Chapter 24 Vannah Will Be Here
The others urged Grandma a few times, and she touched up her makeup again before letting Irene wheel her out.
She said. “Vannah is probably here by now. I don’t wanna keep her waiting.”
Irene teased. “Madam Brook, is Ms. Savannah the only one you care about? There’re a lot of important guests today.”
Grandma pouted. “None of them is as important as Vannah. By the way. where’s the share transfer document I asked you to prepare?”
“All set. You can transfer the shares to her tomorrow. Madam Brook, I’m afraid the others will be pretty unhappy when they know you’ve decided to give Ms. Savannah all your shares.”
“They don’t care about Vannah, which is precisely why I want to dote on her more. Anyway, Vannah is married now. The shares I give to her have nothing to do with them. Besides, you heard them today. All of them are manipulated by Alena. Of course, they won’t give Vannah a penny in the future. I have to give Vannah what I have while I’m still alive.”
“Ms. Savannah is so lucky to have you, Madam Brook,” Irene sighed.
Listening to their conversation, I felt bitter. Indeed, I was lucky to have Grandma. But I could never stay by her side again.
Irene pushed the wheelchair and took a shortcut to the banquet hall. Before she pushed open the door, I heard a cold, deep voice. “You still haven’t found her? It’s been almost a month! Are you telling me she just vanished into thin air?”
“Mr. Harrington, we’ve found every possible corner. Could it be…”
The two people stopped talking right away as they saw Grandma.
I was puzzled. Were Terrence and Landen talking about me? No way. I had only met him a few times.
Even Kaleb didn’t give a damn about me. Why would Terrence search for me? I shook my head, telling myself I was overthinking it.
Snowflakes drifted down from the sky, swirling under the streetlights. Terrence was wearing a black suit, his hair and shoulders covered in
white.
His eyes were as sharp and cold as ever. Seeing Grandma, he lowered his head slowly and greeted her with respect, “Madam Brook.”
Grandma sized him up for a few seconds and then said with uncertainty. “You’re … from the Harrington family.”
At first glance, anyone would presume he was the family’s illegitimate child.
“Happy birthday, Madam Brook. I’m Terrence Harrington. Landen, bring my gift for Madam Brook over.”
Landen behind the wheelchair walked over to Grandma with a wooden box in his hands. Then he bowed slightly and said respectfully, “Madam Brook, here’s a rare natural ginseng. Hope it’ll be of help to nourish your health.”
The Brook family never lacked treasures, but this ginseng was rare indeed.
Grandma nodded. “Thank you.”
19
Irene quickly stepped forward and took the box. “Thank you, Mr. Harrington.”
Then Grandma said. “It’s cold and slippery out here. Mr. Harrington, why don’t you go inside to warm up?” It seemed she didn’t hate him the way she hated Kaleb.
“Thank you, Madam Brook, but I’ll pass. I’m not a people person, and the only reason I’m here is to offer you my gift. It’s time for me to leave now.”
After a pause, he added, “By the way, I didn’t see Ms. Savannah back in the banquet hall. I heard no one has ever seen her after the wedding. Presumably, she’s back with you, right?”
Grandma said, “I received her gift today but haven’t seen her. Maybe something held her up.”
Irene echoed, “Ms. Savannah has always been good to Madam Brook, and she always comes back for Madam Brook’s birthday. She must be on her way back now. Mr. Harrington, now that you’re here, why don’t you stay for the cake?”
Terrence was about to leave. Somehow, he changed his mind. “Alright then.”
Then they went to the banquet hall in their wheelchairs. Terrence, aloof as ever, didn’t let anyone else see him. He asked Landen to wheel him to a dim corner.
Looking at his brooding, handsome face, I couldn’t help but wonder if he was really interested in knowing my whereabouts.
But our paths had never crossed. Was it just a coincidence that he deliberately asked about me a few times?
The banquet hall was bustling with guests. Everyone offered their
birthday wishes to Grandma with a friendly smile, and she smiled and nodded in response.
Meanwhile, her gaze swept through the crowd. I knew she was looking for me.
Kaleb was doing the same, too.
Stopping by him. I heard my mom’s voice. She whimpered, “I can’t believe how outrageous Savannah is. She still hasn’t shown up! Even Evelyn’s birthday means nothing to her now? This is totally over the line!”
Alena said, “Mom, I’m sure Savannah got held up by something. I’ll ask my friends in Lexingham to ask around, OK?”
My mom patted her hand gently. “You’re so sweet, Ally.”
Meanwhile, Victor walked over to Kaleb, nudged him, and whispered, “You haven’t patched things up with Savannah? Where is she?”
Kaleb was a bit flustered; he didn’t know how to tell Victor that we hadn’t. spoken since my disappearance.
After a few seconds, he said, “She’s on her way. She’ll be here soon.”
Victor nodded. “Alright. Go wait for her at the door, it’ll make you seem more sincere.”
“OK.”
As Kaleb walked to the door, he saw Terrence, who was sipping tea in the corner. Their eyes met, and Kaleb walked forward decisively without greeting Terrence since he was still upset with Terrence.
Kaleb firmly believed I was late because of the traffic jam because he
knew I wouldn’t miss the world for Grandma’s birthday.
To make me feel bad. he even deliberately stood under the streetlights and let snowflakes cover his whole body.
When I returned, the first thing I’d see would be his snow–cloaked figure.
Then, of course. I wouldn’t stay mad at him. Instead, my heart would ache for him.
Kaleb knew me so well; he was so good at manipulating me.
Once, we had a row, and he deliberately caught a cold to make me worried. And I was indeed worried about him; I flew to his side and took care of him meticulously, completely forgetting that we had had a row because of Alena.
Little did he know that his trick wouldn’t work this time.
I stood next to him, seeing how long he could endure.
He’d check the time on his watch every thirty seconds, and it was fifteen minutes, already his limit.
He didn’t know it was snowing heavily that night, too, when I climbed the mountain to get him the amulet.
It was both snowy and windy that day, and my vision was completely blurred. Though I wore a lot, I still felt cold to the core, and the sharp wind was like a knife, slashing my face.
I had a fever that very night after I came back. But, of course, he didn’t know any of it.
I stayed out there on the mountain for a day and a night, and he went back to the banquet hall after fifteen minutes because it was so cold out there.
Alena came to him to brush the snow off him, and he immediately pushed her away. There were so many people here, and he remembered Victor’s words well–he had to stay away from her at all times.
No one got suspicious. My mom checked the time and saw that it was already past 7:00 p.m.
Since the cake was supposed to be cut at 7:00 p.m. sharp, she whispered to Grandma. “Evelyn, it’s getting late. Shall we cut the cake? The guests are all waiting.”
Grandma’s gaze swept over the crowd again, but she still didn’t see me.
Pulling a long face, she said, “Wait a while longer. Vannah will be here in any second. She said she’d be here for my birthday.”
