Chapter 709 This Thing Is Very Important
"Mom, Esther's been gone for years. Why do you keep bringing her up? Is it me who can't let go, or is it you?"
Leo's lips curled into a cold smile, his face indifferent as he faced Fiona's questioning.
"Yeah, it's the heart's troubles that are the hardest to let go."
Fiona's eyes widened in anger. "You!"
"Enough."
Seeing that Fiona and Leo were about to argue again, Brandon furrowed his brows and spoke coldly.
"After being away for over a decade, you come back just to upset Grandma? Leo, you came back to see me and Adeline, right? You've seen us now, so it's time for you to leave."
He glanced at his watch. "The servant said you only had a few minutes. Your time is up. If you have nothing else, please leave."
Brandon's words made Leo's face darken. He wanted to say something but then noticed Adeline standing behind Brandon.
Leo narrowed his eyes and smiled at Adeline. "You must be Adeline, the one getting engaged to him tonight? That makes you my future daughter-in-law. It's not too much to ask you to see me out, is it?"
Adeline hesitated, then nodded. "Alright."
Brandon quickly grabbed her hand. "Adeline! Don't go."
Adeline was silent for a moment before gently pulling her hand away. "I should see him out. After all, he is your father."
She took a deep breath and turned to smile at Leo. "Mr. Leo Torres, this way, please."
Leo narrowed his eyes and then followed Adeline out.
After they left, Brandon looked up, his gaze icy as he stared at Fiona. "Didn't I tell you not to let him come back?"
Fiona, usually so domineering, now showed a rare moment of vulnerability. She sighed and spoke with a touch of frustration. "He escaped from the church on his own. My people couldn't stop him."
Brandon's usual gentle demeanor was replaced by a stern look. "If he ruins my plans, I won't forgive you!"
Adeline walked Leo out of the Torres Mansion in silence. Once they reached the street, Leo finally smiled faintly. "Are you sure you want to marry Brandon?"
Adeline smiled. "You've seen the engagement announcements all over town. How could it be fake?"
Leo narrowed his eyes. "What kind of person do you think Brandon is?"
Without hesitation, she replied, "He's gentle, kind-hearted, and respectful."
Leo couldn't help but laugh. "I advise you to reconsider. You don't really know him."
Adeline frowned. She thought Leo had come down from the mountain church because he was happy about Brandon's engagement. But now he was saying this?
"I think it's you who doesn't know him well, Mr. Torres. You live in seclusion and rarely interact with him. If you knew him better, you wouldn't think this way."
Leo's smile turned cold. He stepped in front of Adeline. "Ms. Wilson, every hardship we face is a result of our own choices. If you regret it later, remember that I warned you today."
He turned to leave. Adeline hesitated for a moment but couldn't help calling after him.
"Mr. Torres."
Adeline caught up to him, slightly out of breath. "I heard you and Fiona mention Esther. I have a friend whose family lost someone named Esther years ago. Could you tell me more?"
Hearing the name Esther, Leo stopped in his tracks. "Is your friend last named Forster?"
Adeline nodded quickly.
Leo sighed and handed her a jade ring. "If you see your friend again, give them this. They'll understand everything about Esther. And..."
Leo took a deep breath. "There are two identical rings. The other one is with Esther's biological son. Good luck."
With that, he turned and walked away.
Adeline stood there, holding the jade ring, her emotions in turmoil. So, Esther had a son?
But Lily never knew. If she had, she would have been so happy.
As Adeline was lost in thought, something suddenly bumped into her.
She stumbled, and the jade ring slipped from her hand, falling to the ground.
"Sorry."
Brandon's gentle voice came from behind her. It was clear his wheelchair had accidentally hit her leg.
Adeline shook her head. "It's okay." But when she looked up, the ring had rolled several times and fallen into a storm drain.
Her eyes widened, and she rushed over, trying to lift the grate to retrieve it. This was Esther's keepsake, the key to finding her son!
Even if she and Jasper had no future, her three children were still Forster family descendants, Esther's relatives.
She had to return this ring to Jasper!
"Miss Wilson."
As Adeline struggled with the grate, a servant, Anna, stopped her. "Your engagement ceremony with Mr. Torres is in less than two hours. You need to get ready."
Adeline hesitated. "But this..."
"I'll have someone look for it."
Brandon sighed, wheeling over to take her hand. "Didn't we agree you'd wear the most beautiful dress tonight and be the most stunning woman in town? Going into the sewer, you'll end up a smelly mess."
Adeline bit her lip and looked at Brandon. "Make sure they find it. It's very important."
Brandon smiled faintly. "I know. Prepare yourself first. I'll stay here and supervise."
Adeline nodded. "Alright."
She turned and went back to the mansion, heading to the second-floor dressing room. She glanced out the window.
Brandon had indeed gathered a group of servants to search near the storm drain.
Her heart warmed slightly.
Leo said she didn't know Brandon well and maybe she didn't. She didn't understand why he was so good to someone who didn't love him.
"Mr. Torres, we found it." A servant handed the dirty jade ring to Brandon. "Here it is!"
Brandon glanced at the ring. If he remembered correctly, Oliver from the Phoebe family also wore a ring like this.
Was Leo trying to reveal Oliver's identity to the Forster family?
No way.
Brandon wrapped the ring in a tissue and threw it in the trash.
He wiped his hands with another tissue. "On a day like this, the trash should be emptied. Have it taken to the dump immediately. Commission a jade thumb ring of approximately equal value and bring it back."
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
