Chapter 257 Cordelia Langley
Bella had a terrible sense of direction; she often got lost in unfamiliar alleys, let alone in such a large garden.
"Mom, how did you find the way?"
Bella seemed stumped for a moment. "I don't know either. My intuition guided me, so I gave it a try and found my way out."
They both assumed Bella was just lucky. But Bella couldn't help but look back at the exquisite garden and the hidden little door, which seemed to cast a shadow in her memory.
Meanwhile, Marcus was revisiting the place with Elijah and Isadora.
After not returning for over a decade, Elijah and Isadora looked at the main building's layout, which remained the same, and couldn't help but feel nostalgic.
Isadora tried hard to open her eyes wide, wanting to see clearly the place where their family had lived for over ten years. Her mind was filled with scenes of Ella playing in the garden as a child. Ella's laughter still echoed in her ears, and the memories felt like they were from just yesterday.
"Elijah, after all these years, I always feel like Ella has been with us." Isadora touched the carvings on the porch column, "Look, her drawings are still here, unchanged."
If she could go back, she would stay by Ella's side and never leave her sight. Isadora missed Ella very much and wondered where she was and how she was doing.
Seeing her turn away and secretly shed tears again, Elijah felt both angry and heartbroken. Though his grief was no less than Isadora's, he had to speak firmly, "Didn't you promise not to cry before we came?"
Marcus quickly supported Isadora's shoulder and advised gently, "Grandma, your eyes were just starting to get better. If you cry again, all the progress will be lost. If Ella saw you like this, she would be worried and sad too."
After Ella disappeared, Isadora cried day and night out of longing for her, damaging her eyes. Despite receiving treatment both domestically and abroad, there was little improvement. In the end, the doctor, stroking his beard, shook his head and sighed that emotional wounds needed emotional healing and no medicine could help if she kept crying.
"Okay, I won't cry." Isadora wiped her tears and took a deep breath.
Marcus was right. If her eyes were damaged from crying, what would she do if Ella came back and she couldn't see her?
Elijah smiled. "That's right. Do you remember when Ella was little? Whenever she cried, you would start crying too, and then she would cry even harder."
"How could I forget? And you were always so strict with her."
For years, people have subtly advised them to give up. Ella was twenty-two when she disappeared. If she were alive, she would have contacted her parents by now. But there has been no contact at all. Still, they refuse to give up and tirelessly search instead of enjoying their retirement.
Marcus couldn't help but feel touched. Then he said, "Let's go check out the backyard."
"Sure! Ella loved the swing set and wisteria in the backyard."
Marcus supported Isadora as they walked inside. Midway, his phone rang.
He glanced at the screen, saw the caller ID, and discreetly hid the phone in his palm to prevent Isadora from seeing it.
"Grandma, I need to take this call."
"Okay."
Once outside the main building, Marcus answered the call.
"Mom, what's up?"
"Why did it take you so long to answer?" Cordelia Langley's tone was somewhat unpleasant, clearly impatient from waiting. "Where are you?"
Marcus replied calmly, "I was busy outside."
"Busy with what? Who are you with?"
Marcus frowned. "I'm not a criminal. You don't need to interrogate me."
Cordelia's voice suddenly became sharp. "You got it backward! I'm the one being treated like a criminal. Why do you all treat me like this?"
"Mom, why are you saying that?"
"Why didn't you tell me your grandparents were coming back to the country?"
Marcus was speechless.
"I knew you did it on purpose!"
"Mom," he said, somewhat helplessly.
"You're with them now, aren't you? I just went to the old house, and the butler said you picked them up. Are you still trying to lie to me?"
"Where are you now? I'm coming over."
Marcus's expression turned serious. "Calm down. Grandma is not in a good emotional state right now. You should come another day."
Cordelia retorted, "What do you mean by that? Are you saying that seeing me will make her feel worse? I'm her daughter! I don't understand why you all treat me like a thief!"
Over the years, Elijah and Isadora would rather call Marcus than communicate with her. Even when Cordelia occasionally called them, they would always find various excuses to end the conversation quickly.
Marcus replied, "You should know the reason. Do I really need to spell it out?"
"Go ahead! Say it if you dare. I want to know what's been on your mind."
Marcus clenched his teeth, his jaw tightening. "I don't want to argue with you." This was his last attempt at patience.
But Cordelia on the other end of the line was relentless. "No! We need to clear this up today. I'm your mother, not your enemy!"
"Fine," Marcus took a deep breath and spoke slowly, "Because of what happened back then, Grandma has always held a grudge against you. Your presence now would only agitate her further. The doctor has already said that Grandma can't take any more emotional stress. Do you think Grandpa insisted on bringing her back to the country because he missed us?"
Cordelia tried to retort, but found herself speechless. Then Marcus ended the call in silence and walked back inside.
"Marcus, who was on the phone?"
"Just some business matters. It's all sorted now."
"That's good."
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