Chapter 503 The Adorable Side of Karl
The Duncans, a prominent family, have been located in the southwest corner of Casier for centuries. There had always been a legend that this place was a gathering point for spiritual energy.
It was rumored that one of the ancestors of the Duncans was a powerful psychic who recognized the auspiciousness of this location and built the ancestral home here, ensuring the prosperity of the Duncans for generations. Although Catherine wasn’t a psychic, she couldn’t deny that the Duncans chose a great location. Nestled by the mountains and rivers, it was a pleasant place to live in.
The car came to a steady stop in the courtyard, and Paxton stepped out of the car to open the door for Branden before standing aside obediently.
Branden walked around to the other side of the car and opened the door for Catherine.
Catherine stepped out of the car and entered the house together with Branden.
Unlike the modern-style architecture outside, the living room of the house was full of traditional decorations. The crimson color added a sense of solemnity and dignity to the entire room.
As soon as Catherine sat down, she heard the sound of a cane tapping on the floor coming from the side. She turned her head and saw Karl walking towards them energetically with his cane.
Karl had injured his leg when he was young, and now that he was older, he needed the cane to walk properly. Although he was nearing his twilight years, there was still a faint aura of dominance surrounding him that made people hesitate to meet his gaze.
After Karl sat down, Catherine stood up voluntarily and bowed slightly as a gesture of respect.
Karl was an elder, and although Catherine was usually not bound by formalities, she was not a disrespectful person.
Seeing her stand up and bow, Karl, who had originally wanted to maintain a serious demeanor, suddenly became less composed. He quickly extended his hand and gestured for Catherine to sit down, saying, “Please, have a seat. No need to be so polite.”
Catherine sat down with a calm expression on her face, her demeanor still indifferent and distant. Karl’s presence didn’t affect her.
Karl squinted his eyes and glanced at Catherine from time to time. He thought no one had noticed, but even Paxton could see it all.
Suddenly, Branden, who had been ignored by Karl the whole time, spoke up.
“Grandpa, since everyone is here, you can tell us why you want us here now.”
Sensing Branden’s impatience, Karl glared fiercely at him.
“Now?” Karl thought. “Not even close, boy. How can you be so impatient? Stay cool, kid. You’re a Duncan!”
If it weren’t for Catherine’s presence, Karl would have raised his cane to hit Branden, teaching Branden a lesson.
“You’ve been gone for almost half a month, and I asked you to come back. Do you have any objections?”
Branden glanced at Karl coldly, his gaze indicating that his patience had reached its limit.
Seeing Branden’s stubbornness, Karl shifted his gaze to Catherine.
“Cassie, it’s been a long time since I last saw you. I almost forgot what you looked like. Why didn’t you come and visit me?”
The last time Karl saw Catherine was at Bryan’s birthday party, almost half a year ago.
Karl’s sudden enthusiasm caught everyone off guard. Initially, they were worried that Karl would make things difficult for Catherine, creating some melodramatic family drama. But judging from his tone, it felt more like he was coaxing Catherine, without any intention of causing any trouble.
Fortunately, Catherine was always calm and composed. She could handle any situation with ease. She calmly explained, “I was busy with an exam before.”
Catherine had just arrived from the airport, but she still managed to tell such a lie in a calm demeanor, earning everyone’s admiration.
Surprisingly, Karl fell for it, nodding in understanding after hearing Catherine’s explanation.
“An exam? Well, it’s normal to be busy. Now that the exam is over, come here whenever you have time. Don’t mind the shabby condition. If you’re worried about the distance, I’ll arrange a car to pick you up!”
Karl’s attitude left the servants of the Duncans dumbfounded. How could the magnificent century-old mansion be referred to as a shabby house? Moreover, such disdainful words were said by Karl, which was unbelievable.
Catherine nodded slightly, accepting Karl’s generous invitation.
Branden sat calmly on the side, silent, but the slight arch of his eyebrow revealed his inner thoughts.
Amongst the people present, no one understood Karl better than Branden. Karl was a smart person. He knew that Catherine was lying, but he still went along with it because he wasn’t seeking a result, but rather a way out. Now that Catherine had given him a way out, he naturally followed suit.
Branden discreetly lifted the cup of coffee by his side and took a sip, then firmly placed the cup back on the saucer, making a crisp sound.
Instantly, all eyes turned to Branden.
He calmly waved his hand and said, ” Oops, slipped!”
Slipped? That was just an excuse!
Karl, his grandfather, saw through Branden’s little trick faster than anyone else. Branden was probably annoyed by his preaching and reminding him to finish the talk quickly.
In other families, when the daughters grew up, they didn’t want to stay. How come in his family, everyone wanted to leave?
Karl’s son, always out of the house because of his wife, had left Karl with no choice but to put his hopes on his grandson, Branden.
But Branden’s performance was even worse.
What trouble had the Duncans gotten themselves into? Why were they always involved in these silly romantic affairs?
Despite his own disapproval, Karl had to respect his grandson’s wishes. If he didn’t speak up, he worried that Branden would throw a tantrum and never come to see him again.
“I invited you here today mainly because it’s been a long time since I last saw you, and also because I want you to accompany me to a banquet in Loxton tomorrow night.”
The Duncans were originally from Loxton, but for various reasons, they had moved to Casier. Karl still had connections with many prestigious families in Loxton.
Branden was about to refute his grandfather and say that he could go meet the people himself. He didn’t want to get Catherine involved.
Before he could say that, Catherine suddenly spoke up.
“Sure!”
Surprised that she agreed to such a request, Branden turned to look at her.
Catherine remained expressionless, her face calm.
While Branden wasn’t paying attention, Karl had been winking and nudging at her.
Seeing how adorable Karl was, Catherine thought it would be fine to help him once, so she willingly agreed.
As they locked eyes, Branden could see Catherine’s intentions through her gaze.
Since Catherine agreed, Branden had no reason to oppose.
Thinking of the fact that they were brought here right after they got off the plane, Branden was worried that Catherine might be too tired. So, he pulled her up and said to Karl, “I’ll take her there tomorrow!”
Without waiting for Karl’s approval, he immediately pulled her away.
This infuriated Karl, who angrily banged his cane on the ground. As they walked away, he couldn’t help but curse, “You ungrateful brat…”
