After all these years in the Crawford family, Susan had be quite skilled at wearing such a mask.
She added, "Didn''t something unpleasant happen today? I thought I''de back to keep you
company."
Old Master Crawford could not be bothered to expose her. Her hurried return clearly indicated that she
had learned about Luke''s return from someone''s lips.
Otherwise, it would not have been such a coincidence.
"What''s there to chat about? Let''s eat first." The old master''s tone was not good. He initially nned to
discuss thepany''s development with Luke again but did not expect her to return. Her arrival had
interrupted their conversation.
Old Master Crawford hated being disturbed by unrted people and matters when he was in a
business discussion—unless it was an extremely urgent matter.
Otherwise, no matter who disrupted him, the result would be the same.
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Susan opened her mouth, but Mr. Griffin''s voice sounded. "Old Master Crawford, Madam, Master Luke,
dinner is ready."
Susan''s face immediately darkened, annoyed that her words were interrupted before she could speak.
She red at Mr. Griffin.
Mr. Griffin had long grown ustomed to Susan''s habit of giving him stern looks. He kept his smile on
his face, unaffected by her warning gaze.
"Let''s have dinner first," said Old Master Crawford, understanding that Susan did not have a proper
reason for her return.
Luke remained silent and followed Old Master Crawford to the dining room.
Susan watched the two of them as they walked away. She stopped Mr. Griffin. "There''s something I''d
like to ask."
Mr. Griffin halted and watched the two of them for several seconds from behind before turning to
Susan. His head was slightly lowered. "Madam, how can I help you?"
"Were the old master and Luke in the study just now?" asked Susan. Even though she had already
inquired with the maid, she wanted to confirm with the butler.
Mr. Griffin nodded. "Yes, Old Master Crawford and Master Luke were in the study discussing matters."
"What did they talk about?" Susan blurted out without thinking.
Mr. Griffin smiled apologetically and reminded Susan, “Old Master Crawford always closes the door
when he''s talking to someone.”
Susan knew it perfectly well, but her impatience to find out what Old Master Crawford and Luke had
talked aboutpelled her to ask a question the butler could not possibly answer.
She paused for a moment, then asked, "Did you hear Old Master Crawford scolding anyone?"
Although the study had excellent sound instion, if Old Master Crawford was scolding someone, Mr.
Griffin, who was standing outside, would certainly have heard it.
Susan had read the gossip news about Luke. Hence, she wanted to add fuel to the fire in the hope that
Old Master Crawford would be thoroughly disappointed in him.
That was why she rushed back to the manor as soon as she found out Luke had returned.
Mr. Griffin shook his head. "I didn''t hear any loud noises from inside the study."
In other words, Old Master Crawford did not scold Luke.
Susan furrowed her brows in suspicion. "Really? Don''t try to fool me. Even though I''ve moved out, I''m
still thedy of the Crawford family. I still oversee you!"
Mr. Griffin felt helpless as he listened to her threats. He could not help but think that even though she
had moved out, she still wanted to hold onto the things in Crawford Manor.
"Madam, I was standing outside the study. I really didn''t hear any loud noises inside," replied Mr. Griffin
helplessly.
Susan had no choice but to give up.
"Hmph, such rumors are being spread, yet Old Master doesn''t care. He''s really..."
She did not finish the sentence as she was about to say the old master was showing favoritism.
Although Mr. Griffin would not tattle on her on Old Master Crawford, she did not want to take that risk
either.
"Madam, let''s have dinner first," Mr. Griffin, aware of her thoughts, advised her in a hushed tone.
Susan let out a cold snort and walked toward the dining room.
Old Master Crawford and Luke were already seated at the dining table, while the cook was serving the
dishes one by one.
Old Master Crawford expressed his displeasure for Susan''ste arrival. "If you don''t want to eat, then
don''t sit down. You showed upte for dinner. Do you need an invitation from everyone in this house to
get you toe?"
Susan knew the old master was unhappy that she came inte. Crawford Manor had many rules,
especially for someone in her position as a daughter-inw...
She exined, "Father, I had a brief chat with Mr. Griffin, which made mee inte. Besides, all the
dishes haven''t even been served yet."
Ignoring her exnation, Old Master Crawford picked up his cup and took a sip of warm water to
cleanse his pte. "What''s there to talk about? If it''s about me, wouldn''t it be better to ask me?"
Susan''s face darkened. Old Master Crawford seemed to know everything.
However, there was a saying that went, ''It would be wise to keep cards close to one''s chest.''
Yet, Old Master Crawford seemed determined to expose all her thoughts, making her lose face in front
of Luke.
Old Master Crawford could both grant and take away dignity from everyone in Crawford Manor. His
words held significant authority in this house. Susan was well aware of this, but she also felt a sense of
resistance.
She thought that Old Master Crawford was the one who showed her least respect here.
The cook brought all the dishes to the table and said, "Old Master Crawford, Madam, Master Luke, all
the dishes are ready. Please enjoy your meal."
Susan waited for Old Master Crawford to pick up his cutlery before doing the same. She dug in.
During dinner, she remained silent, fearing that anything she said might displease Old Master
Crawford.
At the same time, Old Master Crawford and Luke remained silent as they finished their meal. The
dining table was rtively quiet.
After the meal, Mr. Griffin brought a cup of tea that aided in digestion to Old Master Crawford.
Susan cast a nce at Luke''s cold expression, then at Old Master Crawford. Her eyes darted around
as she contemted her words for a while. She said slowly, "Luke, I saw the news today."
Luke''s expression remained calm as water. He did not seem particrly surprised by her sudden
remark and merely responded nomittally, "Okay."
Susan saw his calm reaction. It was as though he was not the subject of the gossip news. She could
not help but turn to look at Old Master Crawford.
Then, she continued speaking in the manner of an elder, "Now that your mother isn''t here, as your
other mother, there are some things I must address. I understand that since Bianca has been abroad
for so long, you must need a woman to apany and take care of you.
"But, as the CEO of T Corporation, shouldn''t you consider thepany''s image in your actions?
"Father entrusted thepany to you so that you would manage it diligently, not so that it would be
tarnished by a woman. The way the news is being reported is quite embarrassing. How do you intend
to handle it?"
Luke lifted his head and nced at her. Then, he turned to look at Old Master Crawford. "Grandpa, I
shall head back first."
"Off you go. It''ste. Be careful on the road," replied Old Master Crawford, seemingly ignoring Susan''s
words.
Susan was exasperated by the reactions of the two of them. "Father, I know you dote on Luke, but can''t
you take this gossip news seriously? Otherwise, it''s the Crawford family that''ll get into trouble!"
Before either of them could respond, she continued, "Being unfaithful to their wives seems to be in the
genes of the men in the Crawford family. Look at what happened to Zach. He''s a prime example.
Father, you really need to keep an eye on Luke!"
Mentioning Zachary''s name made Old Master Crawford''s face turn gloomy.
Zachary''s unfaithfulness had yed a role in his demise.
Even so, Susan had no right to say something like that. Old Master Crawford''s eyes were filled with
anger as he red at her. "That''s enough. Mind your own business."