Chapter 100 Strong
Robert's face stayed blank as he thought, 'Finnian would never guess that some random old lady would spill his location so easily.'
He flashed Grace a polite smile and spun a tale. "Yeah, he got hitched young, but now his rich wife thinks he's too old and isn't into him anymore. So, he threw a fit and came back here. But honestly, he should chill out. A guy should behave once he's married."
Robert was just trying to satisfy Grace's curiosity, but to his surprise, she agreed with him. "Exactly, not many people have common sense these days. What's the point of making a scene after marrying into a wealthy family? It's normal for women to get bored and move on. Once they're done playing, they come back. Finnian is just being unreasonable!"
Robert wasn't there to chat, so he quickly redirected the conversation. "So, where does Finnian live?"
Grace squinted and pointed with her cane. "Just follow this road straight ahead. When you see an osmanthus tree, turn left. The house with the red roof at the end is his."
Robert silently repeated her directions in his mind and then thanked her softly, "Thanks, I'll be on my way."
Following Grace's directions, Robert easily found the house with the red roof. It was a two-story place but looked pretty old and worn out.
Not wanting to stand out, Robert pretended to be just passing by and found a hidden spot to stake out. He waited until nightfall, but no one came out of the house. If it weren't for the lights inside, Robert would have thought Grace had tricked him.
Robert pulled his coat tighter around him; the countryside was especially cold at night.
Suddenly, a withered hand landed on his left shoulder, startling him so much that he screamed and fell to the ground.
A familiar voice spoke up. "You're here to find Finnian. Why aren't you at his house? What are you doing here? It's already dark."
Robert was nervous, but seeing it was Grace, he relaxed a bit. Still shaken, he snapped, "It's none of your business. It's late, you should go home."
Grace planted her cane into the ground and said eerily, "I wouldn't care, but you're standing in my vegetable garden. You just crushed five of my plants."
Feeling embarrassed, Robert quickly stood up and apologized, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."
Grace extended her hand. "It's fine, just pay for it."
Knowing he was in the wrong, Robert obediently took out a hundred dollars and respectfully handed it to her. Grace took the money with a satisfied hum. "Come on in, have a seat at my place. If you're here to stake out, my house has a better view."
Robert was surprised by Grace's kindness and followed her.
Grace's house was small but very cozy.
She pointed to a window. "Sit there, you can see perfectly. But he won't come out until around ten at night to take out the trash."
Robert's eyes widened, and he couldn't help but ask, "How do you know so much?"
Grace took off her coat and leisurely sipped her coffee. "I'm old and have no one to keep me company. I have nothing better to do than watch the people around me. You should be thanking me."
Robert realized that despite Grace's nosiness, her info was super useful.
Feeling a bit embarrassed, Robert scratched his head. "Can I bring a few more people to keep you company?"
Grace paused her coffee-sipping, her eyes gleaming shrewdly. "Sure, but it'll cost you."
Hearing that, he relaxed immediately, because it was easy for him to solve problems with money. He handed over the rest of his cash to Grace. "A small token of appreciation."
Grace, satisfied, pocketed the money and went to the back room. Robert then notified Diana and Isolde to come over.
When Diana and Isolde showed up, they were a bit taken aback to find Robert sipping coffee instead of keeping watch.
But the next moment, Grace brought coffee for both of them.
Grace's eyes darted between Diana and Isolde before she couldn't help but ask, "Which one of you is Finnian's wife? You're both so pretty. How could Finnian be so ungrateful?"
Robert almost spat out his coffee at Grace's bluntness.
Isolde, hearing Finnian's name, paused and turned to Diana. "What does she mean?"
Before Diana could answer, Isolde quickly realized. "Willowbrook Village, I thought it sounded familiar. This is Finnian's hometown?"
Isolde stood up, her voice shaky. Diana, seeing she had figured it out, just nodded silently.
The next moment, a tear rolled down Isolde's cheek as she cried. "He's Cecil's biological father. How could he do this?"
Seeing Isolde cry, Grace quickly realized she must be Finnian's wife. "What's there to cry about? I think Finnian isn't as good as the man next to you. There are plenty of men out there; why be sad over Finnian?"
Grace's words were so amusing that Diana had to stifle her laughter despite seeing Isolde upset.
Grace went to the back room and brought out a beautifully packaged box of candy, offering it to Isolde. "Stop crying. It's not worth it to be sad over a man. I heard you're wealthy. Listen to me, you should change different man every day, and soon you'll be happy and forget the sadness."
Grace's words made Isolde stop crying. She took the candy and put it in her mouth; it melted instantly, sweet and comforting.
Diana and Robert couldn't help but laugh, thinking that Grace was just too amusing. Diana even gave her a thumbs up, saying, "You speak with such wisdom."
Grace nodded in agreement and handed a piece of candy to Diana. When Robert tried to take one too, Grace slapped his hand away. "Men only make women cry. You can't have any."
Robert was speechless. "What does this have to do with me?"
Even Isolde laughed, feeling much better. She wasn't crying over Finnian but was saddened by the thought of Cecil's biological father kidnapping him.
After eating the candy and drinking the coffee, Isolde thanked Grace. It was the first time since her family passed away that she felt the warmth of "home" in a stranger's house.
Sensing Isolde had calmed down, Diana spoke up, "We can't rush this. I'll go first. Robert is a man; Finnian'll be more cautious."
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