âLucinda, Iâve got an ice cream cake.
Colbyâs supposed to be done with his treatment by dinner, right? Do you want to bring him back so the two kids can blow out the candles together and enjoy the cake?â
âNo, thank you.
Colby is still weak and needs to stay in the hospital for a few more days.
He wonât be coming back just yet.
â
âSuch a shame for little Colby to be sick and hospitalized on his birthday.
What if we make a video call to Mr.
Shaw when weâre cutting the cake tonight so Colby can join in?â suggested Jennifer.
Lucinda declined, saying, âNo, thank you.
Colbyâs probably exhausted after todayâs treatments.
A video chat would just be too muchâ¦â
With that response, everyone else dropped the idea.
Graham, sitting on the sofa, kept his gaze fixed on Lucinda.
He had watched Lucinda grow up.
He could tell when she was trying to hide something.
But what was she trying to keep hidden from them?
Was something else amiss with Colby? Could it be more than just a cold?
Although Graham was suspicious, he hesitated to press further.
He had brought birthday presents to N&L Fairy Land for the children, and Lucinda had allowed him inside.
Even though Lucinda hadnât spoken a word to him and ignored him completely, Graham felt their relationship had improved somewhat, which pleased him.
Moreover, he knew that even if he did ask, Lucinda wouldnât be honest since she didnât trust him enough.
Then, Graham joined Violeta in entertaining Destinee.
Outside the villa, Nathan wheeled Norton to a secluded spot in the backyard.
âLetâs talk here, Nathan.
â
Hearing this, Nathan loosened his hold on the wheelchair and stepped back, standing upright and poised.
Norton hit a button on his armrest, rotating the wheelchair to face Nathan.
From this angle, Norton had to look up at Nathan.
Nathanâs height made it awkward for Norton, who said, âCould you squat down, Nathan? My neck hurts from looking up too long.
â
Nathan pressed his lips tightly together and lowered his gaze, making it difficult for others to read his expression.
After a brief hesitation, he squatted down with the precision of a soldier, positioning himself a few steps from Nortonâs feet.
Norton felt a pang of sorrow, saying, âI didnât mean for it to feel like a punishment.
You donât need to be so formal.
Youâre in charge now.
Manage things your way.
I wonât meddle in your decisions or control you as I did when you were younger.
Youâre free to act as you see fit.
â
Without looking up, Nathan replied indifferently, âIâm accustomed to it.
â