Suddenly, she looked attentive, even hopeful. “I have not eaten cake and ice cream in a long time. Grandma said I can only eat after I get better.”
Her earnest response somehow touched me. “Okay. It’s a promise then!”
“Hooray!” she exclaimed. Then she took out a pocket-size notebook from behind her pillow. “Ms. Stanhope, my grandma wants you to take this.” She passed it to me. “It’s my mom’s diary. And Grandma said I should thank you for your kind help.”
Confused, I reached out for the diary. “Your mom’s diary?”
She nodded. “Yes. I don’t know what she wrote because I can’t read. Grandma said it can help you. Now, keep it in your bag before some bad guys see it. Read it only when you reached home.” Thus, I shoved the notebook into my handbag.
We were having a nice talk when her grandparent returned from their lunch. “Mrs. Featherstone, thank you so much,” Mrs. Brooks said gratefully.
“Don’t mention it. Don’t worry about her hospital bills. I’ll find another way.”
“Mrs. Featherstone, my husband and I have tried our best. We have decided to give up on the treatment. Renee has gone through so much. We want her to enjoy her childhood to the fullest.” Despite the smile, she sounded despair.
Her words stunned me. I was at a loss for words. “Why, Mrs. Brooks? I’ve sought advice from the doctor. He said there’s still hope. If you’re worried about the cost, please don’t be. Just leave it to me. Renee is still young. There are endless possibilities ahead of her…”
Before I could finish, she broke down in tears and shook his head helplessly. “Still, she can never break free from misery. My husband and I are old now. We will only become a burden for her in the future. Not to mention, she has a wicked uncle. We caused Sasha’s death. So we can’t let Renee go through the same faith as her mother. She should live the rest of her life with no regret. She deserves happiness in this life and the next life.”
I could feel Mrs. Brooks’ pain. Somehow, I agreed with her, because even if Renee pulled through this difficult period, there was no one she could turn to. Shane, that jerk alone, would definitely make her life a living hell. Also, she had to take care of her grandparents alone in the future.
No, I must not give up hope. Before I could muster enough reasons to persuade her, Mrs. Brooks looked at me and said, “Mrs. Featherstone. I know you are being kind, and we really appreciate it. It’s getting late now. You should head home.”
I held my tongue and left the ward, utterly frustrated. I knew I have no right to decide on their family matters. Most of all, I couldn’t meddle in that little girl’s future.
Suddenly, I felt a vibration in my handbag and reached for my phone. It was a call from Nora. “Sienna!” She was as loud as always. “Are you at K City? Have you seen Armond? He hasn’t called me for days! Why exactly did the police seize the Lavelian Village project? And you, when will you come and visit me?”
I sat on the chair as I watched people walked in and out of the entrance. I saw people with different emotions—anxiety, despair, joy, and sorrow. There was also a couple who were holding their newborn baby tenderly. I watched them closely and was fascinated to see the realities of life.
Nora waited for my response on another line, but I could not utter a word. The frustration still lingered in me. “I will not visit you for the time being,” I said after a moment of silence. “Just take care of yourself and don’t worry too much. Something must have happened to the Murphys, but I’m sure Armond will contact you once things have settled down.”
She sighed and pouted. “I am hoping for you to come because I am so bored here. You know what? Grandpa is arranging blind dates for me every day! I don’t know what has gotten into him. He’s suddenly opposing my relationship. He said Armond is not a good match for me. Geez, the old man is so fickle!”
I didn’t know how to respond to that, so I just said, “Stop complaining. Maybe Mr. Oberick thinks that’s what’s best for you.”
The sun had already set when we ended the call. I was not surprised because the days were always shorter in that area, especially during autumn, where the weather was unpredictable.
At the villa, I parked my car in the garage. The smell of food lured me to the kitchen. I leaned against the door frame and watched Anthony, who was busy with the dinner preparation. I couldn’t help but break into a big smile at the sight of him in an apron.
He noticed my presence and paused. With a startled gasp, he asked, “How long have you been standing there? You should tell me you’re home.”
“I’m home.” I smiled.
He broke into a helpless grin. “Wash your hands. Dinner’s ready.”
That night was the first time I saw him in a grey sweater. “You look much younger wearing other colors than black,” I complimented him.
He arched an eyebrow and gave me a solemn look. “So you mean I look old all this while?”
I found his expression funny. “A little, like an old nerd. You looked intimidating and unapproachable. I prefer you like this. You look more amicable.”
“Fine, I will start wearing more colors.”
I was surprised that he would take my advice seriously. He had made changes to his bad habits, control his temper, and even took time to reflect on his life.
I could say it was a hundred and eighty-degree change in his image. The Anthony I knew was rather cold and hardly ever smiled. It was not a sudden change. The transition took ten years long. I didn’t notice it until I saw him jealous, longed for attention, and broke the habits. Sometimes, he would even throw tantrums. Tonight, I saw the gentler side of him.
He might not express his love verbally, but he made a habit of caring.
Noticing that I was staring blankly into space, he waved in front of me. “What are you thinking about?”
I recollected my thoughts and planted a kiss on his chin. “I’m thinking of how lucky I am to be able to meet someone like you.”
He replied, “I’m lucky to meet you too, Ms. Stanhope.”
After spending some time alone with him, my troubles dissipated, and I felt better. I went back to my bedroom and received a call from Cameron. She asked me how I was doing and urged me to visit them.
I explained to her my current situation and promised to visit them the next day. Suddenly, Summer called out to me from the other end of the phone and chatted with me for a while before hanging up.
Initially, I wanted to take a good sleep, but right after Anthony and I lay on the bed, his phone rang. Upon answering the call, his expression turned stern as he got up and changed his clothes.
Seeing his reaction, I couldn’t help but ask, “What’s wrong? What happened?”
“There are some problems with the investigation at Lavelian Village. I have to be there.” Upon that, he packed his stuff, while I changed into some casual clothing and followed him.
He wanted me to stay, but knowing my temperament, he let me do as I pleased.
Then, we rushed to the airport and boarded the last flight. On the plane, we took a brief nap, and when we reached A City, the sky was still dark. Hence, we went back to the villa and slept for two hours before going to Lavelian Village.
It had been almost a month since I went to Lavelian Village. Scanning the surroundings, a lot of things had changed. The construction was completed, as a two-story building was erected from the ground.
Not only that but the roads were also paved with cement to make walking easier and safer since it was almost winter.
The project was a collaboration between the Featherstone Corporation and the Murphy Corporation. However, now that problems had surfaced one after another within the two companies, everything was put to a halt.
Anthony parked the car at the entrance of the base, and we scanned the scene. The police officers had the area barricaded to preserve the scene for further investigation. At the same time, Rachel was communicating with the police officers, while Armond was nowhere to be seen.
“Mr. Featherstone, you’re here.” Upon detecting Anthony’s presence, Rachel came towards us and was in a good mood.
Anthony looked at her and asked, “What’s the current situation?”
“The place that Armond transferred the technology equipment was discovered, and the police officers had it sealed off. They are contacting the Murphys right now.” Rachel glanced at me as she reported to the man.
Soon after, Linda came to the scene and was rather agitated when she saw me. “Where did you go? Why is Mr. Murphy locked up in Moranta? What’s going on?”
Things were quite complicated, so I didn’t know how to tell her. After pondering for a while, I said, “It’s complicated. I’ll tell you everything in detail next time. Anyway, what’s going on here?”
The woman pursed her lips. “I don’t know. Do you remember the time when Featherstone Corporation’s technology got stolen? They were all stored in the underground warehouse. To be honest, I never knew there was an underground warehouse here after working at the Murphy Corporation for ten years. Goodness gracious!”
Hearing her words, I glanced at Anthony. Back then, I noticed something was off with the structure of the base, so I asked Anthony to look into it.
After a while, Anthony said, “Let’s go in and have a look.”
We headed toward the base, and police officers were guarding the entrance. Rachel took the initiative to talk to them. “This is Mr. Featherstone, the president of the Featherstone Corporation. We’re here to check on the technology equipment stolen from us.”
The police officers took a glance at us and said, “To go in, the person in charge for both companies must be present.”
I exchanged glances with Linda. “We are the Murphy Corporation’s person in charge of this project. Sorry to trouble you.” With that, Linda showed them her work pass.
After glancing at the work pass, the police officers let us in. The equipment on the first floor was the same as before. With Rachel guiding us, we went in and headed towards another door.
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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