Chapter 19
In the end, Ashton muttered in frustration, "They will compensate. My boss... is very generous."
Fiona smiled and pushed a cup of ice cream in front of Ashton. "Calm down."
"You're just too easy-going. Those brats in your company dare to throw everything at you." Thanks to Ashton, they discovered the bank account belonging to Donald's mother.
"As kids, the three of us used to take a stroll on this road, holding hands after dinner." Ashton patted a sturdy tree on the side of the road. "Back then, these trees weren't as tall yet."
Ashton's father passed away in a car accident when he was ten years old. A few years later, his mother met a wealthy businessman and remarried. It was also the year Ashton was able to study abroad with the help of his stepfather.
"Do you miss your dad?" Fiona gently asked.
Ashton bit his lip and nodded slightly. "Very much."
Fiona caressed her hand to offer comfort.
She didn't know who her own father was. Her mother had returned to Serene City while pregnant, and neither her grandparents nor anyone else knew who the child belonged to. Later, it was only through fragments of mumbling in her mother's drunken state that she learned her father had just proposed but was discovered to have had an affair.
After that, Fiona never asked about her father again. However, her mother gradually wasted away day by day due to her excessive drinking.
Ashton never stayed overnight. Fiona locked the door and curled up in the corner of the couch. She opened her phone and sent a message to Darwin.
" Mr. Darwin, I've moved out of the Starry Century. I left the key in the shoe rack."
After sending the message, all was quiet. Fiona didn't expect him to reply.
She casually organized the things she needed to bring for her business trip to New Port tomorrow.
When she was halfway through, her phone buzzed. She immediately grabbed the phone, and Harold's name appeared on the caller ID.
Fiona found it a bit ridiculous that she had actually thought the call was from Darwin. She answered, "Harold, I'm sorry, I've been so busy lately that I forgot about your birthday, and I have yet to treat you to dinner."
"It's okay!" Harold, as always, was cheerful. "Why not pick another day? How about having dinner with me tomorrow?"
"That won't work," Fiona helplessly said, "I have to leave for a business trip to New Port early in the morning. It will probably take a week."
"New Port?" Harold asked.
"Yes," Fiona replied.
"I understand. Since you have to leave early in the morning, I won't disturb your rest. Goodnight, Fiona."
"Goodnight, Harold."
Harold quickly hung up the phone. Fiona didn't think much of the call.
Meanwhile, the welcome banquet for Hathaway at the Solomon residence was coming to an end.
Darwin walked back after seeing off a respected elder.
The hall was brightly lit.
Anniston held Hathaway's hand, filled with joy.
"Ms. Hathaway, feel free to let Darwin know if you have any requests for the engagement."
"We will always treat you right."
"Engagement? Who is engaged?"
Sitting in a wheelchair, an elderly lady with white hair was playing with a knitted doll.
As soon as she heard the word “engagement,” she looked up.
Her cloudy eyes seemed to light up.
"Mom, Darwin is getting engaged!" Anniston said with a smile.
"Darwin is getting engaged..." The old lady lowered her head in confusion. She stared at the doll in hand for a moment before exclaiming in happiness, "Darwin is marrying Fiona? Good! Very good!"
The people in the hall all had frozen smiles.
Darwin happened to arrive at the door.
"Marie! Where is the red envelope? I prepared a big one for Fiona! Bring it here!" The old lady happily shouted.
Hathaway looked at everyone.
"Who is Fiona?"
"No one. Grandma is just confused!" Anniston quickly said, "Mom, your granddaughter-in-law is here!"
The old lady’s gaze fell on Hathaway.
After looking for a while, she suddenly frowned and burst into tears, "Where's Fiona? Darwin, where's Fiona? This isn't Fiona. I want Fiona!"
Darwin felt a heavy heartache. Three years ago, Grandma was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. One time, when Darwin didn't have time, Fiona went to the nursing home to accompany her for a few days. Who knows what kind of medicine they gave her, as a result, she became extremely fond of Fiona. In the past two years, no one could calm Grandma down except for Fiona.
"Grandma, Fiona is at work." Darwin walked up to Grandma and held her hand. "When she finishes work, I'll have her come and accompany you, okay?"
"Video call, video call!" Grandma shook her head repeatedly.
It was as if finding out that her granddaughter-in-law wasn’t Fiona greatly upset her.
Darwin had no other option. He took out his phone and saw an unread message from Fiona.
Darwin's eyebrows twitched, so he quickly opened it. Then, his face rapidly turned dark.
Fiona had moved out.
He immediately made a video call. As expected, Fiona hung up. Then she sent a message with a question mark.
"Grandma is sick and keeps insisting on seeing you," Darwin replied.
Almost immediately after sending the message. Fiona took the initiative to video call him.
Darwin sneered. As the video connected, he saw Fiona with disheveled hair, and her face had a trace of blood on it. Behind her, the background did not look like the apartment at all.
"Fiona!" Grandma snatched the phone away.
"Grandma." a sweet and soft voice came from the other side.
"Fiona, why haven't you come to see me? I missed you so much!" Grandma acted like a spoiled child.
Fiona coaxed gently, "Grandma, I really, really, really miss you. I've been so busy with work lately that I haven't had time to eat. But don't worry, I will come and accompany you after I finish my work, okay?"
"Okay!"
"Then, Grandma, will you be good?"
"Good?"
"Yes."
"Grandma, you're the best!"
Darwin listened to Fiona's sweet and lovely voice. His gloomy mood improved somewhat.
"Grandma, Fiona still needs to work, shall we not disturb her?" Darwin took back the phone as he spoke.
"Bye-bye, Fiona, come and see me, okay?"
"Bye, Grandma. I will."
Darwin took the phone back. Before he could even glance at it, Fiona hung up.
"Marie, take Grandma to rest."
Marie knew that the old lady had caused trouble tonight, so she quickly led her away.
Darwin stood up and glanced at Hathaway.
"Ms. Hathaway, please don't misunderstand. Grandma has Alzheimer's," Anniston explained.
"I understand." Hathaway smiled gently. "I am not an unreasonable person. I don't mind Darwin's past love life."
Anniston was very satisfied. "You are truly a good child! It's a gift to have you as our daughter-in-law in the Solomon family."
Darwin remained mostly silent. After a moment, he made an excuse and returned to his room.
He sat on the sofa for a while, holding his phone, staring blankly at Fiona's chat interface.
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