Callie glanced at him lightly. “No, I’m just not very hungry.”
Grandfather didn’t expect Callie to say that and then really not care. His expression remained calm and unperturbed.
He kicked him unceremoniously under the table.
The man stood up, his expression a mix of helplessness and impatience. He grabbed Callie’s dangling hand and pulled her up. “If you’re not hungry, don’t eat.”
He held her hand and led her away.
Callie’s hand felt cold. She looked back at Grandfather. “But Grandpa…”
Grandfather smiled generously. “Go with Nelson.”
Nancy stood to the side, taking in the scene with a complex expression. “Nelson, you rarely come here…”
“Nancy.” Grandfather interrupted her gently. “Come, don’t just stand there. Sit down and eat with us.”
Nancy was flattered and quickly shook her head. “No, that’s against the rules.”
Grandfather didn’t insist, but he smiled and looked at her. “So you know it’s against the rules.”
Nancy wasn’t stupid; she understood instantly. “I was out of line.”
Grandfather’s warning was clear…
As a servant, she should know her place and do her duties without overstepping.
In the master bedroom of Paucaster Villa Complex, a servant quickly brought two tubes of burn ointment. “Madam.”
The man was on the balcony, taking a call. She heard the name Cora mentioned, likely reporting on Alayah’s condition.
He closed the door behind him as he stepped out, isolating her.
Callie snapped out of her thoughts from looking at the man’s handsome back. She took the ointment and focused on applying it.
When Nelson finished his call and returned, this was what he saw.
Callie finished applying the ointment, screwed the cap back on, and tossed it onto the table. She asked first, “How is Alayah?”
The man leaned against the doorframe, studying her with a slightly ethereal voice. “Weren’t you being stubborn? You did wrong but didn’t apologize, and now you ask.”
Callie met his gaze fearlessly. “I wasn’t wrong.”
Nelson raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
She wanted to say that Alayah had bumped into her on her own; there should be surveillance in the mall. But she stopped herself. Saying it would make it seem like he said-jealousy.
Callie didn’t want that.
She got up and tried to leave. “I’ll sleep in my original room tonight.”
She stopped halfway. “Ask Alayah if she allows it; I can go see her since I bear some responsibility.”
Nelson listened to her haughty tone; she could turn a rightful action into charity. Once her pride flared up, no one could control her.
Nelson didn’t stop her or say anything, turning instead into the bathroom.
While waiting, Callie sat in the living room with her laptop, trying to work on blueprints but couldn’t focus. She stared at the screen for a long time, feeling a sting in her nose as tears fell uncontrollably.
When enough time had passed, she staggered to her feet, supporting herself against the wall to ease her numb legs, and walked towards her original room. Unexpectedly, she ran into Grandfather coming out. “What’s wrong, Callie?”
Callie hurriedly masked her emotions, lying with shifty eyes. “I… I came to get something.”
Grandfather was sharp; he saw through her immediately and sent her back. “What do you need? I’ll get it for you. Go take a bath first; it’s been all day.”
“Nelson is in there.”
“Didn’t he come out?”
Grandfather looked past Callie. She turned around in surprise and saw Nelson standing not far away in silk pajamas, seemingly fetching something before heading back again.