Chapter 832: Chapter 832: For Herself
Hope Williams really isn’t soone with a hard heart.
On the way back to the living room, Hope was pondering over Jade Bell’s words.
When Alitzel Williams saw her returning, she quickly put down her teacup and pulled Hope onto the sofa, “Did you agree with your grandmother?”
Hope shook her head, “Not yet.”
“So are you going to agree with her?”
Hope hadn’t decided yet.
She really didn’t want to see Maverick Williams. What he did to her mother, to her, to the three children, was unforgivable no matter how much ti had passed, and she couldn’t let it go.
But after hearing Jade Bell’s last words, Hope still felt a mont’s emotion.
Hope looked down with her eyebrows furrowed, seeing Baby in the cradle moving his arms and legs energetically, babbling as if trying to say sothing, and she curved her lips slightly.
Alitzel continued speaking nonchalantly, “It’s best not to agree. Such a person cannot be forgiven. Never see him.”
Hope responded with silence.
Alitzel sipped her tea, “This tea is nice, you should try it.”
“Okay.”
“By the way, is Old Ortiz planning to leave? I heard the old master ntion it this morning,” Alitzel looked at Hope and asked.
Hope nodded, “Yes, my master ntioned it to too.”
With the month’s treatnt ending, she’s also learned quite a bit from Old Ortiz, who had indeed told her about his plans to leave.
Alitzel took a deep breath, “I actually wanted to suggest Old Ortiz stay with us permanently. He’s getting on in years, living alone back there makes uneasy.”
Hope thought the sa.
“Moreover, look at how the old master and Old Ortiz got along like brothers this past month. It’s rare for the old master to find soone with similar interests.”
Hope followed Alitzel’s gaze out the large window and saw in the garden that the old master and Old Ortiz were sitting together, playing chess and drinking tea.
Hope smiled and nodded, “But Old Ortiz is used to living alone. He might not want to stay here long-term. Besides, if you make him stay long-term, he’d feel indebted to us.”
Alitzel looked at her disapprovingly, “Not necessarily, just ask. If Old Ortiz stays, that’s the best scenario.”
Hope felt Alitzel made a valid point.
“Then I’ll trouble you to look after Baby, and I’ll go see grandpa and the others.”
“Yes, go on, go on.”
Hope walked outside. It was a beautiful sunny day, and the two old gentlen sat comfortably in Sun Yat-sen suits by a stone table, leisurely playing chess with fragrant tea infusing the air around them, in complete tranquility.
Hope tiptoed toward them, worried about disturbing their peace.
The old master spotted Hope early on and waved her over.
Hope imdiately put on a smile and walked over quickly, “Grandpa, Master.”
Old Master Lewis said, “Sit.”
Hope sat down, and before she could speak, the old master placed a chess piece down and asked, “In a bad mood, sothing on your mind?”
Hope lifted her eyes to look at the old master, instinctively denying, “No, I was smiling just now. Grandpa, how could you tell I’m not in a good mood?”
The old master chuckled, “You can’t hide anything from , girl. Your emotions are always clear to .”
Old Ortiz also laughed, taking a sip of tea, “Your grandpa can read people like a book. As soon as you walked over, he told sothing’s definitely bothering you.”
Hope helplessly tugged at the corners of her mouth, “Nothing escapes grandpa’s eyes, indeed.”
The old master picked up a black chess piece, placed it, and exchanged a glance with Old Ortiz, “Then tell us, maybe these old folks can help you analyze.”
Hope sighed, resting her chin on her hands atop the stone table, looking at the chessboard in front, she spoke, “It’s nothing much, just that I’m hesitant whether to see Maverick Williams or not.”
The old master glanced at Hope, “Your grandmother ca just for this matter?”
Hope nodded, “Yes.”
“What do you think?”
Hope was silent for a while, “Given everything that happened before, I don’t want to see him. There’s nothing about him that softens my heart, but…”
Hope pursed her lips, the emotions within her own heart elusive even to herself.
“But what?”
“But grandmother said he’s sick, dying, and if I don’t see him this ti, I might never get the chance.”
After listening, the old master placed another piece without looking at Hope, “Go see him.”
Hope paused for a mont, sitting upright to look at the old master, “Grandpa?”
“Not for him, for yourself.”
There was a hint of surprise in Hope’s eyes; she didn’t understand what the old master ant, she looked at the old master, then at Old Ortiz, full of questions.
The old master glanced at the teacup.
Hope wisely lifted the teapot to refill the old master’s cup, pouring so for Old Ortiz as well.
“Grandpa, what do you an?”
“You’re not soone who can be ruthless. Rather than tornting yourself with indecision, why not let it go.
Seeing him now doesn’t cost you anything, helps him find so closure, and spares you potential future guilt.”
Hope looked at the old master, who continued evenly, “If he dies and your grandmother tells you he left with regret, because he didn’t get to see you and the children, would you feel guilty?”
“I…” Hope wanted to say she wouldn’t.
She hated him, hated his obstinacy, his biases, all that he had done.
“Don’t rush to deny it; you will,” the old master said aningfully, “Let go of what should be let go, old man, what do you think?”
The old master glanced at Old Ortiz opposite.
Old Ortiz smiled, “I don’t know what happened between you all, so I won’t comnt. But Little Hope, I agree with your grandpa’s words. Rather than tornting yourself, why not let it go.”
Hope remained in silent contemplation for a while and finally showed a faint smile, “Got it, grandpa.”
The old master nodded, “Good. So why did you co over here?”
“Wasn’t Master planning to leave? I wanted to persuade him to stay longer at the Lewis Family.”
Old Ortiz laughed heartily, “Your family certainly is united, your grandpa just told not to leave.”
Hope quickly added, “Then Master, please stay. Look how much fun you have drinking tea, chatting, and playing chess with grandpa. I still have so many questions about traditional Chinese dicine to learn from you.”
“This…” Old Ortiz hesitated.
Seeing him still hesitant, the old master playfully slapped the table.
“Look, look at this, Little Hope asked you, and you still want to leave? Do you really want our family to tie you up and keep you at the Lewis Family?” The old master feigned anger at Old Ortiz, “Besides, once a teacher, always a father. Let Little Hope and Waylon Lewis take care of you in your old age, don’t retreat into the mountains alone like an old sprite.”
Hope smirked.
The term “old sprite” said by the old master felt oddly amusing.
Old Ortiz couldn’t help but laugh, “If I stay at your place forever, shouldn’t I pay rent? Let’s talk about rent then.”
“Master, if you want to talk money with us, then we need to discuss money with you too. You cured my illness and taught traditional Chinese dicine without taking a cent. Let’s tally up how much we owe you then.”
Old Ortiz chuckled, “Alright, alright, I can’t win against you.”
Hope and the old master exchanged knowing smiles.
The old master, “That’s more like it, stay here. We two old folks have company.”
Having persuaded Old Ortiz, Hope was pleased, and she took to heart the old master’s words. After lunch, Hope prepared to take Luke, Willow, and Baby out.
Luke and Willow looked at Hope, “Mommy, where are we going?”
“To see… soone.”
Willow tilted her head curiously, “Who are we seeing? Is it a friend of mommy’s?”
Hope patted Willow’s head, “Not a friend.”
“Then who?”
“Consider it… a family mber who’s not quite family. You’ve t them before, an old grandpa.”
Luke and Willow blinked, unable to recall who it was imdiately.
Hope had the driver wait at the door, after getting everything ready, she carried Baby and took Luke and Willow out, just as they were about to get in the car, they saw Waylon Lewis’ car slowly pull up beside them.
Waylon got out and approached Hope.
Hope raised a brow, “Why are you back here?”
“You’re going to see Maverick Williams. I’ll go with you.”
Hope looked at Waylon, “You sure get your information quickly.”
“Let’s go.”
Hope didn’t refuse, and she got in the car with Waylon.
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