Chapter 55

Chapter 55 Along the way, Chloe and Joseph sat side by side. She always looked out of the window and did not look at him.

From head to toe, there was no lack of rejection towards him.

Joseph glanced at her with his inky eyes and wanted to ask her a few times, but it was difficult to speak.

Rory’s private villa was nestled in Medo’s Morning Moon Bay, surrounded by mountains on all sides, providing a serene and tranquil atmosphere, as if it were tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

“Grandpa! I’m here to see you!”

As soon as Chloe stepped through the door, her face lit up. Her eyes sparkled like a crescent moon, and her voice was as clear and melodious as an oriole’s song.

In fact, her heart was faintly uneasy because of the bracelet, and she had to mentally prepare herself for a long time before she dared to enter. “Raya is here? Good child, I miss you so much!” Rory sat on the wheel chair and was pushed out by Secretary Webb.

When he saw his granddaughter–in–law, the old man who had been dispirited for several days instantly became hale and hearty, and his eyebrows almost flew up.

“Little girl, where have you been these past few days? Do you not want me anymore? Do you not love me anymore?”

Rory held Chloe’s small hand tightly and asked three times in a row.

The corner of Joseph’s lips twitched in displeasure.

He thought to himself that this old man was really old and dissolute. He was already eighty years old and yet he was still so improper when speaking. When he was eighteen, he must have been able to fly into the sky. It was likely that even Vincent would have to call him ancestor. “Grandfather, I’ve been busy with work recently. I even went on a trip, so I didn’t manage to contact you. It’s my fault. Hurry up and scold me.” Chloe squatted down and smiled sweetly.

“How can I bear to scold you, girl? I’m very happy to see you.”

Rory glared at Joseph, “If not for a certain cruel and unscrupulous brat, 10:18 who is blind, I would have been able to see my precious. granddaughter–in–law every day. Why would I need to go through so much trouble!”

Chloe smiled bitterly and did not answer for a moment.

Joseph’s face sank. He knew that he should not have come tonight, and that he would be the target of blame if he came.

“Raya, I just got a new painting here. I can’t bear to show it to others. I’ll keep it for you to see!” Rory excitedly held Chloe’s hand and walked to the study room.

“You actually want me to help you identify the treasure, right?” Chloe smiled, her dimples shallow.

“Hehe, you found out!”

Joseph stood behind Chloe and was shocked.

He had been married to her for three years. He didn’t know that she had a glib tongue, knew how to race, calligraphy, and tailor.

He also didn’t know that she could identify treasures.

How could a person possess so many skills at the same time? He didn’t believe it.

Therefore, he wanted to take a look.

On the long sandalwood table in the study, Secretary Webb was wearing white gloves. He carefully spread a painting in front of the three people. “Raya, this is the new one that grandpa has received. Help grandpa take a look.” Rory was full of expectation.

“Yes, grandfather.”

Chloe stood gracefully in front of the painting, picked up a magnifying glass, bent down, and placed her left hand behind her back, carefully observing.

When Joseph saw her serious expression, his expression was still cold, but the corners of his lips could not help but rise.

There seemed to be an old scholar hiding under her exquisite and beautiful skin. It was strange and interesting.

Rory noticed the bracelet on Chloe’s left wrist. His eyes flashed, but the loving smile on his face did not diminish.

“This is the Scenic Beauty of Qingluan painting of the fifth generation’s painting master, Surge Lee.” Chloe smiled, her eyes full of confidence.

10:18 “Yes.” Rory nodded with a smile.

Joseph narrowed his eyes and quietly approached the painting. He also approached her.

“The painting ‘Scenic Beauty of Qingluan‘ bears the seal of the Northern Song Dynasty’s Imperial Household Department, Zhongshu Seal‘. While it is not officially recorded, we cannot definitively attribute it to the work of Surge. However, the depiction of trees in this painting often displays a curved and stylized form, which aligns with Surge’s distinctive technique.”

“The ink brush is exquisite, the charm is superb, the smoke is translucent and the forest is untamed...”

Chloe spoke slowly with a gentle tone. Her appreciation of painting was very high, as if she was very familiar with it.

Joseph listened attentively, and for a moment, his gaze fell on the side of her face and could not help but deepen.

“However, grandfather, I have to regretfully tell you that this painting of yours is not the authentic work of the Song Dynasty, but a copy of the later generations. However, his writing is indeed very similar to Surge’s style.”

Because the authentic work was hanging in Stefan’s private studio. Haha! “Ah? Bad! Alas! I made a mistake again this time!”

Rory wrung his hands and sighed like an old child.

Chloe lifted her eyelids and met Joseph’s overly focused gaze.

She was stunned and quickly lowered her head. Her little face was half hidden in her hair. Although she tried her best to restrain herself, her almond eyes still faintly contained a hint of shyness.

Joseph’s heart shrank, and his breathing became hot.

At this time, his phone vibrated in his arms.

Joseph took it out to take a look and strode out to answer it.

In the corridor, Joseph leaned against the wall and looked at the name “Grace” on the screen. His eyes were obscure as he picked it up.

“Brother Joseph, are you still angry with me?”

Before the man could speak, Grace’s crying voice was heard.

“No.” The man answered without a trace of emotion.

But Grace clearly felt that his anger had not subsided.

10:48 “Then, then can you come and see me? I really miss your Brother Joseph. I miss you so much that I can’t sleep every day...”

Grace hurriedly confessed, her voice soft and sticky.

“I can’t do it tonight. I want to accompany Grandpa.”

You are at Grandpa’s place? Then I will go to Grandpa’s house to find you... Didn’t you say before that you will take me to Grandpa to be filial so that Grandpa can accept me?”

“I made your favorite chestnut cake. When we were young, we sat together in the alley and secretly ate it. I also brought some for Grandpa so that he can taste my cooking.” Grace’s tone was called virtuous.

“Grace, it’s really inconvenient tonight.”

Hearing her mention her childhood, Joseph’s heart softened, and his voice became soft, “Raya is here with grandpa, it’s not good for you to meet her. You know that grandpa likes her...”

“Are you... with Raya?” Grace’s voice trembled fiercely.

“Yes, Grandfather has been looking for her for the past few days. For Grandfather, I brought her here...”

“Is it really Grandfather who wants to see her? Didn’t you want to see her yourself, Brother Joseph?” Grace’s eyes flashed again, resentment surging in her heart.

“No, don’t think too much about it.” Joseph’s throat was dry.

“Does that woman have any shame? She has already divorced, why is she still lingering between us?”

She must have secretly ruined my relationship with grandfather! Using grandfather to suppress me, how can she be so shameless?” Grace gritted her teeth.

Joseph reached out to rub his aching temples and sighed.

In the study room, Chloe remembered the deep gaze that Joseph had been staring at her with, and her heart wavered.

Damn it! What was she blushing for? She was too useless!

Joseph’s eyes were naturally peach blossom eyes that were filled with desire. He probably looked so affectionate even when he looked at the toilet bowl!

“Raya.” Rory suddenly called out to her.

“Hey, grandpa.” Chloe came back to her senses and smiled sweetly.

10:48T “It seems that you really like the bracelet that grandpa gave you. You’ve always been wearing it.”

Chloe was extremely flustered, and her mind was in a mess. Her throat felt like it was filled with cement.

“Grandpa...”

“Wear it properly. People protect jade for ten years, and jade protects people for a lifetime.”

Rory smiled kindly, “Yesterday, I asked Webb to tidy up grandma’s jewelry and make a few pieces of good jade. When you leave later, take them with you. In the future, you can keep them for yourself.”

“Grandpa is old. In the past, I thought that Joseph could take care of you for a lifetime, but now it seems that the kid is not reliable. The pig oil is blinded, and he is like a dog.”

“Grandpa hopes that you will be safe and sound in the future, but if you really encounter any difficulties... These jades are enough for you to live comfortably for half a lifetime... Hey, Raya? What’s wrong with you?”

Rory suddenly froze. The all–powerful man in his life was at a loss at what to do.

He saw Chloe standing in front of him with her head down, as if she was being punished. Her thin shoulders trembled, and her red eyes were filled with tears. Finally, they condensed on her long eyelashes like ripe fruits, falling down one by one.

“Grandpa... I, I’m sorry...”

Chloe thought of how she had once hidden her identity for Joseph and stayed by her grandfather’s side. She thought of how her grandfather had treated her well all these years, and how she had failed to protect the jade bracelet that her grandfather had given her...

For a moment, all sorts of feelings welled up in her heart. She felt so guilty that tears welled up in her eyes. She grinned and burst into tears, disregarding her image.

“Aiyo, aiyo! Why are you crying? Don’t cry, don’t cry, baby...” Rory was so nervous that he quickly took out the handkerchief he had brought with him to help her wipe her tears.

Joseph, who was standing outside the door, also heard the crying and quickly turned to look at the study room.

Seeing his ex–wife crying so much that tears streamed down her face, he 10-48 was shocked. His heart suddenly contracted, and his hands shook as he held his mobile phone.