Regrt 287

Chapter 287

Of course, he found her appealing.

Otherwise, how could Ryan have changed his attitude so quickly, with both the marriage and the divorce?

His thoughts aligned with Bethany’s, and even with mine. Bethany raised her chin with confidence. “What do you think? I can’t be less than Charlotte, can I?”

What was I caught in the crossfire for?

Fortunately, a servant soon came running in, saying, “Madam Shaw, Miss Shaw, Mrs. Shaw has returned.”

The person backing Bethany had come back.

Bethany wiped her face with some tissue, then, with a triumphant air, took Ryan’s arm and hurried out to ” report.‘

In my mind, I only had one thought. “I Can’t stay here anymore.”

Bethany was annoying enough. Mrs. Shaw’s presence would only make things worse.

I straightened up, looked at Madam Shaw, and spoke softly, “Grandma, I need to go back to Jelaston today. I’ll leave now. Next time, I’ll come back to visit you in Jeswood.”

Madam Shaw seemed a bit disappointed but didn’t say much, only asking me to follow the butler to get something.

Leaving Frank to speak.

When I returned after getting the item, Frank happened to be coming out of the reception room.

Frank walked over at a leisurely pace, glanced at a jewelry box in my hand, and asked, “What did Grandma give you?”

“I’ll take a look.” Since the butler was present earlier, I didn’t open it then. The butler had only told me it was a small token of Madam Shaw’s affection.

When I saw the jade bracelet inside, I quickly closed the box and turned to go back to Madam Shaw’s courtyard.

It was too valuable.

But Frank casually said, “Keep it.”

“It’s too expensive…”

“Bought it in wholesales.”

He hooked his fingers on the collar of my coat, preventing me from entering further, and spoke with a hint of melancholy, “For many years, whenever Grandma met a girl who was close in age to Lily and seemed somewhat suitable, she’d give gifts.”

“Huh?” I didn’t understand the world of the wealthy. “Do you always give such expensive gifts?”

Though it wasn’t as valuable as the two jade pendants prepared by Grandpa for his children, the purposes

+25 BO

Chapter 287

were different.

Grandpa gave them as a birth gift to his own grandchildren, naturally making them the finest and most valuable.

But… Madam Shaw seemed to give gifts to anyone.

The bracelet in my hand alone was worth around 200 thousand. If she gave ten or so, the total would add up quickly.

“That’s not the case.”

Frank let go of my collar and walked with me outside, speaking slowly, “Yours is probably the most expensive one so far. Wear it. She’s not short of money. Consider it her way of spending a bit to buy some solace.”

On the way back to Jelaston, the driver was at the wheel.

Frank wasn’t napping anymore but stared out the window, lost in thought.

I gently turned the smooth bracelet on my wrist. “You and Grandma must have been disappointed many times over the years, right?”

For over 20 years, the search continued without success.

I could almost imagine the countless times of high expectations followed by disappointment.

“No disappointment.”

Frank kept looking out the window. His once sharp and critical profile now had a sheen of past

experiences, and his voice carried an indistinct mixture of emotions. “Every person eliminated brings me closer to her. Why would I be disappointed?”

I felt an inexplicable pang in my heart.

I wasn’t sure if it was envy for the unseen Lily or if I was moved by such genuine affection.

It felt like reading a novel where the favorite couple, due to the whims of fate, had to be separated.

“I also checked on you.”

Frank glanced at me, a smile appeared on his lips. “I even thought about what I would do if you really

were her.”

“What do you mean, what would you do?”