Chapter 55 Unlock Ex-Wife Skills Again
Evelyn sits side by side with Edward on this journey, constantly gazing out the window without even glancing at him. She exhibits complete rejection toward him. Edward glances at her, wanting to ask her questions several times, but finds it difficult to speak.
Byron's private villa was located in Half Moon Bay, Mugden, surrounded by mountains. It was tranquil and peaceful, with a sense of seclusion within the city. "Grandpa! I'm here to see you!" As soon as Evelyn walked in, her face brightened, her smiling eyes resembling a crescent moon, and her clear voice sounded like a lark. In fact, she still had some lingering unease about the bracelet incident and had to mentally prepare herself before entering.
"Lily, you've come? Good girl, grandpa missed you so much!" Byron sat in a wheelchair and was pushed out by Tyler. Seeing his daughter-in-law, Byron's spirits, which had been low for several days, instantly brightened up, and even his eyebrows lifted happily.
"Where have you been playing these past few days? Don't you want me anymore? Don't you love me anymore?" Byron held Evelyn's small hand tightly, asking affectionately. Edward looked disdainful, thinking to himself, "This old man is really incorrigible. He's already eighty years old but still speaks so playfully. I wonder how promiscuous he was at eighteen. Eric probably can't even compare to him."
"Grandpa, I've been busy with work recently and went on a business trip, so I didn't have time to contact you. It's my fault. You can scold me if you want." Evelyn squatted down, smiling adorably.
"How could I bear to scold you, my girl? Just seeing you makes me happy." Byron glared at Edward and said, "If it weren't for a heartless and blind brat creating trouble, I would have been able to see my precious daughter-in-law every day. There is no need to go through so much trouble!"
Evelyn awkwardly smiled and didn't know how to respond for a moment. Edward's expression darkened; he knew he shouldn't have come tonight, and now he was going to be scolded.
"Lily, I got a new painting that I didn't want to show anyone else. I saved it to show it to you!" Byron excitedly held Evelyn's hand and led her towards the study.
"You actually want me to help you appraise it, don't you?" Evelyn smiled lightly.
"Hehe, you caught me!" Edward stood behind Evelyn, shocked suddenly. In their three years of marriage, he had no idea that she was so talented and skilled in racing, calligraphy, tailoring, and even appraising art. How could one person possess so many skills at the same time? He didn't believe it and wanted to see for himself.
Tyler was already wearing white gloves on the mahogany table in the study. He was carefully spreading out a painting in front of the three of them.
"Lily, this is someone new I've acquired. Please help me assess it," Byron said eagerly.
"Yes, Grandfather," Evelyn replied.
Evelyn stood gracefully in front of the painting, picked up a magnifying glass, bent down, and observed with her left hand resting behind her back.
Edward saw her serious expression, and his face remained cold, but he couldn't help but smile.
She seemed to hide an old scholar beneath her delicate and beautiful appearance, which was quite interesting.
Byron noticed the bracelet on Evelyn's left wrist and blinked, but his loving smile remained on his face.
"This is 'The Rugged Slopes and Larch' by 19th-century American master Edgar Payne," Evelyn said with a confident smile.
"Indeed," Byron nodded with a smile.
Edward narrowed his eyes slightly and quietly approached the painting, as did Evelyn.
"The Rugged Slopes and Larch cannot be confirmed as an authentic work by Edgar, but the use of curved shapes in the trees is a characteristic technique of his. The unique impressionist style and the strong use of shapes..." Evelyn softly explained, displaying a high level of appreciation for the painting.
Edward listened with fascination, and his gaze on her side profile deepened.
"However, Grandfather, I regret to inform you that this is not an original work but a reproduction created by a later artist. The brushwork does capture Edgar Payne's essence," she said.
Because the original is hanging in Charlie's private studio.
"Oh? I got it wrong again!" Byron sighed in disappointment, his expression resembling that of a child.
Evelyn lifted her eyelids slightly, and their focused gazes met.
She paused for a moment, hurriedly lowered her head, and half-hid her pretty face among her hair. Despite her efforts to restrain herself, her beautiful eyes still contained a hint of subtle shyness.
Edward's heartbeat quickened for a moment, and even his breathing accelerated.
At that moment, his phone vibrated.
Edward took it out and saw "Nicole" on the screen, his gaze dimming as he answered the call.
"Edward, are you still mad at me?" Nicole's tearful voice came through before Edward could speak.
"No," Edward replied without any emotion.
But Nicole could clearly feel that he was still upset.
"Then, will you come see me? I really miss you, Edward. I think about you every day and can't sleep..." Nicole rushed to express herself, her voice sweet and sticky.
"I can't tonight, I have to accompany Grandfather."
"Are you at Grandpa's? Then I'll go to Grandpa's house to find you. Didn't you say before that you would often take me to Grandpa to show filial piety so that he would accept me? It just so happens that I made your favorite apple pie, the one we used to secretly eat together at the street corner when we were kids. I'll bring some for Grandpa, too. Let him taste my skills," Nicole said in a gentle tone.
"Nicole, it's really inconvenient tonight," Edward softened his voice and tone when she mentioned their childhood memories. "Lily is with Grandpa. It wouldn't be good if you bump into them. You know how fond Grandpa is of her."
"You're together with Lily?" Nicole's voice trembled with anger.
"Yes, Grandpa has been looking for her these past few days, so I brought her here for Grandpa's sake."
"Is it really Grandpa who wants to see her? Or is it you, Edward?" Nicole complained again.
"No, don't think too much," Edward's throat felt dry.
"Doesn't that woman have any shame? You're already divorced. Why does she have to come between us? She must have secretly sabotaged the relationship between me and Grandpa! Using Grandpa to suppress me, how shameless!" Nicole said angrily.
Edward rubbed his temple with a pained expression and sighed.
In his study, Evelyn remembered Edward's deep gaze from earlier, and she blushed shyly.
Damn it! Why did she blush? She's so useless!
Edward's eyes naturally carried deep affection. It's estimated that anyone who sees them would be moved.
"Lily," Byron suddenly called her.
"Grandpa," Evelyn's thoughts returned, and she smiled sweetly.
"It seems like you really like the bracelet I gave you. You've been wearing it all the time."
Evelyn felt extremely flustered; her mind was also in chaos, and for a while, she didn't know how to respond.
"Grandpa..."
"You should continue wearing it. It suits you well."
Byron smiled kindly, "I had Tyler arrange your grandmother's jewelry yesterday and found a few good gemstones. Take them with you when you leave."
I'm getting old, and I don't know how many more years I will live. I used to think Edward could take care of you for a lifetime, but now it seems that boy isn't reliable either, just like his useless father.
"I hope you have a peaceful and smooth future, but in case you encounter any difficulties, these gemstones will be enough to support you without worries for the rest of your life. Lily, what's wrong with you?"
Byron suddenly froze. A man who had dominated the world was now at a loss.
Evelyn, with her head down and a dejected expression, stood in front of him as if being punished. Her slender shoulders trembled, her eyes turned red from the overflowing tears, and ultimately, teardrops fell one by one.
"Grandpa, I'm sorry."
