Hayden nodded and said, “You’re right. He looks the same as someone that I have met before.”
“Who is it?” Valeria asked curiously.
“Well… Haha… this is tricky… You can ask your grandpa to have a look at Thomas next time. I am looking forward to his reaction.” Hayden grinned and refused to spill the beans.
Valeria was very interested and questioned further, “Dad, are you saying that Thomas reminds you of my grandpa? Why didn’t I feel the same way as you?”
“No, not that!” Hayden shook his head and changed the topic, “By the way, is Abbie planning to go out with Thomas? I do think that he’s a good catch!”
“Really? I agree with you as well, but my husband doesn’t seem to be a fan of him.”
“What? Why is that?” Hayden was utterly confused and continued, “Thomas doesn’t seem like a trouble-maker. William is not usually a petty man and why would he have bad comments on Thomas?”
“Are you sure about that? William is not as magnanimous as you think. He was mad and demanded an apology from me when I obtained Thomas’ number last time.”
Hayden burst into laughter and said, “I see. William was actually jealous of him, right? That brat is really a petty man!”
“Yes, he can be loathsome at times. He was unhappy at my comment about Thomas being a well-mannered person. He even forced me to delete Thomas from my WhatsApp contact list. Dad, William would go bonkers upon hearing that we have met with Thomas for a meal today. I will be in trouble and you have to help me out,” Valeria acted like a spoiled child.
Hayden immediately agreed and said, “Of course! How dare that piece of s*it to give you a hard time? I shall make him back off!”
Valeria was no longer worried when Hayden was on her side. She happily returned with Hayden to the old estate after lunch. They finally arrived home and Lucas then ordered the servants to carry the container that was on the car.
Hayden then instructed the servant, “Tonight’s menu for Valeria would be lobsters and wild eels. Oh, don’t forget to make a hearty chicken soup for her as well.”
The servant nodded and proceeded to prepare the necessary ingredients. Valeria did not have to worry about receiving an earful from William and went back to her room merrily.
She did not have the urge to take an afternoon nap as her mind was still on Raelyn. She did not want Raelyn to have her way.
Raelyn had her eyes on the money and must be trying her very best to persuade Gavin. Valeria needed to get ahold of Raelyn’s whereabouts before deciding her next move.
She then picked up her phone and called Lamont. “Uncle Saunders, care to lend me two of your men?”
“What are you intending to do?” Lamont was very surprised upon receiving her call. Valeria had no longer seek for his assistance ever since she was married to William.
“I want to keep an eye on Raelyn to see what tricks are under her sleeve.” Valeria then told him everything that she had planned for Raelyn.
“I see. Don’t worry about it as I’ll arrange for someone to tail her along,” Lamont instantly agreed.
Valeria reminded Lamont once again, “You don’t have to tell my parents about this including my husband. It’s my very own idea and I have decided to act alone.”
“Alright. I promise to not tell them about this!”
Raelyn eventually heard that Gavin was being hospitalized as well. She swiftly retreated to Natasya’s hospital ward to discuss their next move.
Raelyn wanted to obtain some financial assistance from Gavin but things needed to be planned in detail for greater success. Natasya came up with an idea and suggested, “Mummy, you must not mention anything that relates to money when visiting grandpa later. Do you understand?”
“How can your grandfather give us the funds if I do not bring up this topic at all?” Raelyn asked.
“Mummy, don’t be silly! Grandpa is currently mad at us and things would be much worse if you seek financial backup from him right now. You should instead take a different route and tell him about your wish to take good care of him. Grandpa is a soft-hearted man and would eventually help us out given our current miserable state.”
Raelyn finally understood what Natasya had meant and agreed, “Alright then. I won’t ask for money and tell him how much I value him as family. I can slowly lead him along and tell him about your face unfortunately being ruined. He will be convinced and would eventually offer to help us out.”
Natasya continued, “Yes, you have to do something else as well. Do have a makeover to look extremely haggard right now. Grandpa would definitely feel sad upon seeing your disastrous look.”
“How am I going to do that? Don’t I look bad enough now?” Raelyn was feeling doubtful.
“Nope, you can do better. Head out and seek for a professional to spice things up!” Natasya continued, “It would be best to look as if you genuinely had a hard time. It also needs to be realistic enough to not let grandpa find out the truth.”
Raelyn listened to Natasya’s advice and met with a professional makeup artist. She then went to find Gavin after undergoing a makeover.
Arthur stopped her at the door and asked, “Mr. Saunders is currently resting. Please come back later when he has woken up.”
“My dad is not doing well. Why can’t I visit him when I am his daughter? You have crossed the line!” Raelyn was furious.
Arthur explained patiently, “No, you have misunderstood me. Mr. Saunders is taking an afternoon nap right now.”
Gavin woke up upon hearing the heated discussion outside of his ward and asked, “Who is there?”
“Dad! It’s me, Raelyn! I’m here to see you!” Raelyn pushed Arthur aside and barged into the hospital ward.
She immediately put on an act as soon as she entered the ward, “Dad, why didn’t you call me when you are feeling under the weather?”
Gavin was stunned upon seeing Raelyn in such a miserable state. What happened to my gorgeous daughter?
Strands of grey hair were visible and she had a weary look on her face. Her outfit was worn out and her hands looked dull. Gavin did not expect his daughter to be in such a pitiful state.
Gavin stuttered and asked, “But… What happened to you?”
“Dad, why are you being hospitalized all of a sudden? Did something go wrong? Why didn’t you tell me that you were sick?” Raelyn asked while sobbing.
“I… I am feeling alright! However, what on earth is going on with you?”
Gavin still did not calm down as he had not seen Raelyn for a long time. He did not expect Raelyn to change so much in such a short period of time.
“I… everything is not going well nowadays. Devon is under investigation and my daughters are met with trouble these days. I have not been able to sleep well as I am worried and anxious that…” Raelyn replied while wiping her tears away.
Gavin felt heartbroken upon looking at Raelyn in such a tragic state. She was nevertheless his daughter and felt sorry for her to have experienced such hardship.
Raelyn was aware that Gavin had a change of heart and was amazed at how brilliant Natasya was. Gavin would not have taken pity on her if it wasn’t for Natasya’s idea.
It seemed that there was a chance to get some money from him!
Raelyn continued to put on an act and kept emphasizing how things were very difficult for her. She even offered to take care of Gavin and he was no longer upset at the things that she had previously done.
Gavin finally bought on her act. Raelyn was in such a devastated state as she was worried about her family and was facing financial difficulties. He could not sit back and be a bystander.
He swiftly called Arthur into the ward and said, “I can’t leave Raelyn alone as she is currently in such a tragic state. Head to the bank now and wire some money to her!”