Chapter 158 Elodie is Marcus's lover
Tranquil County.
Juniper looked at Catherine, holding her waist tightly. "Why are you leaving so soon? Don't you like it here?"
Even though Tranquil County was small, the experimental base and nearby school had really boosted the local economy. The Windsor family had invested a lot, and all the facilities were top-notch.
"This place is great. I really like it. But I need to handle something back in Imperia City," Catherine said.
"What is it? Is it about the gallery and the music store? Can't our brothers handle it? Catherine, don't be shy, I'll go find them!"
Catherine quickly grabbed Juniper's eager hand. "Dominic wants me to go back."
Juniper thought, 'I know Dominic is Catherine's teacher, a big shot in the oil painting world. If I keep her here and it messes up her future, that won't be good. Catherine is a genius in oil painting!'
Juniper suddenly felt dejected, her head drooping onto Catherine's neck, inhaling her scent deeply like a cat. "Alright, I just can't bear to see you go."
Catherine patted Juniper's shoulder, promising to visit her again next time. Only then did Juniper let her go.
As Catherine's car disappeared into the distance, the smile on Juniper's face gradually faded, replaced by a deep sense of loneliness.
As Catherine left, Juniper returned to her small dormitory.
As soon as she entered, Juniper saw her desk filled with various items! There were sticky notes on boxes of all sizes, with pastries from Aurora, gifts from her brothers, things bought by the elders, and a family photo! The photo included everyone from the Windsor family, and Juniper was smiling brightly in it. The family photo on her phone background didn't include her, but this one did!
Juniper felt a mix of emotions and hadn't had time to sort them out when her phone rang.
A stranger's voice came from the other end, honest and simple. "Ms. Windsor, I'm the manager of the restaurant outside your lab. I'll be responsible for delivering your three meals a day. I already know what you like to eat, and I'll make sure you stay healthy!"
Juniper asked in surprise, "How do you know what I like to eat?"
"Catherine told me. She said that when you get busy with experiments, you might forget to eat. Catherine and Mrs. Aurora Windsor will want to see videos of you eating every meal, so you have to cooperate with me!"
Juniper put down the phone and turned over the family photo, looking at the words on the back. Charles's elegant handwriting was warm and strong: [Juniper, you will always be a part of the Windsor family. We all love you.]
Juniper covered her face, tears streaming down her cheeks, her shoulders shaking, but her heart was filled with warmth.
On the other side, Oliver found a local hospital to settle down, got his wounds treated, and was wrapped in bandages, looking like a walking mummy.
Celeste, Declan, and Anouk weren't much better off, all lying in hospital beds, groaning and complaining.
Oliver looked at his phone. "Why hasn't anyone contacted me today? That's odd. Didn't Catherine see the trending topic I bought?"
Declan cursed, "Stop looking at it. I told you to find Brent. Where is he!"
After arriving at the hospital, they realized that Brent, who had been lying with them, was nowhere to be found. They couldn't reach him by phone and were getting anxious.
'Brent is our precious grandson, and Oliver only cares about Catherine, with no respect for his elders!' Declan thought.
Anouk's phone rang. She struggled for a bit before hitting the speaker button, and a loud voice filled the small hospital room. "Are you Brent Brown's family? I'm an officer from the Tranquil County Police Department. He was arrested last night for suspected burglary. According to the law, he should be detained. Please come by to understand the situation."
Anouk almost fainted! "Sir, how could my grandson steal? He's such an obedient and sensible child."
"You'll understand when you come."
The call ended abruptly, and Anouk was left stunned for a moment before bursting into loud wails. "My dear grandson!"
Oliver covered his ears, hiding under the blanket while looking at his phone. A private message popped up.
[I want to buy this bracelet. Name your price.]
Oliver suppressed his excitement and quickly replied: [This bracelet is worth more than one million dollars]
[Okay, contact me once you find the bracelet.]
He didn't expect to find a buyer so quickly. Oliver's heart was about to leap out of his chest, but the bracelet was still with Catherine. A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes as he muttered to himself, "Accidents happen to people all the time. If something happens to her, the bracelet will be mine!"
Imperia City, The Windsor Mansion.
As soon as Catherine walked in, Philip gestured for her to be quiet. "Keep your voice down; Grandpa just fell asleep."
"What's wrong with him? Is he not feeling well?" Catherine asked.
Philip was about to pull Catherine to his room to discuss family matters when Marcus walked out, draped in a coat. "Catherine's back? How's Juniper? Why didn't you stay a few more days?"
"Juniper is doing well. She told the family not to worry about her. Dominic asked me to come back; he said there's something to handle," Catherine replied.
Marcus nodded and thought, 'Since Dominic called her back, it must be something important. It is fine for her to return.'
His gaze suddenly fell on the bracelet on Catherine's wrist! "How did you get this bracelet?"
Marcus's eyes lit up as he held Catherine's wrist, tears streaming down his face as he recognized the familiar bracelet.
Catherine was shocked. "Grandpa, what's wrong?"
Hearing the commotion, the Windsor family members rushed out and were stunned by Marcus's reaction!
"Dad, what's wrong?" Aurora looked at the bracelet on Catherine's wrist, her brows furrowing. "Catherine, how did you get this bracelet?"
Catherine was puzzled. "The bracelet was left to me by my grandmother."
'Grandmother? Was she referring to the deceased member of the Smith family?' Marcus suddenly realized something and looked at Catherine with a trembling voice, "Is your grandmother's name Elodie Smith?"
Catherine nodded, supporting the emotionally overwhelmed Marcus to the sofa. "Yes, how do you know my grandmother's name?"
Marcus looked at Catherine with a mix of sadness and unrecognized hope. "She passed away?"
"Yes, last year, from illness. Grandpa, did you know my grandmother?" Catherine asked.
"Last year? It was just last year! Elodie, you deceived me for so many years!" Marcus's face was wet with tears, overwhelmed with sorrow. "Catherine, do you have any photos of your grandmother?"
"Yes." Catherine picked up her phone and found all the photos she had taken of Elodie, showing them to Marcus, who eagerly looked on.
Marcus, wearing reading glasses, looked through the photos one by one, his gaze softening. There were many pictures on the phone, all of Elodie's daily life. Seeing her sick towards the end, Marcus teared up again. "Catherine, can you tell me how you all have been these years?"
Catherine sat beside Marcus and shared some stories with him. "My grandmother loved me very much. If it weren't for her, I might not have survived when I was very young."
Marcus nodded, looking forlorn, as if he had aged twenty years in an instant. "Elodie, have you never been willing to forgive me?"
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