To Calix’s relief, he learned quite a few information about Nicholas Wu from Mr. Guan. The elderly man told him everything as much as the latter could.
At the sa ti, Calix had to relive the pain of knowing how much his grandfather had changed toward the end of his life.
The initially light-hearted ambiance in the sunroom turned gloomier the longer Mr. Guan spoke. Calix let the elderly man take his ti to speak while preparing himself for any heartwrenching possibilities.
Mr. Guan’s low and husky voice echoed in the sunroom, bringing up the mories of the past.
"Your grandfather... he t Fridah Wu one day. Since then, they were in an affair until he discarded her away."
"He didn’t know she carried his child, technically your half-uncle. She suddenly appeared when that child was thirteen."
"Nicholas... he’s indeed your grandfather’s child but, the old master wouldn’t ever accept him. The poor child was the evidence of his infidelity."
"Your grandfather exiled them abroad. They lived in London for a few years until... your grandfather abruptly cut their financial assistance."
"The last I knew, they struggled before moving to Croatia. Since then, they seed to cease existing."
Calix didn’t know how could his deceased grandfather do such a thing – abandoning a poor child. All because because Nicholas was the living evidence of his infidelity.
It was as though he had never known his grandfather truly.
Mr. Guan admitted to secretly sending so funds to the struggling mother and son but, Old Master Xu caught him red-handed one day. He was forced to stop if not, sothing bad would happen to his family.
"Until now, I also didn’t know why your grandfather... could act so cruelly. Perhaps, he was ashad of his past actions but, he was too arrogant to admit his faults."
"I’ll use my resources to look for any info about them. Calix, you’re right. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Protect your family."
Calix left the villa after two hours and a half. Before that, Mr. Guan showed him an old photo of Fridah and Nicholas, the one he kept among his other files.
Despite the fading colors, Calix saw a little resemblance between the child Nicholas and his deceased grandfather. Seeing his estranged half-uncle’s photo stirred uncomfortable feelings within him.
’I can only hope we’ll get him before he does to us.’
Staring out of the car windows, Calix blankly stared at the skyline of the city. The sun still hovered above the horizon, slowly descending to mark the end of the sumr day.
Logan quietly drove the car across the expressway, heading ho to Graceville Manor. Both he and Allen stayed in silence, sensing heavy trouble weighed Calix’s mind.
Tearing his gaze from the windows, Calix looked at his hands clasping together on his lap. His furrowing brows were engraved with worries.
’I need to tighten the security more. Dad will surely do the sa.’
Andrian was as surprised as Calix upon learning about Nicholas Wu’s possible return. Thankfully, the forr promised to be vigilant while assisting Calix in the investigation.
There was not much they could do for now aside from exhausting all resources to discreetly investigate the mother and son’s whereabouts.
Only ti could tell.
Calix arrived at the manor half an hour before seven in the evening. Only Aunt Wendy welcod him ho because both Leslie and Calliope were upstairs.
"I think they’re bathing. Mr. Calix, I’ll serve dinner later. You should go freshen yourself up."
Calix thanked Aunt Wendy before heading upstairs. His usually steady and asured steps had a hint of weakness as he dragged himself to the bedroom.
’I want to hug her so badly.’
Loosening the tie around his neck, Calix’s mind wandered to Leslie. A smile hung on his lips as he recalled the new change from the past few days.
Leslie had officially moved into his bedroom. Her clothes and other belongings occupied the sa space as his, delighting Calix.
Calliope was still inside the washroom. Calix heard his daughter singing while bathing as he checked on her. Stifling his laughter, he continued walking down the hallway until he arrived at his room.
To be exact, their matrimony room.
Knock! Knock!
"Sweetheart, I’m coming in," announced Calix after knocking on the door twice. He slowly pushed the door open, revealing the room’s interior.
"Oh, you’re ho! Honey, welco back!"
A cheery Leslie greeted Calix. Her voice ca from the walk-in wardrobe. He saw her sitting before the vanity mirror, combing her hair. It seed like she had just finished bathing.
Calix’s smile softened without him realizing it. Quickening his steps, he didn’t look as listless as before. He was eager to be closer to her.
"I missed you, sweetheart."
"Oh? Hehe~"
Leslie was amused when Calix suddenly sat on the floor. He rested his head on her lap while wrapping his arms around her waist. The warmth of his breath filtered through the thin fabric of her nightgown.
"Are you so tired?" Leslie put down the comb. She ran her fingers through Calix’s hair before lowering her body down, "I missed you too, honey."
Calix grinned once he sensed Leslie kissing his head. Tightening his arms around her waist, he didn’t feel like moving away yet.
Leslie simply let Calix remain in the sa position. She reached out a hand, gently rubbing his back before once again stroking through his hair.
Humming softly to a tune, Leslie felt Calix gradually relax as he laid his head on her lap.
’Surely it’s hard for him to talk about it. Did he get much info?’
Leslie knew that Calix planned to et Mr. Guan this afternoon. He told her about it a few days ago, saying he might get valuable information from his grandfather’s forr close aide.
Leslie was curious about what Calix had learned from Mr. Guan but, she held herself back. Seeing Calix looking so drained of energy worried her.
As long as they hadn’t found Nicholas Wu yet, none of them could feel at ease.
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