By that time, Aubrey and Hayden already went to welcome them. They looked rather surprised as if they did not expect the guests’ arrival. “Edmont? So, this is Winnie. Oh, my. Why have you returned?”
The man hugged Aubrey. “I’ve been missing my old friends.” Winnie added, “Edmont said he wanted to give you and Prunella a surprise.”
In response, Aubrey chortled aloud. “A surprise indeed! How many years has it been since we last met? Are you still developing abroad?” Edmont answered, “Yes. I realized I missed all my old friends the older I got, so I hurried here. Are you all doing well?”
Aubrey joyously answered, “Good! Pretty good! Come, Edmont. Allow me to introduce someone to you.” As she spoke, she led the couple to Ellen. “Look who this is.” As soon as Edmont saw Ellen, his eyes filled. with shock. “Isn’t this Ellie… I-I thought you told me that…”
Aubrey smilingly stated, “Didn’t die, not dead! It was Eugene and his great-grandfather who secretly rescued them.”
Ellen was visibly excited. “You’ve finally returned…”
Edmont happily cheered, “Oh, what a blessing! You have no idea how long I was depressed after hearing from Aubrey about you. It is truly a blessing to get to see you again today!” As he spoke, he turned to Eugene, who was standing beside him. “This must be Eugene, yes?”
Eugene slightly nodded. “Good evening, Uncle Edmont.”
“Oh, look how big you have grown! I remembered you and Alex were only this tall!” Edmont exclaimed with his hearty look, putting his hand on his hip. “And now, you’re already a full-grown adult! Your name storms the entire world, and I always hear about you despite being abroad.”
Eugene smilingly refuted, “You flatter me, Uncle Edmont. Those are merely rumors.”
“Surely not. You couldn’t have achieved so much without any capabilities.” Edmont disagreed, after which he turned to Olivia. “And this is…”
Hastily, Eugene wrapped his hand around her shoulders and stated, “This is my girlfriend, Olivia Maxwell.”
Out of courtesy, she greeted, “Good evening, Mr. Road.”
Edmont nodded in contentment. “Boy, you have good eyes, don’t you?”
Eugene laughed rather proudly in response.
As Edmont scanned across his acquaintances, his gaze eventually arrived at Jewel, only to notice that Winnie had been taking investigative glances at her, after which he asked, “And this is?”
Ellen answered, “This is Jewel, my goddaughter, who almost became your daughter-in-law.” With that, Edmont turned to Jewel once again, asking out of surprise, “You mean she’s Alex’s girlfriend?”
Then, Ellen dragged Jewel into her arms and snuggled against her. “Not anymore.” Seeing her protectiveness, he questioned with a scowl, “What happened?”
After letting out a snicker, Ellen scoffed, “Someone said her mother was the homewrecker that ruined your family, and I’d rather die than agree to that!”
Before he could connect the dots, Winnie was seen wearing an intense frown. “Your name is Jewel?”
Ellen asked with a dull face, “Do you perhaps know her?”
Thereupon, Eugene and Olivia looked at each other and helplessly grinned. It seemed Ellen was about to vent the frustration she received from Stefanie earlier to Edmont, and it was unlikely that she would have the mood to eat before she could finish expressing herself.
Without answering the question, Winnie warily questioned Jewel, “Then, do you possibly know Helena Parker?”
