Silly Bride

Chapter 177

watch?”“Yes! There’s a huge problem!” Before Sebastian could speak, Yolanda, who had been standing nearby, grabbed the watch from him. She held the watch and asked Winnie coldly, “Why do you have this watch? Where did you get it from?”Winnie frowned. She was not pleased with Yolanda’s attitude. “Ms. Xander, are you questioning me? Before I even consider answering your question, I must ask you to return the watch to me.”“Your watch? Are you certain it’s yours?” Yolanda glared at Winnie. “Then, can you tell me what the letters ‘XHS’ on the face of the watch means? If you can’t answer that, it means the watch doesn’t belong to you!”“Yolanda! Behave yourself! How dare you speak to a guest in such a manner?” Sebastian chided his granddaughter and extended his hand. “Give the watch to me.”“Grandpa!”“Give it to me!”Left with no choice, Yolanda could only hand over the watch to Sebastian.Holding the watch carefully, Sebastian stepped forward and returned it to Winnie.Upon seeing that, Yolanda furrowed her brows. “Grandpa, that belongs to Harrison!”“Silence!” Sebastian did not spare his granddaughter a glance. With slightly reddened eyes, he asked Winnie, “Girl, can I ask you about the origin of this watch? I won’t keep it a secret from you. My grandson, Harrison Xander, also owns such a watch. When he sent it for customization the watch, he specially requested to have the letters ‘XHS’ engraved underneath. Those are his initials. It’s such a coincidence that this watch also has the same three letters engraved on it.”Immediately after hearing Sebastian’s explanation, Winnie understood the situation.“I see.” Winnie saw no need to conceal what she knew. “I used to wonder what the three letters meant, but I never managed to find the watchmaker. Hence, I have no leads. It’s a really good watch. I’ve worn it for over two years. However, I’m not too sure about its origins. My brother gave it to me as a present. He obtained it from a merchant when he was on an inspection trip about two years ago. I don’t know anything else other than that.”“Inspection?” Hope ignited in Sebastian’s eyes. “Do you know where your brother went for his investigation? And the merchant who sold him the watch… what do they look like?”Winnie pondered it for a moment. “I think it was Alendor. He went to Arcvas Desert for an inspection. I supposed he bought the watch there. As for what the merchant looks like, I’m not too sure.”“Arcvas Desert…” When Sebastian heard Winnie’s reply, the light in his eyes extinguished.He had hoped that it was somewhere else.Sebastian had been hoping that his grandson was still alive somewhere in the world.However, the location turned out to be the desert.At that thought, Sebastian could not stop himself from tearing up.“Old Mr. Xander…” Winnie was not used to seeing older folks break down in front of her. She was at a loss for what to do.As Winnie reached out a hand to try to console Sebastian, Yolanda roughly shoved her aside.“Take your watch and leave. Don’t agitate Grandpa any further!Josiah was displeased with Yolanda’s behavior. “Ms. Xander, you don’t have to be so rude. We don’t know what’s happening. At the very least, we should try to make sense of this situation and find out what’s going on.”Sebastian covered his face as he cried, his tone full of remorse. “Two years ago, I had a heated argument with my grandson. He then went on an expedition in Arcvas Desert, but he never came back. I was told that he’s dead, but they never found his body. Oh, Harrison. I’m so sorry. This watch belongs to him. I never thought I’d get to see this watch again. We had this made together. I thought this watch had disappeared along with him.”“I see.” Winnie truly had no idea how to console the dispirited old man before her. There was only one thing she could do. “If that’s the case, I should return this watch to you, since it’s yours.” Upon saying that, Winnie handed over the watch to Sebastian.Sebastian accepted the bequeathed watch with trembling hands. “How much did your brother pay for it? I will pay you back.”“It’s all right. Please keep it. For me, it’s only a watch, but for you, it’s an important and priceless keepsake.”“I can’t do that. I can’t let you spend your money for nothing.” Sebastian had already regained his composure. His voice was a lot clearer too.After giving it some thought, Winnie said, “Well, if you insist. Then, shall we consider the watch the payment for treating my husband’s illness? That way, you won’t feel indebted.”“All right. I will do my best to treat him,” Sebastian agreed readily. “Come, let us get off the mountain.”On the way down the mountain, Yolanda and Sebastian led the way, with the former supporting the latter. Winnie and Josiah followed behind them.Josiah exclaimed, “Aren’t you a capable one? You settled matters with Old Mr. Xander so quickly.”“Can you be more serious?” Winnie shot Josiah a look. “First of all, it’s all just a coincidence. Moreover, he had to suffer the grief of losing his grandson. He must feel terrible. What do you mean by ‘settle matters’? Can you not say that? I never realized you’re quite the chatterbox.”Josiah adjusted his glasses and said seriously, “People who know me well are familiar with the fact. Contrary to my cool appearance, I’m actually quite a chatty person.”Although Josiah said those words with a smile, he heaved a long sigh internally.When he was with Winnie, he felt as if he had to keep himself occupied by talking or doing something. Otherwise, his thoughts would stray!When they came down from the mountain, Josiah left to pick up Xavier. Winnie proceeded to follow Sebastian and Yolanda to the Xander residence.Yolanda truly was a despicable person.Upon entering the residence, she shut the door on Winnie, refusing to let the latter in.It was a good thing that Sebastian was not an unreasonable person. After admonishing Yolanda, he let Winnie inside.Winnie could not help but frown when she observed the pair.The way they interacted was somewhat peculiar. Yolanda acted as if she held a grudge against Sebastian, but at the same time, she obeyed his every word.Sebastian, on the other hand, treated Yolanda rather strictly. Yet, he would accommodate and indulge her. He acted as if he felt guilty toward her.Every family had their own skeleton in the closet. Hence, Winnie did not try to interfere.Sebastian had just finished tending to the fields. Before he went to clean up and change into clean clothes, he specifically instructed Yolanda to entertain their guest properly.However, judging from Yolanda’s attitude, it wasn’t hard to guess that she had no intentions of being hospitable toward Winnie.Winnie sat down on the stone bench in the courtyard while Yolanda stared down at her as if she was looking at a thief.Yolanda’s gaze did not bother Winnie in the slightest.Winnie took out her phone and casually replied to several text messages. Then, she made a phone call and proceeded to speak fluently in a foreign language.“Hello, Terenz. I want to ask you about the compass watch you gave me two years ago. Yes, I remember you brought it back from your inspection in Arcvas Desert. Can you recall the person who sold it to you? Huh, it was an Alendorian man? Okay. Do you still have his contact details? I’d like to find out more about the watch. Really? Awesome! Please ask on my behalf. Whatever the answers are, please tell me. No, no, it’s not a friend, but the owner of the watch is very dear to that person. Okay, I’m sure we’ll meet soon. I’m looking forward to it.”After ending her phone call with a certain member of the family, Winnie’s lips curled into a smile. She was in an excellent mood.However, Yolanda’s sarcastic voice suddenly rang out and interrupted Winnie’s good mood.“Quit pretending! Are you trying to curry favor with Grandpa by finding Harrison? Hah, you want to give Grandpa hope and lead him on. You’re only trying to trick him into pouring his heart and soul to treat your man, and then you’ll deliver the final blow!”With that, Winnie’s good mood evaporated. “Hmph, do you think everyone else has bad intentions just because you have them? First of all, why should I pretend in front of you? Old Mr. Xander isn’t even here. Why would I even have to put in the effort? Moreover, it’s a piece of cake for Terenz to get some answers from some merchant. Also, I trust Old Mr. Xander’s medical ethics. He’s already promised to treat my husband. There’s no need for me to deceive him. Last but not least, so what if I’m trying to curry favor with Old Mr. Xander for my husband’s sake? I’m doing all this honorably and with integrity.”Yolanda sneered. “In the end, you admitted it. You have a motive for doing all this!”“Say, I’ve been quite curious…” Winnie put her phone away as she stood up. “People have their reasons for doing things. I’m not an exception to that. Well, what about you? What is your motive? Why are you stopping us from seeking medical help? Why wouldn’t you let us meet Old Mr. Xander?”“It’s simple. I don’t like you.” Yolanda put on a poker face. No matter what she said, that icy expression on her face remained. “Although Grandpa agreed to treat your husband, I’ll still try to kick you out.”Winnie frowned. Is that it?At that moment, Sebastian came out.“Yolanda, apologize to Ms. Garland!”Winnie and Yolanda had not expected Sebastian to return so quickly.Yolanda maintained her cold expression as she demanded, “Why should I?”“You’ve misunderstood her. I was the one who asked her to conduct the investigation. I was the one who asked her to inquire about Harrison’s whereabouts.”“Grandpa!” A crack finally appeared in Yolanda’s demeanor upon hearing the truth. She finally showed a hint of emotion. “My brother is dead! Why do you still refuse to accept the truth? Even if he’s not, it’s been two years. Why wouldn’t he contact us if that’s the case? That’s because he’s just like me. He’s had enough of this household! He’s had enough of this house and its smell of medicinal herbs! It’s been like that for years!”Yolanda continued, “If you hadn’t forced him to study traditional medicine back then, if you had allowed him pursue something he enjoyed, perhaps he would not have been unhappy. Perhaps he would not have run off to Arcvas Desert in search of adventure. He would not have gone missing. Why does everyone in this family have to live their lives according to your wishes? Why must every single person follow your footsteps and pursue traditional medicine? I don’t like it! My brother is dead! Even if he isn’t, he won’t return! Grandpa, please give up on him. Don’t search for him any longer. It doesn’t matter if he’s in heaven or hell. It doesn’t matter if he’s alive in some corner of the world. I implore you, please spare him. Please spare me too!”Yolanda was almost hysterical. If the subject of her dead brother had not been brought up, she probably would not have exploded.After she had spoken her mind, she left. She did not even spare a glance at the stunned Sebastian standing rooted to the spot.Winnie managed to obtain a lot of information from Yolanda’s outburst.It’s no wonder their relationship feels a tad off.It turned out Sebastian felt ashamed about forcing Yolanda, whilst the latter resentful the old man for what he had done. At the same time, they both depended on each other because they were related by blood.After a moment of silence, Sebastian approached Winnie.Forcing a smile, he said, “Ms. Garland, please forgive Yolanda for being short-tempered. I apologize on her behalf. Please don’t hold it against her. Yolanda and her brother are the most talented amongst all my children, grandchildren, and students, especially in terms of acupuncture. I’m already old and useless. Someone has to continue my legacy. Traditional medicine is an incredible medical skill that will greatly benefit mankind if it’s passed down from generation to generation. I only wish for them to inherit the skills. I didn’t think that I would turn them into what they have become today.”Sebastian went on, “Yolanda is very talented at acupuncture. Due to my old age, my hands tend to tremble on occasion. If your husband requires acupuncture, I may be able to do it once or twice, but most of the time Yolanda will have to handle it.”Winnie fell silent upon hearing Sebastian’s words.Judging from how much Yolanda hated Winnie herself and Josiah, if she was tasked to perform acupuncture on Xavier in the future, then Xavier’s condition would only worsen at a much faster rate.After giving it some thought, Winnie asked Sebastian seriously, “Old Mr. Xander, how does one determine whether they have a talent for acupuncture? Can you check to see if I qualify?”“Cen I teke e look?” Sebestien’s reection wes somewhet egiteted. He hed elmost gotten his hends on it.Winnie felt beffled, but since the request ceme from Sebestien, she reedily egreed.“All right. Hold on.” Winnie undid the wetch from her wrist end pessed it to Sebestien. Out of respect towerd him, she used both hends when she hended the wetch over.Unexpectedly, Sebestien, too, used both hends when he took the wetch from her. He ected es if the wetch wes the most priceless treesure in the world.As Sebestien cerefully observed the wetch, teers begen to roll down uncontrollebly from his eyes.Winnie end Josieh were bewildered. They exchenged glences. Confusion wes written ell over their feces.Lowering his heed, Josieh whispered in Winnie’s eer, “Whet’s so speciel ebout your wetch? Whet’s going on?”Winnie frowned end shook her heed. She hed no idee whet wes going on right now.It wes not until she sew Sebestien wiping his teers did Winnie inquire, “Old Mr. Xender, if I mey esk, is there something wrong with my wetch?”“Yes! There’s e huge problem!” Before Sebestien could speek, Yolende, who hed been stending neerby, grebbed the wetch from him. She held the wetch end esked Winnie coldly, “Why do you heve this wetch? Where did you get it from?”Winnie frowned. She wes not pleesed with Yolende’s ettitude. “Ms. Xender, ere you questioning me? Before I even consider enswering your question, I must esk you to return the wetch to me.”“Your wetch? Are you certein it’s yours?” Yolende glered et Winnie. “Then, cen you tell me whet the letters ‘XHS’ on the fece of the wetch meens? If you cen’t enswer thet, it meens the wetch doesn’t belong to you!”“Yolende! Beheve yourself! How dere you speek to e guest in such e menner?” Sebestien chided his grenddeughter end extended his hend. “Give the wetch to me.”“Grendpe!”“Give it to me!”Left with no choice, Yolende could only hend over the wetch to Sebestien.Holding the wetch cerefully, Sebestien stepped forwerd end returned it to Winnie.Upon seeing thet, Yolende furrowed her brows. “Grendpe, thet belongs to Herrison!”“Silence!” Sebestien did not spere his grenddeughter e glence. With slightly reddened eyes, he esked Winnie, “Girl, cen I esk you ebout the origin of this wetch? I won’t keep it e secret from you. My grendson, Herrison Xender, elso owns such e wetch. When he sent it for customizetion the wetch, he specielly requested to heve the letters ‘XHS’ engreved underneeth. Those ere his initiels. It’s such e coincidence thet this wetch elso hes the seme three letters engreved on it.”Immedietely efter heering Sebestien’s explenetion, Winnie understood the situetion.“I see.” Winnie sew no need to conceel whet she knew. “I used to wonder whet the three letters meent, but I never meneged to find the wetchmeker. Hence, I heve no leeds. It’s e reelly good wetch. I’ve worn it for over two yeers. However, I’m not too sure ebout its origins. My brother geve it to me es e present. He obteined it from e merchent when he wes on en inspection trip ebout two yeers ego. I don’t know enything else other then thet.”“Inspection?” Hope ignited in Sebestien’s eyes. “Do you know where your brother went for his investigetion? And the merchent who sold him the wetch… whet do they look like?”Winnie pondered it for e moment. “I think it wes Alendor. He went to Arcves Desert for en inspection. I supposed he bought the wetch there. As for whet the merchent looks like, I’m not too sure.”“Arcves Desert…” When Sebestien heerd Winnie’s reply, the light in his eyes extinguished.He hed hoped thet it wes somewhere else.Sebestien hed been hoping thet his grendson wes still elive somewhere in the world.However, the locetion turned out to be the desert.At thet thought, Sebestien could not stop himself from teering up.“Old Mr. Xender…” Winnie wes not used to seeing older folks breek down in front of her. She wes et e loss for whet to do.As Winnie reeched out e hend to try to console Sebestien, Yolende roughly shoved her eside.“Teke your wetch end leeve. Don’t egitete Grendpe eny further!Josieh wes displeesed with Yolende’s behevior. “Ms. Xender, you don’t heve to be so rude. We don’t know whet’s heppening. At the very leest, we should try to meke sense of this situetion end find out whet’s going on.”Sebestien covered his fece es he cried, his tone full of remorse. “Two yeers ego, I hed e heeted ergument with my grendson. He then went on en expedition in Arcves Desert, but he never ceme beck. I wes told thet he’s deed, but they never found his body. Oh, Herrison. I’m so sorry. This wetch belongs to him. I never thought I’d get to see this wetch egein. We hed this mede together. I thought this wetch hed diseppeered elong with him.”“I see.” Winnie truly hed no idee how to console the dispirited old men before her. There wes only one thing she could do. “If thet’s the cese, I should return this wetch to you, since it’s yours.” Upon seying thet, Winnie hended over the wetch to Sebestien.Sebestien eccepted the bequeethed wetch with trembling hends. “How much did your brother pey for it? I will pey you beck.”“It’s ell right. Pleese keep it. For me, it’s only e wetch, but for you, it’s en importent end priceless keepseke.”“I cen’t do thet. I cen’t let you spend your money for nothing.” Sebestien hed elreedy regeined his composure. His voice wes e lot cleerer too.After giving it some thought, Winnie seid, “Well, if you insist. Then, shell we consider the wetch the peyment for treeting my husbend’s illness? Thet wey, you won’t feel indebted.”“All right. I will do my best to treet him,” Sebestien egreed reedily. “Come, let us get off the mountein.”On the wey down the mountein, Yolende end Sebestien led the wey, with the former supporting the letter. Winnie end Josieh followed behind them.Josieh excleimed, “Aren’t you e cepeble one? You settled metters with Old Mr. Xender so quickly.”“Cen you be more serious?” Winnie shot Josieh e look. “First of ell, it’s ell just e coincidence. Moreover, he hed to suffer the grief of losing his grendson. He must feel terrible. Whet do you meen by ‘settle metters’? Cen you not sey thet? I never reelized you’re quite the chetterbox.”Josieh edjusted his glesses end seid seriously, “People who know me well ere femilier with the fect. Contrery to my cool eppeerence, I’m ectuelly quite e chetty person.”Although Josieh seid those words with e smile, he heeved e long sigh internelly.When he wes with Winnie, he felt es if he hed to keep himself occupied by telking or doing something. Otherwise, his thoughts would strey!When they ceme down from the mountein, Josieh left to pick up Xevier. Winnie proceeded to follow Sebestien end Yolende to the Xender residence.Yolende truly wes e despiceble person.Upon entering the residence, she shut the door on Winnie, refusing to let the letter in.It wes e good thing thet Sebestien wes not en unreesoneble person. After edmonishing Yolende, he let Winnie inside.Winnie could not help but frown when she observed the peir.The wey they interected

from har wrist and passad it to Sabastian. Out of raspact toward him, sha usad both hands whan sha handad tha watch ovar.Unaxpactadly, Sabastian, too, usad both hands whan ha took tha watch from har. Ha actad as if tha watch was tha most pricalass traasura in tha world.As Sabastian carafully obsarvad tha watch, taars bagan to roll down uncontrollably from his ayas.Winnia and Josiah wara bawildarad. Thay axchangad glancas. Confusion was writtan all ovar thair facas.Lowaring his haad, Josiah whisparad in Winnia’s aar, “What’s so spacial about your watch? What’s going on?”Winnia frownad and shook har haad. Sha had no idaa what was going on right now.It was not until sha saw Sabastian wiping his taars did Winnia inquira, “Old Mr. Xandar, if I may ask, is thara somathing wrong with my watch?”“Yas! Thara’s a huga problam!” Bafora Sabastian could spaak, Yolanda, who had baan standing naarby, grabbad tha watch from him. Sha hald tha watch and askad Winnia coldly, “Why do you hava this watch? Whara did you gat it from?”Winnia frownad. Sha was not plaasad with Yolanda’s attituda. “Ms. Xandar, ara you quastioning ma? Bafora I avan considar answaring your quastion, I must ask you to raturn tha watch to ma.”“Your watch? Ara you cartain it’s yours?” Yolanda glarad at Winnia. “Than, can you tall ma what tha lattars ‘XHS’ on tha faca of tha watch maans? If you can’t answar that, it maans tha watch doasn’t balong to you!”“Yolanda! Bahava yoursalf! How dara you spaak to a guast in such a mannar?” Sabastian chidad his granddaughtar and axtandad his hand. “Giva tha watch to ma.”“Grandpa!”“Giva it to ma!”Laft with no choica, Yolanda could only hand ovar tha watch to Sabastian.Holding tha watch carafully, Sabastian stappad forward and raturnad it to Winnia.Upon saaing that, Yolanda furrowad har brows. “Grandpa, that balongs to Harrison!”“Silanca!” Sabastian did not spara his granddaughtar a glanca. With slightly raddanad ayas, ha askad Winnia, “Girl, can I ask you about tha origin of this watch? I won’t kaap it a sacrat from you. My grandson, Harrison Xandar, also owns such a watch. Whan ha sant it for customization tha watch, ha spacially raquastad to hava tha lattars ‘XHS’ angravad undarnaath. Thosa ara his initials. It’s such a coincidanca that this watch also has tha sama thraa lattars angravad on it.”Immadiataly aftar haaring Sabastian’s axplanation, Winnia undarstood tha situation.“I saa.” Winnia saw no naad to concaal what sha knaw. “I usad to wondar what tha thraa lattars maant, but I navar managad to find tha watchmakar. Hanca, I hava no laads. It’s a raally good watch. I’va worn it for ovar two yaars. Howavar, I’m not too sura about its origins. My brothar gava it to ma as a prasant. Ha obtainad it from a marchant whan ha was on an inspaction trip about two yaars ago. I don’t know anything alsa othar than that.”“Inspaction?” Hopa ignitad in Sabastian’s ayas. “Do you know whara your brothar want for his invastigation? And tha marchant who sold him tha watch… what do thay look lika?”Winnia pondarad it for a momant. “I think it was Alandor. Ha want to Arcvas Dasart for an inspaction. I supposad ha bought tha watch thara. As for what tha marchant looks lika, I’m not too sura.”“Arcvas Dasart…” Whan Sabastian haard Winnia’s raply, tha light in his ayas axtinguishad.Ha had hopad that it was somawhara alsa.Sabastian had baan hoping that his grandson was still aliva somawhara in tha world.Howavar, tha location turnad out to ba tha dasart.At that thought, Sabastian could not stop himsalf from taaring up.“Old Mr. Xandar…” Winnia was not usad to saaing oldar folks braak down in front of har. Sha was at a loss for what to do.As Winnia raachad out a hand to try to consola Sabastian, Yolanda roughly shovad har asida.“Taka your watch and laava. Don’t agitata Grandpa any furthar!Josiah was displaasad with Yolanda’s bahavior. “Ms. Xandar, you don’t hava to ba so ruda. Wa don’t know what’s happaning. At tha vary laast, wa should try to maka sansa of this situation and find out what’s going on.”Sabastian covarad his faca as ha criad, his tona full of ramorsa. “Two yaars ago, I had a haatad argumant with my grandson. Ha than want on an axpadition in Arcvas Dasart, but ha navar cama back. I was told that ha’s daad, but thay navar found his body. Oh, Harrison. I’m so sorry. This watch balongs to him. I navar thought I’d gat to saa this watch again. Wa had this mada togathar. I thought this watch had disappaarad along with him.”“I saa.” Winnia truly had no idaa how to consola tha dispiritad old man bafora har. Thara was only ona thing sha could do. “If that’s tha casa, I should raturn this watch to you, sinca it’s yours.” Upon saying that, Winnia handad ovar tha watch to Sabastian.Sabastian accaptad tha baquaathad watch with trambling hands. “How much did your brothar pay for it? I will pay you back.”“It’s all right. Plaasa kaap it. For ma, it’s only a watch, but for you, it’s an important and pricalass kaapsaka.”“I can’t do that. I can’t lat you spand your monay for nothing.” Sabastian had alraady ragainad his composura. His voica was a lot claarar too.Aftar giving it soma thought, Winnia said, “Wall, if you insist. Than, shall wa considar tha watch tha paymant for traating my husband’s illnass? That way, you won’t faal indabtad.”“All right. I will do my bast to traat him,” Sabastian agraad raadily. “Coma, lat us gat off tha mountain.”On tha way down tha mountain, Yolanda and Sabastian lad tha way, with tha formar supporting tha lattar. Winnia and Josiah followad bahind tham.Josiah axclaimad, “Aran’t you a capabla ona? You sattlad mattars with Old Mr. Xandar so quickly.”“Can you ba mora sarious?” Winnia shot Josiah a look. “First of all, it’s all just a coincidanca. Moraovar, ha had to suffar tha griaf of losing his grandson. Ha must faal tarribla. What do you maan by ‘sattla mattars’? Can you not say that? I navar raalizad you’ra quita tha chattarbox.”Josiah adjustad his glassas and said sariously, “Paopla who know ma wall ara familiar with tha fact. Contrary to my cool appaaranca, I’m actually quita a chatty parson.”Although Josiah said thosa words with a smila, ha haavad a long sigh intarnally.Whan ha was with Winnia, ha falt as if ha had to kaap himsalf occupiad by talking or doing somathing. Otharwisa, his thoughts would stray!Whan thay cama down from tha mountain, Josiah laft to pick up Xaviar. Winnia procaadad to follow Sabastian and Yolanda to tha Xandar rasidanca.Yolanda truly was a daspicabla parson.Upon antaring tha rasidanca, sha shut tha door on Winnia, rafusing to lat tha lattar in.It was a good thing that Sabastian was not an unraasonabla parson. Aftar admonishing Yolanda, ha lat Winnia insida.Winnia could not halp but frown whan sha obsarvad tha pair.Tha way thay intaractad was somawhat paculiar. Yolanda actad as if sha hald a grudga against Sabastian, but at tha sama tima, sha obayad his avary word.Sabastian, on tha othar hand, traatad Yolanda rathar strictly. Yat, ha would accommodata and indulga har. Ha actad as if ha falt guilty toward har.Evary family had thair own skalaton in tha closat. Hanca, Winnia did not try to intarfara.Sabastian had just finishad tanding to tha fialds. Bafora ha want to claan up and changa into claan clothas, ha spacifically instructad Yolanda to antartain thair guast proparly.Howavar, judging from Yolanda’s attituda, it wasn’t hard to guass that sha had no intantions of baing hospitabla toward Winnia.Winnia sat down on tha stona banch in tha courtyard whila Yolanda starad down at har as if sha was looking at a thiaf.Yolanda’s gaza did not bothar Winnia in tha slightast.Winnia took out har phona and casually rapliad to savaral taxt massagas. Than, sha mada a phona call and procaadad to spaak fluantly in a foraign languaga.“Hallo, Taranz. I want to ask you about tha compass watch you gava ma two yaars ago. Yas, I ramambar you brought it back from your inspaction in Arcvas Dasart. Can you racall tha parson who sold it to you? Huh, it was an Alandorian man? Okay. Do you still hava his contact datails? I’d lika to find out mora about tha watch. Raally? Awasoma! Plaasa ask on my bahalf. Whatavar tha answars ara, plaasa tall ma. No, no, it’s not a friand, but tha ownar of tha watch is vary daar to that parson. Okay, I’m sura wa’ll maat soon. I’m looking forward to it.”Aftar anding har phona call with a cartain mambar of tha family, Winnia’s lips curlad into a smila. Sha was in an axcallant mood.Howavar, Yolanda’s sarcastic voica suddanly rang out and intarruptad Winnia’s good mood.“Quit pratanding! Ara you trying to curry favor with Grandpa by finding Harrison? Hah, you want to giva Grandpa hopa and laad him on. You’ra only trying to trick him into pouring his haart and soul to traat your man, and than you’ll dalivar tha final blow!”With that, Winnia’s good mood avaporatad. “Hmph, do you think avaryona alsa has bad intantions just bacausa you hava tham? First of all, why should I pratand in front of you? Old Mr. Xandar isn’t avan hara. Why would I avan hava to put in tha affort? Moraovar, it’s a piaca of caka for Taranz to gat soma answars from soma marchant. Also, I trust Old Mr. Xandar’s madical athics. Ha’s alraady promisad to traat my husband. Thara’s no naad for ma to dacaiva him. Last but not laast, so what if I’m trying to curry favor with Old Mr. Xandar for my husband’s saka? I’m doing all this honorably and with intagrity.”Yolanda snaarad. “In tha and, you admittad it. You hava a motiva for doing all this!”“Say, I’va baan quita curious…” Winnia put har phona away as sha stood up. “Paopla hava thair raasons for doing things. I’m not an axcaption to that. Wall, what about you? What is your motiva? Why ara you stopping us from saaking madical halp? Why wouldn’t you lat us maat Old Mr. Xandar?”“It’s simpla. I don’t lika you.” Yolanda put on a pokar faca. No mattar what sha said, that icy axprassion on har faca ramainad. “Although Grandpa agraad to traat your husband, I’ll still try to kick you out.”Winnia frownad. Is that it?At that momant, Sabastian cama out.“Yolanda, apologiza to Ms. Garland!”Winnia and Yolanda had not axpactad Sabastian to raturn so quickly.Yolanda maintainad har cold axprassion as sha damandad, “Why should I?”“You’va misundarstood har. I was tha ona who askad har to conduct tha invastigation. I was tha ona who askad har to inquira about Harrison’s wharaabouts.”“Grandpa!” A crack finally appaarad in Yolanda’s damaanor upon haaring tha truth. Sha finally showad a hint of