?


    He turned to me and said, "Why don''t you go change and rest for a while? Dn and I need to go out. We might not make it back for lunch, but I''ll join you for dinner. After eating, you can take a nap until I return, okay?"


    "Sure," I replied meekly. I could sense that As had important matters to attend to since we returned here.


    He swiftly left with Dn, and I watched their car disappear into the rain.


    As expected, As didn''t return for lunch with me.


    However, with Sandy and Iris keeping mepany, I didn''t feel lonely at all. In fact, I was quite content.


    They entertained me with stories, although I couldn''t recall any of the events they described. Still, I found their tales exciting.


    To be honest, the more I learned, the more intrigued I became by the estate currently under Celine''s control.


    After lunch, Sandy suggested I take a short nap upstairs. I simply agreed and went back to my room.


    I checked the time, and it was about 3 p.m. back home. After a moment''s thought, I called Lauren.


    She answered quickly and asked, "Are you doing okay?"


    "Everything''s fine."


    "How''s his grandfather?" Lauren inquired further.


    "Nothing much. It was a false rm Celine caused."


    Lauren sighed with relief on the other end of the line. "What''s she up to this time?"


    I pondered for a moment before responding, "It might not necessarily be her idea."


    "What do you mean?" Lauren asked.


    "I think Celine might be losing control over Grandpa. Even if it was her idea to summon us back, it seems Grandpa didn''t act ording to her wishes."


    "Why do you say that?" Lauren pressed for more details.


    "Today, when we visited the Pierce family''s old home, Grandpa spoke alone with As for over two hours without letting Celine in. Although was also asked to leave, I could see that Celine looked a bit nervous."


    swne


    I recounted the events of the day to Lauren truthfully. She had a sharp mind, and I enjoyed analyzing things with her.


    "Her being nervous is a good sign. If she wasn''t nervous, it would indicate something else," Lauren remarked casually.


    "Are you suggesting that if she wasn''t nervous, it would mean Grandpa had already been manipted by her?" I understood Lauren''s point.


    "Exactly! If she''s nervous, it means the old man hasn''tpletely lost his senses. There''s still hope."


    I said, "Celine seemed afraid that Grandpa would have private conversations with As, so she arrived at the family home early today. Unfortunately for her, we arrived even earlier."


    "Have you asked As about it?" Lauren asked me.


    "I did ask him, but he didn''t tell me what they talked about. I didn''t press him for more details either," I replied.


    "It''s understandable why As wouldn''t tell you the whole truth. He couldn''t bear to let you be worried," Lauren immediately exined, probably afraid I might be upset.


    "Worried? Are you saying thereC0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.


    might be some undisclosed secrets between Celine and Grandpa?" | asked, puzzled. "But why does


    Grandpa seem so indifferent to


    Celine? He even chatted with As for over two hours without her.


    Doesn''t that seem a bit unusual?"


    Lauren pondered momentarily before saying, almost to herself, "It''s not necessarily the case. What if the old man is pressuring As?"


    I gripped the phone, remembering As''s expression when he returned from the old family home. He seemed calm, but he was definitely contemting something.


    "Alright, stop overthinking. If As won''t tell you the truth, it''s probably because he doesn''t want you to worry, especially since you''re pregnant," Laurenforted me, trying to change the subject.


    "As for the matters concerning the


    Pierce family trust that As can handle them. Don''t dwell on it too much. Just treat your trip like a vacation." Lauren advised me, then asked, "You met Celine today, right? She didn''t give you a hard time, did she?"