"What misunderstanding could possibly warrant you handling it alone, Mindy?"It was Owen, looking impeccable in a crisp suit. Beside him were his doctor and secretary, all three of them dragging suitcases, clearly just off a planeMindy laughed, her face alight with surprise. "Oh, you're back, Dad! Where's Mom?""Long-haul flights are extremely tiring, and you know how frail Fiona is. She didn't want to come back to the villa, so she's staying the night in a hotel." Owen set his bag on the couch. "Did your grandpa give you a hard time again?"Mindy shook her head. "No."Dorothy couldn't hold everything in anymore. "Mr. Carver, Mr. Watson has gone overboard. Ms. Carver worked so hard to make a bowl of soup for Mr. Carver Senior, but Mr. Watson said that Mr. Carver Senior shouldn't drink it, and he barred Ms. Carver from entering the Carver residence.""Dorothy!" Mindy uttered brusquely.Dorothy muttered, "Ms. Carver, you always keep everything to yourself and never tell your fami
Warren was happily shopping online in his study. He wanted to liven up the house, especially with Aria's homecoming. Her room, in particular, deserved a cheerful makeover.Just as Warren was on a spending spree, Owen arrived. Warren used to get furious with Owen, but now he simply let him be. Warren sat silently, listening to Owen's lengthy monologue. Only when Owen's mouth went dry did he look up and say, "I won't agree to it."Owen frowned. "Why? Why can't you acknowledge Mindy after all these years?" Mindy said demurely, "Dad, please don't argue with Grandpa. It's okay if the adoption doesn't happen. He isn't feeling well, so maybe we should discuss this later."Owen was barely containing his anger. "Dad, you need to give me a reason!""It's been so many years, you say. Have you forgotten about your biological daughter?" Warren said coolly.Mindy was bewildered. This was the first time Warren had reacted this way to the topic. Usually, it ended in a heated argument. Why was
Dorothy had never seen Mindy so enraged. Her favorite rose vase lay in shattered pieces on the floor after she'd hurled it in a fury.Dorothy hesitated outside the room, wanting to comfort Mindy but lacking the courage. She couldn't fathom why Mindy had changed so drastically after visiting the Carver residence and had no one to ask for answers.Also, what was going on with Owen? He'd promised to discuss Mindy's adoption with Warren, but he hadn't returned with her.Unable to sit still, Dorothy decided to gather information. After years of working for the Carver family, she had built some connections among the staff. Owen's driver, for instance, was her cousin, whom she'd helped get the job.Dorothy asked, trying to tamp down her anxiety, "Did something happen in the residence?"Bill Dickinson whispered, "Mr. Carver has just checked into a hotel. I overheard him on the phone, and it seems that Ms. Rainbow has been found.""What did you just say?" Dorothy couldn't believe her ears
"Don't worry about me." Aria hugged Charlie gently. "You should take care of your waist injury."Charlie's usual abrasive temper was nowhere to be seen as he hugged Aria back. "If you encounter any problems, go to the Murray family. Don't worry about being rude. "You're Kenneth's student, so they'll be very eager to welcome you. Besides, they're indebted to you. Without you, Lucas would have been stuck in Southbury."Remember this, Aria. To us in Elmer, you'll always be our child. Regardless of what happens with your biological parents in Janovin, we'll never stand idly by if you're wronged, not while any of us are still alive!""Mr. Tomlinson is right. You're still one of us, even after you go to Janovin," one of the other elderly residents added feebly. "You have nothing to fear."Charlie glanced at the man. "You shouldn't say anything. Do you remember who was behind Aria's arrest last time?""I—" Aria laughed. "Mr. Emmerts is innocent in all this. That happened because some
Dorothy placed a plate of mango pudding by Mindy's bedside. "You should eat something, Ms. Carver. I asked around, and she's just a country girl who can't hold a candle to you.""She was found in Uludon," Dorothy continued disdainfully, "As if that impoverished place was capable of nurturing anyone decent! Don't you worry, Ms. Carver. You were brought up with meticulous care, and you're much better compared to her."Mindy peeked out from her blanket when she heard Dorothy's words. Her voice was muffled as she said, "This stays in the bedroom—don't bring it up anywhere else. She's the real daughter of the Carver family, not me.""She's nothing compared to you, Ms. Carver. I'm just telling the truth. She has nothing but her bloodline." Dorothy finally felt relieved now that Mindy was willing to speak. "Wait and see. Even if she returns to the family, so what? She's not destined for a life of privilege and wealth. The social circle here is ruthless—a girl from the countryside will ne
Owen wanted to argue further, but Warren was so agitated that he struggled to breathe. As Owen approached, Warren’s coughing intensified.Owen hadn't meant to upset Warren. As he reached out to pat his back to ease the coughing, Warren spat a mouthful of blood right on him! Panic seized Owen. "Dad, what's wrong?""Leave," Warren rasped.Just then, Keith strode into the room. "Mr. Carver, Ms. Carver is on the phone. She's already on the highway and will be in Janovin by afternoon. Do you want... Mr. Carver Senior!"Keith entered with a cheerful demeanor, but his words stumbled when he saw Warren's condition.It was only then that Warren caught his breath. "S-She's on the phone? Quick. Give the phone to me!""But you…" Keith hesitated.Aria could hear the commotion on the other end. Her brow furrowed. "Grandpa, what's wrong?""It's nothing, Aria. Keith is just making a huge scene out of it." Not wanting his granddaughter to worry, Warren tried his best to steady his breathing. "W
Keith didn't hold back a single detail from Aria. He named the person who came in to visit Warren and described what they brought."Ms. Mindy Carver, the one the Carver family had sponsored, wanted to send your grandfather some soup," Keith explained.Aria raised her eyebrows. "Send some soup?""Yes, she recently started bringing soup to the office," Keith added.Aria replied, "I don't think the soup is the problem. I doubt Grandpa drank any of it."Keith continued, "Mr. Carver Senior indeed didn't drink any of it. I didn't let anyone into the room, so only the chef and Mr. Carver came by."Aria's eyes flickered. "Mr. Carver?"However, Keith didn't want to elaborate on it. "Your father. He got your grandfather a little worked up."Aria seemed to be deep in thought, only talking after some time, "Mr. Watson, please help prepare a few medicinal ingredients and keep an eye on Grandpa. Don't let anyone meet with him, including Mr. Carver."Keith was smart enough to catch on. After
Inside the study, Warren listened to Aria's voice message urging him not to get worked up.Warren refused to open the door for his son, only replying, "If you didn't provoke me, my condition wouldn't have worsened. I'm warning you. You'd better leave if you still want your position in the company."Owen went closer to the door. "Dad, I'm just worried about your health."Warren gripped his walking cane and lowered his voice. "You should worry about your intelligence more. Get out."Owen clenched his hands. He didn't understand why Warren looked down on him. It seemed that he was completely worthless in Warren's eyes.Owen cast a sideway glance at the door. "Okay. I'll leave, but my doctor will be just outside the study in case anything happens."Hearing no reply from Warren, Owen turned and left. Up until now, Owen failed to tell his wife that their daughter was found.He wasn't sure how to break the news to her. Plus, he was scared that the news would worsen her condition even m