Chapter 37
Chapter 37
The banquet hall on the third floor buzzed with chatter and laughter. Tonight, the city’s elite had gathered to celebrate the Anderson family’s reunion with their long–lost lady. Almost everyone had shown up, except for those who couldn’t make it due to prior commitments.
Though Maurice’s company was struggling. Edward still had a lot of clout in the community. In his youth, he was a local hero for his disaster relief work
It was also said that he was extremely fond of his granddaughter. That was why even those who couldn’t attend personally had sent their children to the event, hoping to make commections with the Anderson family’s young lady,
Tina had arrived early with Harriet, and now they were both chatting with the guests nearby.
One woman leaned in and whispered. “Tina, you are so lucky. Not only did you find your biological daughter, but adopted daughter is beautiful and successful. You’ve got double the joy”
However, Tina and Harriet exchanged an uncomfortable look.
your
Tina held Harriet’s before responding. “Harriet has been with me for so many years. She’s like my own daughter. I just hope she can help guide Hailey a bit. Hailey’s been out there for so long, and now…. Well, she’s a bit of a mess.”
The ladies around them were quick to catch on. As soon as they heard that, they realized that Hailey, the biological daughter, was probably just some unsophisticated country girl, not someone who would fit into their world.
They had come to witness the drama, but now they were even more intrigued to see what the real Hailey would be like.
Maurice pushed Edward toward the banquet hall, scanning the crowd but not seeing Quinlyn anywhere. He couldn’t help but feel a little satisfied, though his face tightened as he muttered, “Hailey is something else. All the elders are here, and she’s
still late.
Edward nodded at the guests around them, acknowledging their greetings, but without even glancing up, he replied. “Your precious son isn’t here, either.”
Maurice scanned the room quickly. Stanley was nowhere to be found. He forced a tight smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “He’s probably busy looking after Hailey. She’s new here, and she doesn’t know the ropes. Stanley’s been the one watching out for her.
“Enough with the excuses.” Edward cut him off, waving his hand dismissively. “After this banquet, I’m taking Hailey home with me.
Maurice’s annoyance boiled just below the surface, but he managed to smile through it, saying. “Fine. I’ll take you to the
front then.
The wheelchair rolled forward, navigating through the crowd, until they reached a group gathered around the grand piano.
Harriet, who was dressed in a gorgeous white gown, was performing under the bright lights. Her smooth skin and delicate features were already hinting at the beauty she’d grown into.
When her music finished, the room burst into applause. The adults smiled warmly at her, while the kids watched with wide- eyed admiration.
Harriet stood up and took a bow, but when she saw Edward, her face lit up. She quickly jogged toward him, beaming as she cheerfully said, “Grandpa! You’re here! I thought you might miss my performance!
With her flawless skin and innocent charm, she had the kind of cuteness that melted most people’s hearts–especially adults.
But unfortunately, Edward wasn’t one of those adults.
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Chapter 37
Mm. He gave a brief nod in acknowledgment, his reply curt. His military background and stern demeanor made him seem intimidating, and his lack of warmth only made his presence more imposing
Harriet didn’t really like Edward. She knew how to play her part–finish the performance and act sweet–but that was about! all she could muster
Tina, who was still standing behind her, gently nudged her and smiled. “Harriet, you haven’t seen Grandpa in so long. Don’t you want to get closer to him”
Harriet bit het lip, forcing a nod even though she felt nervous inside. She stepped forward, taking Maurice’s place.
The crowd immediately began to praise her
“Harriet’s such a good girl. You can tell she’s really respectful, a nearby guest remarked.
“Edward, you’re lucky. Look at how sweet and considerate Harriet is. She really cares about you another voice added.
As they thought about Hailey, who was still nowhere in sight, the guests exchanged knowing glances. They couldn’t help but
agree with Tina–family bonds mattered, but without time spent together, there was no real connection.
At that moment. Harriet tried to push the wheelchair, but she wasn’t used to it. The wheels jammed and made an awkward squeak, and Harriet felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment.
Edward jerked slightly in his seat,
“Sorry, Grandpa‘ I didn’t mean to Harriet squeaked, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and fluster. She quickly apologized and tried to turn the wheelchair around.
Edward, not wanting to make things more difficult for the girl, waved his hand dismissively. “It’s alright. You’re too small for this. Let your dad do it?
Harriet’s heart sank. She could feel everyone in the room staring at her, and it made her more determined. “No, Grandpa. I can do it! Please trust me!”
Summoning all the strength she could, Harriet finally managed to turn the wheelchair.
Just as she took a step forward, she heard a rustling sound up ahead. The wheels had pressed down on the blanket on Edward’s lap, causing it to slip halfway off. Only a small corner of it was still hanging on.
Harriet rushed over to pick it up, but then, out of the corner of her eye, she saw Edward’s legs, and she froze. Her eyes widened in shock.
Suddenly, she screamed, “Ah!”
Everyone in the room immediately turned toward the scream. Their gazes fell on Edward’s empty pant legs. After a stunned moment of silence, a few of the adults quickly covered their children’s mouths.
Edward’s legs had been blown off in battle, a wound that had earned him veteran’s disability benefits. It was a mark of honor -one that no one would ever mock.
But Harriet had rarely interacted with Edward, and she’d never seen his legs up close. Now, caught off guard and face–to- face with them, she forgot everything she had been told. The sight terrified her, and she instantly broke into tears.
“Why are you crying? Get up and apologize to Grandpa!” Maurice, who usually doted on her, was now visibly upset.
darkened with frustration.
dut do anything to stop her.
But Tina stepped in between them, protecting Harriet, and Maurice couldn’t do anything to
His face
As he looked around at the guests, Maurice’s face twisted with frustration. He felt like he couldn’t be there a second longer.
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Chapter 37
Edward, meanwhile, didn’t look much better himself. His face was tight, his expression unreadable.
* 71%
He glanced at the family of three in front of him. No one seemed interested in picking up his blanket, so he sighed and bent down to grabs it himself.
Just as his fingers were almost touching the fabric, a small hand reached down and gently draped it over his legs
“Grandpa,” a sofi voice said.
Her voice was unusually calm for her age. When Edward looked up, he saw the little girl he hadn’t seen in days.
Quinlyn hadn’t expected his legs to be in this condition. As she carefully tucked the blanket around him, she paused for a moment, her eyes lingering on his legs. She whispered, “Does it hurt?”
Edward hesitated, his expression softening as he looked at her. He shook his head, “It’s an old injury. It doesn’t hurt.
anymore.”
“Mm” Quinlyn nodded. She adjusted the blanket with extra care. “I heard that you shouldn’t let an injured part get cold. When it rains, the dampness could make it hurt more. You have to be careful.”
Her simple concern hit Edward like a wave.
He reached up with his aging hand and gently patted her head. His usually serious face softened into a smile. “From now on, you should come live with me. You’ll remind me of things like this.”
Quinlyn hadn’t really planned on moving into Anderson Manor. She already had her own place, after all. But seeing the way Edward’s legs were, and the hopeful look in his eyes, she nodded. “Okay”
At that moment, it clicked for everyone around them. The girl who had just appeared was the long–lost true heiress of the Anderson family.
