Chapter 457 Ms. Grey, Someone is Looking for You
The Banks Manor was grand and luxurious. Katniss glanced around the room, estimating that even the smallest item here was worth a fortune.
"I'm not sure about the specifics, but they didn't call a doctor."
Hearing this, Tristan seemed to understand. "Just be careful and call me if anything happens."
"What about you?" Katniss suddenly remembered. "Didn't you come to Northern Grassland City to check on the branch office that Synergy Global Corporation set up a few years ago?"
A few years back, Synergy Global Corporation had rapidly expanded and established a branch in Northern Grassland City. However, due to various changes in recent years, Tristan hadn't had the chance to visit and planned to gather some information on this trip.
"I'll deal with that once your situation is under control. I'm not in a rush," Tristan said, glancing at Evie. The weather outside was freezing, and he didn't want to drag Evie around in the cold.
Katniss sighed softly. "Got it, you're blaming me for delaying things again? I'll handle it quickly."
Tristan chuckled, his tone slightly scolding. "You know the weather here is cold. Make sure to stay warm at night. I'll have a surprise for you in the morning."
"A surprise?" Katniss's mood lifted at his words.
Reluctantly, she hung up the phone, still hearing Tristan's attractive voice in her mind.
Soon, a servant came to call Katniss for dinner.
The Banks family had only two servants: Theodosia, who called her for meals, and Nicolette, who took care of the slightly older Charlotte.
Theodosia was quiet, leading Katniss without making eye contact, her head down as she walked.
Dinner was served in a room at the intersection of four courtyards. Charlotte was wheeled in.
Dwayne and Violette sat on either side of Charlotte's wheelchair. Next to Dwayne was a young man, about twenty-five or twenty-six, but with a youthful face that made him look eighteen or nineteen.
If not for his suit and his attempt to appear mature, he would have looked like a child.
"Atticus, say hello to Katniss," Violette said, then turned to Katniss. "This is my son, Atticus."
Atticus stood up politely and nodded slightly at Katniss. "Just call me Atticus."
Katniss nodded back. "Hello."
After greeting her, Atticus sat back down, trying to maintain a serious expression.
"Come sit," Charlotte beckoned Katniss.
But with the seats around Charlotte already taken, Katniss remained standing, glancing at Violette and Dwayne.
Dwayne showed no intention of getting up, acting as if he hadn't heard Charlotte.
Violette, however, smiled and intervened. "Mom, you need help eating. I'll feed you, and Dwayne will cut your food, as usual. Katniss just got back."
The implication was that Katniss wasn't close to Charlotte yet and might not want to help.
"It's okay, I'll feed Grandma," Katniss quickly offered.
Violette and Dwayne exchanged glances before Dwayne stood up decisively. "Then you sit here. From now on, you can sit next to Grandma."
He then pulled out a document from his bag. "Mom, the test results are back. She is our family. There's no mistake this time."
Typically, test results take two or three days, even with expedited services requiring connections and extra money.
Clearly, they had pulled strings and spent money to get the paternity test results the same day.
They had money for a paternity test but not for a doctor.
Katniss sat down, puzzled but keeping her emotions in check.
She wasn't sure about Charlotte's health and could only observe.
Charlotte's meal was different from theirs, a porridge that had been simmering for hours. Katniss served a small bowl, cooling it before feeding her spoonful by spoonful.
Violette occasionally gave Charlotte some easily digestible food.
"Look, Katniss, you eat faster when she's here. You must want to finish quickly so she can eat," Violette teased.
"It's cold, and it will get cold soon," Charlotte turned to Katniss. "Your mom has a poor appetite. How about you?"
Katniss smiled. "I'm fine as long as I eat on time."
Charlotte smiled, relieved. "You take after me. Your mom takes after your grandpa."
Seeing Charlotte's sadness overshadowed by the joy of their reunion, Katniss felt more at ease. "We're family. If Mom doesn't take after you, she must take after Grandpa."
"Exactly," Charlotte beamed. "Katniss has a sweet mouth, just like her mom."
The atmosphere at the table became warm and cheerful, much lighter than when Katniss had arrived in the afternoon.
Charlotte quickly finished her meal. Normally, she would leave first, but she refused to go.
She pointed to a dish on the table. "Your mom liked this. Try it."
Northern Grassland City was far from Velvet City, and the food was very different. Katniss couldn't name most of the dishes.
The local flavors, with a strong scent of beef and lamb, filled the air.
Katniss wasn't fond of these flavors, but seeing the anticipation in Charlotte's eyes, she cut a piece and tasted it, nodding. "It's good."
"That one, your mom's specialty. Violette made it, but it's not as good as your mom's," Charlotte pointed again.
Dwayne rotated the table to bring the dish in front of Katniss.
Dish after dish, Katniss tasted until she was too full to eat more and had to put down her utensils.
"Grandma, I'm full."
Charlotte quickly said, "Then stop eating. Try more tomorrow. Take Grandma back to her room."
Katniss stood up and pushed Charlotte's wheelchair to her room, with Violette following closely behind after giving Atticus some instructions.
"Talk to your grandma for a bit. I'll wash her up. It's been a long day, so no staying up late to chat. Continue tomorrow."
Back in Charlotte's bedroom, Katniss was forced to sit on the sofa, watching Violette bring water to wash Charlotte's face and feet.
Charlotte seemed much better than in the afternoon, chatting with Katniss while Violette worked.
She asked about Katniss's past, whether her stepmother had mistreated her.
Katniss shared how she had been taken in by Sophia, raised, and graduated from a prestigious university, omitting Sophia's illness and her encounter with Tristan.
"That's a great university," Violette's eyes lit up. "You're a top student from a prestigious school. You might make a lot of money and take care of your grandma."
"Good," Charlotte was very pleased. "Your stepmother seems nice. We should repay her."
"Don't worry. She lives with me now and will continue to," Katniss smiled.
Hearing this, Charlotte's smile faded.
Violette's movements stiffened, and she quickly stood up. "You should rest. Grandma is all set. Go on."
Katniss felt she might have said something wrong. Charlotte probably thought she would leave after a few days.
But Violette's constant signals left her no chance to explain, so she had to leave.
Back in her room, Katniss washed up and lay in bed, unable to sleep, thinking about how to explain to Charlotte.
She ended up not sleeping all night. Just as she dozed off in the morning, Theodosia knocked on her door.
"Ms. Grey, someone is here to see you."
Rubbing her sleepy eyes, Katniss got up, put on her down jacket, and walked out. From a distance, she saw Tristan holding Evie in the living room. Both smiled when they saw her.
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