Chapter 704

Alexander's words struck Evelyn like a physical blow.

Her heart clenched painfully.

Old Mr. Wright's departure, with all its unspoken regret, had already left a heavy weight on her heart. If something were to happen to Eleanor...

Evelyn didn't dare finish the thought.

If she felt this way, how much worse must it be for Alexander?

She immediately reached for his hand. Her fingers were cold. "Alexander, let's put everything else aside. Let's just spend time with Grandma."

Eleanor's time was simply running out. She was very old. There was no major illness, but her body was weakening day by day.

Saving her mother was crucial—but that required the right timing.

Natalie had said the opportunity to return came every three months. The next one was still over a month away.

She had nothing pressing to do during this time anyway.

It was better to stay by the old lady's side.

Alexander nodded, his Adam's apple bobbing.

Natalie leaned in, her eyes narrowing under the brim of her baseball cap. "You think you're safe just because you handled the Special Ops Division? That lion from Aldoria is probably lurking in some bush, watching your every move!"

Evelyn glanced at her. "Lions don't 'watch with tiger-like intensity.' That's for tigers."

Natalie: "..."

The corner of her mouth twitched. "What kind of time is this for wordplay?"

Evelyn didn't respond. She just tightened her grip on Alexander's hand. "Let's go home."

The car headed for the Vance estate.

Natalie very naturally slid into the back seat again. She pulled out the half-finished bag of sunflower seeds and resumed cracking them, crunch crunch.

Evelyn watched her in the rearview mirror.

The woman was wearing a black baseball cap today, her long hair loose over her shoulders. One hand held a small trash bag, the other dug into her purse for seeds.

She hadn't cracked any at the cemetery.

For Old Mr. Wright, she had remained quiet.

This woman with the incessantly moving mouth might not be as much of a scoundrel as she claimed.

Evelyn looked away.

The Vance family garden.

The sunlight was perfect.

Eleanor lay in a rocking chair, a light blanket over her. Cecilia Evans knelt beside her, smiling sweetly as she massaged the old woman's legs.

"Great-Grandmother, is this comfortable? Getting more sun is good for your health."

Eleanor gave a noncommittal hum.

Cecilia wasn't bothered. She continued in a soft voice, "In the past, I didn't have the right to come home, so I couldn't fulfill my filial duties. From now on, I'll come to keep you company every day..."

Eleanor lifted an eyelid. "Are you here to keep me company, or are you eyeing the few shares I still hold?"

Cecilia's smile froze for a split second before returning. "Of course, I want to take care of you. An old person in the family is a treasure. My father feels the same way... Before, it was always Uncle Alexander who monopolized your time. My dad couldn't get close. But he's always been thinking of you in his heart."

She paused, her voice softening further. "He often tells me how he saved you once, long ago. Great-Grandmother, please let my dad fulfill his filial duties too. I'm here today on his behalf."

As she spoke, she picked up a piece of watermelon from the fruit plate nearby with a fork and brought it to Eleanor's lips. "Try this, it was just cut. It's very sweet."

Eleanor shook her head. "Diabetes. Can't have it."

Cecilia immediately switched to an apple slice. "Apples are lower in sugar. Have a little, it'll help your digestion."

At her age, Eleanor often suffered from internal heat and a burning stomach. Cool, crisp apples were something she usually enjoyed.

Seeing Cecilia being so humble and attentive, Eleanor was silent for a moment. Finally, she opened her mouth and ate the apple slice.

Evelyn and Alexander stood under the porch eaves, watching the entire scene.

Evelyn shot a look with her eyes: Should we send her away?

Alexander's gaze was fixed on Eleanor's face.

Grandmother had been cold to Richard Evans because of him.

When he was a child, he would run away whenever Richard came over. Later, Eleanor simply forbade Richard from entering.

But no matter what, Richard was still her biological grandson.

When Cecilia said, "It's all because Uncle Alexander monopolized you, that's why we couldn't come see you," did a part of Eleanor believe it?

Alexander's jaw tightened. He remained standing, unmoving.

So Evelyn didn't step forward either.

Seeing that the old lady had eaten the apple, Cecilia forked a second piece. "Great-Grandmother, about Julian... My father punished him because he wanted him to come home and apologize. But Ms. Ross directly invested money in him. Now the rift between father and son is even wider. There's no chance for reconciliation anymore."

She looked up, her tone earnest. "Great-Grandmother, if you have a chance... could you talk to Aunt Evelyn?"