Chapter 385 Janna's Departure
Thinking about sparring with industry legends made Burl ecstatic.
"Charles, you've got a knack for learning languages, so you don’t need to join your sister. Do you want to do some reading with your uncle?" suggested Burl.
Charles was a self-taught prodigy, and with guidance from experts, his potential was boundless.
Chicago was happily munching away until she heard that, then her mood instantly deflated.
"Mom loves us all equally and we've always been together, so why are Charles’ language skills so much better?" she complained.
Burl chuckled.
"Sure, you grew up together, but when your brother was hitting the books, you were busy chatting with the animals on the island!"
Chicago had nothing to say to that.
Fiona gave Burl a sharp kick under the table.
Burl quickly fell silent.
"I've decided not to go," Charles said.
"Why?" Burl was surprised. "Don't you love going head-to-head with the experts?"
Charles was extraordinarily quick to pick up new skills. Even if he was defeated in a sparring session, he'd probably reclaim victory the next time he faced the same opponent.
"I just don't want to," Charles replied simply.
"Alright then..." Burl responded, a hint of disappointment in his voice.
Fiona, however, looked at Charles in concern. Charles usually wouldn't pass up an opportunity like this.
"It's okay if you're not interested now. Just let Dad know whenever you’re ready," Fiona said, patting Charles on the head.
"Okay," Charles nodded.
After lunch, it was time for Fiona to head back to the studio.
Burl took each child by the hand and led Charles and Chicago out to the car.
Fiona watched them get into the car before she turned away with a sigh. "Charles seems down."
Darwin paused, "Really? He seemed pretty cheerful this morning."
"We need to push harder on the donor match,” Fiona sensed that Charles’s sudden mood swing at the dinner table must be tied to his health concerns.
Could it be that he was shying away from socializing because he was feeling sick?
"Yeah," Darwin replied.
"We need to keep an eye on Chicago's studies. If she keeps this up, she'll struggle in grade school. Pre-K might be the only option," Fiona said with a growing headache.
If only Chicago's talent for drawing could spill just a little into her academia, she wouldn't be in such an awkward spot.
Darwin couldn't help but chuckle, nodding. "Got it."
Fiona glared at him, "I can't believe you find this funny."
"Don't worry, Chicago will make it," Darwin consoled her.
"Alright, alright, let's go," Fiona said with urgency, ready to leave. But her phone chose that moment to ring.
It was Janna.
She walked toward the studio while answering the call. "What's up?"
"Put the afternoon's work aside and come back home," Janna replied.
"Is something wrong?" Fiona stopped in her tracks.
"We'll talk when you get here."
"Okay," Fiona said, then she hung up.
"What's up?" Darwin approached her.
"Janna wants me to come back. I’ll ride back with you guys."
"Great!" Darwin was always happiest when he got extra time with his wife.
After they got into the car, Fiona checked the latest news about the Rhoads family and Monsoon Investment for any negative coverage. Aside from the usual minor issues, there was nothing.
She suddenly remembered—Janna had a full check-up recently. Could it be about her test results? No, that couldn't be it. Fiona had downloaded and looked over the report days ago; besides some pre-existing conditions, there was nothing concerning.
So what was this about then?
Fiona was eager to get home.
Thankfully, the journey was smooth and unobstructed.
When they arrived, they saw several large boxes stacked in the living room, and Stuart was busy inventorying something.
"Stuart, what's all this?" Fiona asked, now back to being addressed as Chelsea.
"Chelsea, you're back. The lady is waiting in her room for you. You’d better go quickly," Stuart informed her.
Fiona nodded and made her way to Janna's room.
Janna's quarters were the best suite in the villa, facing south with its own small private garden. There, under the eaves leading to the garden, Janna spent most of her alone time at home, enjoying tea, coffee, or a glass of wine.
"Grandma," Fiona called as she approached and saw Janna sitting under the eaves.
Janna turned around, waving her over with a beckoning gesture. "Leaving so soon? Come, have a seat."
"Gran, where are you going?" Fiona walked over and sat beside Janna.
"Your dad is in bad shape," Janna said, her eyelids drooping. "He's been partying at home for a week straight, just drinking himself into oblivion."
Strictly speaking, Fiona hadn't really returned to the Rhoads fold. Over the years, she'd steered clear of the family gatherings and had little contact with the Rhoads outside of Janna.
"But you and I..."
"You don't have to." Janna shook her head. "If he really doesn't make it, Alice and her husband will definitely show up..."
Fiona instinctively scowled.
"And right now, you need to focus on Charles and your relationship with Darwin," Janna sighed. "No matter how much I disagree, the two of you are married, with such adorable children. I want you to be happy and harmonious for the rest of your life."
"I know, Gran." Fiona nodded seriously.
Janna looked at Fiona and gently caressed her cheek, "Now that you have him, you won't have to carry the Rhoads family legacy alone. Things won't be so hard for you."
"It's still early for that," Fiona replied.
Perhaps Charles's recent mishap had made Janna particularly sentimental at the moment.
Janna was in a hurry to leave. She needed to get her things and head to the airport. But before her departure, a minor dispute broke out over Stuart’s stay with Fiona.
"Stuart should stay with Chicago,” Janna insisted.
"That's not an option," Fiona was equally firm. "Stuart needs to be by your side. He's always been your protector!"
In the end, Stuart himself couldn't sit still any longer.
"Stop arguing. I’m definitely going with the lady," Stuart declared in a deep voice.
He would sorely miss Chicago, more than words could express. But as Janna and her family had grown apart, he simply couldn't imagine letting her face her second-born child's family all on her own.
"Why, you..." Janna glared at him.
"I'll only be gone a few days. If he dies, I'll maybe extend my stay by a week or two, but then I'll be back."
"That's still not okay!" Fiona and Stuart said in unison.
Janna was speechless.
Eventually, she relented, unable to win against Fiona and Stuart. She muttered under her breath as she took Stuart with her.
"There’s no need to see me off. Darwin can do it," Janna said as she stepped out, waving Fiona back inside. "Don't worry about me. Just make sure you keep an eye on Chicago’s studies!"
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