Margaret got anxious. "Abigail, this is no joking matter. Listen to me. Xander, go and book a hotel room nearby. You're not to come here without my express permission.""Grandma, how can you fall for such nonsense?" Abigail was aghast.Margaret was particularly stubborn about this. As she had failed to look after her charge and caused Cassandra's death, she had been blaming herself since.Now, she did not want the Zane family to cause any more misery to Abigail. "I'll be in charge of everything from now on."Margaret not only had experience in running a company, but she also had experience in conducting funerals. In fact, it would be better if she handled Cassandra's funeral compared to Abigail, and Xander would be more at ease that way.Xander knew that if this was not sorted out, the elders in the family would worry, so he could only leave. "Grandma, there'll be a crowd coming to pay respects to Grandma Cassandra, and Abigail will definitely be overwhelmed. Get some other people
Not long after Xander left, Melody's parents came. They paid their respects to Cassandra and then joined everyone in getting things done. Benjamin and Clara were in the living room helping Abigail greet guests who had come to remember Cassandra.Meanwhile, Jodie went into the kitchen to help. Seeing her daughter, Melody, busily helping in the kitchen, Jodie was pleased. "You're growing up," she said.Melody answered, "Well, I'm almost old enough to get married, aren't I? How could I not grow up?"Jodie asked, "Didn't that man come back to North Florivera with you?"Melody said, "He came back with us, but we didn't have time to entertain him, so we decided to have him come over after Caterpie's grandma's affairs are taken care of."Jodie was satisfied. "Hmm. You're becoming more responsible."Melody teased, "I'm mature, but what about you? Are those two still freeloading at our house?"Jodie replied, "After that unpleasant incident at Easter, I told your dad that if he lets them
At the dinner table, everyone was eating and sharing memories of Cassandra. As one woman who had been her student spoke, she began to cry."You don't know how much Madam Clare did for me," she said. "We were poor when I was in middle school, and my parents wanted me to quit school to work. They hoped I could help support my younger brothers. But Madam Clare came to our house and talked to my parents. She even gave me money so I could keep going to school. Thanks to her, I got to go to high school, then college, and now I have a job I love."'Grandma was truly a great teacher. She loved to help people, and she taught me to do the same. I learned so much from her, and she helped me know what's right and wrong,' Abigail thought. She then said, "Thank you for your kind words about my grandma. I know she'd be happy to see you doing well.""Yes," the student replied, wiping a tear. "I found a job I love after college. Doing well at work is the best way I can thank Madam Clare. We've all h
'My husband? When Mr. Hannibal came, Xander never showed up, and nobody mentioned him. How did he know that I'm married? Could he really be an astrologer who knows these things?'Clara sighed with relief. "That's good."Margaret was still worried about what people were saying about Xander, that he had an unlucky influence. "Is there anyone in our family who has this unlucky influence or is in conflict with her?"Hannibal looked at his star chart, then said, "Madam, there are still men in your family, aren't there?"Margaret's face turned pale. "Yes, my grandson. Someone said he brings bad luck—"Hannibal interrupted her, "Madam Clare must have really liked her granddaughter's husband. On the day she's being remembered, and he isn't here, she must be a little sad. I think that since Madam Clare has passed away, even if the young people are really busy, they should still find time to say goodbye. We shouldn't leave her with any regrets."Margaret asked, "So you mean nobody in our f
Hannibal looked at the text message showing the money had arrived, and his eyes squinted with happiness. "Thanks to both of you. If you need my help again, just say the word."Paxton said, "Don't talk about this to anyone."Hannibal replied, "Don't worry. I won't say a word."Paxton said, "You can go now."Hannibal left, jumping and skipping because he was so happy.Paxton looked at Xander. "Your plan really worked, Mr. Zane. Your grandma has already asked your sister to call you to return."Xander said, "I'll go back first. Keep a close eye on Harvey and his wife; we can't let them cause trouble.""Okay," Paxton said, then his eyes shifted behind Xander, and his face changed. "Mr. Zane, your wife is coming..."'Abigail is coming?' Xander shivered a little, and he quickly turned to see Abigail walking toward them."Mr. Zane, I'm going now," Paxton said, hurrying away and leaving Xander alone, in a panic.Xander tried to look calm. "What are you doing down here?"Abigail aske
Xander grabbed Abigail's hand tightly. "You're not mad at me anymore?"Abigail asked, "Was I ever mad?"Xander replied, "I was worried you were angry."Abigail said, "After our last quarrel, you mentioned we should always talk things out. I remembered that, so I don't just get mad." A while back, during that quarrel, Abigail had said the word "divorce" without thinking. She felt really bad about it later because she knew such a word could hurt a lot.Xander held her hand tighter. "I remember that, too."Upstairs, Esther noticed Abigail was gone again. "Where did Abigail go, Grandma?"Margaret quickly looked around. Not seeing Abigail, she was worried. "Let's find her quickly. What if Abigail does something silly?"Melody said, "Don't worry, Mrs. Zane Senior. I bet Abigail just wanted to see her husband and went downstairs to meet him." Just as Melody finished speaking, Abigail and Xander appeared, holding hands at the front door. Melody looked at Margaret and said, "Speak of the
Margaret looked upset, and it made Abigail's heart ache to see her that way. "What's wrong, Grandma? Why do you keep saying sorry?"Margaret said, "We never told you before, but your grandma didn't pass away because she suddenly got sick. Someone caused it to happen."Abigail was shocked, and a painful feeling spread quickly inside her. She could not believe what she was hearing. Just when she was feeling confused, she heard Margaret say, "It was my driver Robert who put something bad in our drinking water. This bad thing doesn't harm regular people, but with the medicine for your grandma's sickness, it was really dangerous..." Margaret paused, then said, "I didn't mean to hide the truth from you, Abigail. I was so scared that you might be mad at Xander because of this."Abigail was surprised to learn someone else caused her grandmother's death. She felt so many emotions, especially guilt. But she knew it was not Margaret's or Xander's fault. "Don't blame yourself. It's not your fau
Abigail did not let Xander speak. "I know you were good to my grandma, and you helped me take care of her so we were happy in Florivera. I know all the good things you do. But why didn't you tell me the truth?"Faced with her question, Xander's eyes behind his silver glasses were full of guilt and panic. "Abigail, do you know what it feels like when you try really hard to reach someone, but you just can't?"Abigail answered, "Yes. When my dad left me after the car accident, and now with Grandma gone too, they were right there, but no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't reach them.""I feel the same way right now. I'm scared because even though you're beside me, I feel like I can't reach you." Xander pushed up his glasses and suddenly laughed, his laugh deep and low. "I don't even know when you became so important to me. I'm scared to think about living without you. I love you, Abigail, and I'm afraid of losing you. That's why I act so nervous and different when it comes to you.