Kern chimed in, âYes, why not stay with Mr.
Payne and the babies tonight? Itâs pouring outside.
â
Knowing she couldnât reveal the truth to Norton, Lucinda smiled.
âThereâs an urgent matter at the Simmons family.
As the head, I need to handle it.
Grandpa, Zenia will take care of Colby and Destinee, so you donât have to worry about them.
Please go to bed early.
â
Understanding the gravity of family affairs, Norton bid her farewell and let her leave.
It was pouring in Stastle.
Norton instructed Kern to escort Lucinda out of the residence, and they slowly made their way down the winding alley with umbrellas.
Kern broke the silence as they walked.
âMr.
Payne seems uplifted ever since Colby and Destinee arrived.
â
Lucinda was relieved to hear this.
She recalled witnessing Norton take some medication earlier, inquiring, âIs grandpa unwell?â
Kern let out a heavy sigh.
âMr.
Payne was once robust from his army days, but age brings its toll.
Heâs been managing high blood pressure and glucose levels with medication lately.
â
Lucinda nodded in understanding.
As they continued walking, the atmosphere grew increasingly tranquil.
A tall slender figure passed by in an ad
jacent alley.
Lucinda scrutinized the figure and recognized it as Ronan.
Suspicious, she queried, âWhatâs Ronan doing back here? Werenât he and Mylo transferred to a small branch company by Nathan? I remember they are not allowed to return to headquarters for five years, except during holidays and the New Year.
â
âMr.
Payne, being elderly, desires his grandchildren to be close to him.
So, he arranged for Ronanâs return to the branch company in Stastle.
Mr.
Nathan Payne was aware.
â
Lucinda could not object since Nathan had approved of this.
Understanding Nortonâs familial sentiments, she acknowledged his actions.
It was natural for him to want all his kin to Live comfortably.
Thus helping Ronan return to the branch company in Startle made sense.
There shouldnât be any issue with Ronan staying in the Payne family as long as he behaved himself.
Lost in thought, Lucinda was surprised upon realizing that Kern had dropped her off at the parking lot.
She dismissed Kern so that he would go back.
Then she got into her car and departed from the Paynesâ house into the drizzly night.
Instead of heading back to the Simmonsâ house, she made her way to the lab, which Nathan had organized for her before leaving.
Meanwhile, at Peace Mountain, the rain persisted, bringing a chill to the air and lowered temperatures.
Grahamâs rheumatic arthritis flared up due to his prior self-neglect and abuse.