"Yes, Master Luke called last night and said he and his family will be coming back for
dinner," replied Mr. Griffin with a smile on his face.
"Alright. Have the kitchen get ready," said Old Master Crawford. This would be the first
family dinner after Luca revealed her true identity.
Even though Susan, Allison, and Louis and his family were not present, it was still
considered a family feast. Old Master Crawford attached great importance to it.
"Don't worry, the cook and the maids went out early this morning to get the ingredients,"
assured Mr. Griffin. He knew how much Old Master Crawford prioritized this family
gathering, and he had emphasized it to the cook when he informed her.
Knowing that Old Master Crawford paid a lot of attention to this, the cook would
undoubtedly put in 200% effort to prepare tonight's family dinner.
"Good. Have the chauffeur prepare the car. I’d like to go to the park for a while," said Old
Master Crawford as he rose to his feet.
"Yes," replied Mr. Griffin. Then, he went to notify the chauffeur.
Since Susan moved out, Old Master Crawford's life seemed to have suddenly become
more relaxed. Even though it was already quite leisurely back then, having Susan around
seemed to make him less relaxed.
Now, things were different. After Susan moved out of Crawford Manor, Old Master
Crawford became more relaxed. He often spent his mornings in the park nearby,
practicing yoga and playing chess. He was enjoying a retired life like an ordinary elderly
person. ...
As they were going to Crawford Manor for dinner, Luca told all the researchers to leave
work on time, and she also left the office on time.
She did not head to Crawford Manor right away but returned home first as she and Luke
had agreed. They would gather at home and then leave together.
When she got back to the villa, the three children had already returned from school. Nina
had not come back yet.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtLuca entered the living room and saw the three children doing their homework. Then, she
asked, "Has Mr. Crawford returned home yet?"
Aunt Neile was still there. That was why she addressed Luke as Mr. Crawford.
Tommy shook his head. "Daddy hasn't come back yet, but Lanie sent him a message just
now. He said he's on his way back."
"Okay, good. Continue with your homework. I'll prepare some herbs," replied Luca. When
she asked Aunt Neile to buy some herbs back last time, they were not just for Queenie but
also for Old Master Crawford.
She had planned to find time to deliver them to Crawford Manor, but with so many things
happening recently, her plan to deliver the herbs had been delayed.
"Okay," the three children replied in unison. Luca walked into the store room, found the
herbs that Aunt Niele had helped her buy before, and checked them.
The herbs were fine. There was no sign of spoilage due to the proper storage. The herbs
still emitted a strong fragrance, perfect for making herbal dishes.
Carrying two bags of herbs, Luca walked out of the store room and placed them on the
coffee table. She intended to transfer them into glass jars. At that moment, the doorbell
rang.
Aunt Neile initially wanted to help Luca, but she walked to the video intercom when she
heard the doorbell. She instinctively turned around to look at Luca when she realized the
person standing outside the door was Susan.
"What's the matter?" Luca originally wanted Aunt Neile to help with the glass jars. She
met her gaze, and she had a faint feeling that something was not right. “Who is it?”
"It's Madam Crawford...” Aunt Neile added, "Master Louis' mother."
"Okay, open the door," replied Luca. She was curious why Susan had come again. After all,
she had not gotten anything the last time she came.
However, Susan was already standing at the door, and it was impossible not to open it.
She was an elder of the Crawford family, after all. Luca could not do that to her. However,
there was a sense of unease in her heart. She hoped that Luke would come back soon.
When the kids heard that it was Susan and Luca asked Aunt Niele to open the door, the
three of them simultaneously took action. They quickly packed their books into their
backpacks and went upstairs.
Lanie, the last one to go upstairs, said, "Ms. Luca, let us know when we're leaving."
Then, he followed his younger siblings upstairs to do their homework.
Only Aunt Neile and Luca remained in the living room.
Aunt Neile had worked for the Crawford family for many years. She understood Madam
Crawford well.
Susan had been living in the neighboring villa for so long without visiting. Now that she
came here, she must be looking for trouble. However, whatever trouble she was seeking,
it certainly was not with Aunt Neile.
She asked, "Ms. Luca, should I inform Mr. Crawford to come back quickly?"
"No need. He's already on his way back. It's not safe for him to drive that fast. Aunt Neile,
please prepare slippers for Madam Crawford," replied Luca. She knew that Susan must
have come to look for trouble with her this time.
Susan was Luke's stepmother, and she knew how capable Luke was after living with him
for so many years. She would not easily find fault with him.
Last time when Susan came looking for trouble for Luke, it did not end well for her. She
would not be so foolish as to come cause trouble for Luke again this time.
Therefore, it was likely that she came for Luca.
Luca's temples slightly throbbed. She had a clear understanding of how much trouble this
wealthy woman could cause.
"Yes." Aunt Neile nodded and stood by the entrance, waiting for Susan.
Susan walked in, and Aunt Neile had already placed disposable slippers neatly. She smiled
and greeted, "Madam Crawford, please change into the slippers."
Susan looked at the disposable slippers on the floor with a cold expression on her face.
She stood there without changing and asked, "Has Luke come back?"
“Mr. Crawford hasn't returned yet," replied Aunt Neile. She quickly added, "But he's
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmalready on his way back."
"What about Luca?"
"Ms. Luca has already returned," answered Aunt Neile. Aunt Neile immediately understood
that Susan had come to look for trouble with Luca.
Susan changed her shoes when she heard that. Then, she walked into the living room and
saw Luca sitting on the sofa, working on something.
When Susan came closer, she saw that Luca was handling some herbs. She was putting
them into glass jars.
Susan noticed Luca did not show any reaction when she saw her walking in. Hence, she
walked over and took a seat on the sofa in front of her, sitting with an upright posture.
Then, she cleared her throat lightly.
Luca lifted her gaze and saw her. She barely showed any reaction, and she said in a calm
tone, "Madam Crawford, are you here to see Luke? He's still on his way. Please wait for a
while."
When Susan saw Luca's attitude, she could not help but become irritated. She said, "I'm
not here for him."
Luca paused for a moment, then she asked again, "Then..."
"I'm here to look for Louis," answered Susan.
Not only was Luca surprised, but even Aunt Neile, who was serving Susan tea, was also
taken aback. She came here to look for Louis?
"Madam Crawford, you might be in the wrong place. Master Louis isn't here." Luca
continued packing the herbs into the glass jar. She finished packing the herbs into one jar
and picked up another clean glass jar.
Such bottles had a strong seal. Even if they were placed in a damp area, it would not
affect the herbs inside.
"How could he not be here? Didn't Luke secretly take him in?" Susan knew that Louis was
not here, but she had no choice but to say so.
She had no idea where Louis was now.
It was ironic that as a mother, she could not even get in touch with her own son.