enough to tell that it was something serious. It would not explain her urgency otherwise.
Looking at Abigail just then, James murmured, “Mrs. Althoff…”
Abigail said bluntly, “You’re coming with me. We’re going to find him.”
“I can do it alone,” James replied. “Your family—”
“Eagle can take care of them,” Abigail said, turning toward Eagle just then. “I’d like you to protect my children.”
Eagle stepped forward and said, “Yes, I’ll do my best.”
Abigail had planned that from the beginning, which was why she asked if Eagle could come along.
She had faith in Eagle’s abilities.
James wanted to talk her out of it, but Abigail spoke before he could. “Do you think I can rest easy if you don’t let me go?”
Seeing that her mind was set, James decided to stop talking her out of it.
“Don’t worry, ma’am,” Eagle said in turn, so that she would be relieved. “I’ll keep an eye on things over here.”
Abigail looked at him with gratitude. “I know. You’re always a man of your word.”
Eagle had to lower his eyes. “You’re putting me under a lot of pressure here.”
James clapped him on the shoulder. “We’re counting on you.”
“It’s my duty. I’m paid to do this,” Eagle replied, deliberately mentioning the last part so that they were aware he was doing what he did because he was given money to do it.
However, Abigail was too worried about Diarmuid to notice what Eagle was saying.
James did, and the sudden mention appeared abrupt.
However, he did not pry since Eagle was right—Diarmuid hired him with a generous salary.
Abigail then told Eagle, “You must be tired after journeying all the way here. You should take a break.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Eagle replied and left the room.
Abigail then turned to James. “Can we go now?”
“Okay,” James replied—he understood now that there were things that could not be hidden.
It was fine for Abigail to go anyway, since they needed answers—whether it was good or bad.
“You should go have lunch,” James said. “I’ll make the arrangements.”
“Yeah,” Abigail murmured softly—she was not feeling an appetite, but she should give James time to make arrangements.
She turned to look at her baby, who was sleeping soundly in bed.
There was a little smile on his pinkish cheeks, and he looked utterly adorably.
Abigail tenderly caressed his cheek, and it must have tickled since he moved his head.
As Abigail withdrew her hand, Tommy appeared, leaning against her door. “Mommy.”
“Come in.” Abigail waved at him.
Tommy did not, staying outside as he said, “Grandma is asking you to eat.”
Abigail naturally knew that Sheryl had deliberately sent Tommy to get her so she would remember to take care of her own health for her children’s sake.
She got up and took Tommy’s hand as they headed to the dining room.
Pierre had the kitchen cook Zidonian cuisines, and only Sheryl was present.
After Abigail asked Pieree to bring Mrs. Watson and the old chauffeur, Pierre asked, “Will they be dining with you, Mrs. Althoff?”
From his perspective, there should be a distinction made between retainers and the head of the household.
“Yeah,” Abigail replied nonetheless. “They’re family.”
Everyone she brought was trustworthy, and they had always helped take care of her children.
She was also indirectly telling Pierre not to make light of them.
“Very well.” Pierre nodded.
Even after Mrs. Watson and the old chauffeur arrived, the large dining table was far from congested.
However, Abigail had just taken a sip of soup and she already wanted to vomit.
She never wanted to eat, but she forced herself to do it so that Sheryl would not worry.
Even so, she could not even swallow.
After she rushed to the washroom, Eagle soon arrived, bringing her a glass of water. “You shouldn’t force yourself, ma’am.”
Abigail looked up at him just then.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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