Chapter 202
“It’s nothing! I was just asking…”
Nicholas‘ assistant trembled nervously.
‘Mr. Baxter, do you have to stare at me like that? So scary!‘
They’d visited several families that morning, and it had been perfectly fine to ask questions at every stop. Why was it suddenly off–limits with the Vance family?
“Yeah, I think so too,” Nicholas said calmly as he signed the last document and marked it with a red check before heading to the next house.
‘Another delightful day.‘
Back at the house…
The visit from the House of Obsidian had already been pushed out of everyone’s mind.
Richard was convinced the whole thing had been an excuse Nicholas cooked up just to get close to Sharon.
Sharon, meanwhile, felt a wave of relief.
‘So far, no one seems to suspect me. The investigation must still be focused on those weaker families. They’re easier targets–easier to threaten and replace.‘
Alright, crisis averted for now.
The next event was a lunch visit to the Vance family’s extended branch.
Her four brothers had rushed back just in time to join her for the occasion.
Julian, Aaron, Marcus, and Jeffrey stood together as Sharon looked at them, touched. “You don’t have to come if work’s piling up. I’ll be fine.”
Julian was a politician. The other three were all research scientists, usually buried in their labs.
“It’s okay. We can work late if we have to. But missing time with you today means waiting until tomorrow,” Julian said.
“And we don’t want to miss it,” Aaron added.
“We’ve already missed too much. It’s time to start making up for it,” said Marcus.
Sharon bit back a smile. “Alright then, let’s go together. A family should show up as one.”
Richard chuckled.
Today was their first official visit to the Vance family’s extended relatives. Of course they had to show up in full force–make it clear the main branch wasn’t someone to look down on.
Sharon was now the head of the family, and plenty of people were still skeptical about a young woman taking the role. They were here to make sure no one dared disrespect her.
The nine of them headed out right on time.
In the car, Sharon rode with Richard.
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Chapter 202
She thought for a moment and then asked, “Richard, what kind of person is Walter Vance?”
She had read his file, but that never told the whole story.
Richard kept his gaze on the passing scenery for a while before answering. “Mediocre. Spineless. Practically invisible.
If he weren’t, Roxanne wouldn’t have been able to trample him so easily.
But then Richard added, “A genuinely nice guy.”
Nice?
That matched her research.
But she’d always been skeptical of the word “nice.” Coming from Richard, though, it gave her a clearer picture of who Walter really was.
‘No wonder he raised kids like Elise and Merrick, who took care of their younger siblings at the Academy even while being mocked for it.
An hour later, they arrived.
It wasn’t a private club or a hotel as she’d expected–it looked like a residential villa complex.
She wasn’t sure what Walter was thinking.
As their car rolled up, Sharon spotted Elise and Merrick waiting
The whole scene reminded her of the first day of school.
the entrance, with a group of kids peeking from behind them, curious but cautious.
The window rolled down and Elise stepped forward, clearly excited. “Everyone’s here. The place is all the way in the back.”
Sharon looked around at the surrounding villas and had a strange feeling.
‘Don’t tell me all these houses belong to this branch.‘
Kids kept running in and out of the villas, darting between buildings. The whole place gave off the same chaotic warmth.
For the first time, Sharon felt something she hadn’t felt at Vance Mansion–something familiar and oddly comforting.
A few minutes later, the car pulled up to the very back of the property, where a large lawn sat next to a prominent villa.
This had to be where Walter lived.
The door opened and Sharon stepped out. Her eight older brothers flanked her, all scanning the area.
Elise and Merrick came forward. “Ms. Vance, this way please.”
As they approached the front door, an elderly man stepped out with a warm smile. “It’s truly an honor to have you visit.”
Sharon saw Walter for the first time–older than she expected, but with a kind and genuine demeanor.
‘Compared to Roxanne, anyone would seem like a saint.‘
“How’s your health these days?”
Sharon stepped forward and shook his hand, completely composed.
“Doing alright. It’s been so many years… Look at you, all grown up,” Walter said, his eyes moving across the nine siblings. There was a heaviness in his gaze, a flood of memories he didn’t put into words.
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Chapter 202
Richard chimed in, “You haven’t changed a bit.”
“Flatterer. I’ve aged plenty,” Walter said with a chuckle.
“Come inside, come inside. Elise made your favorite pastries.”
He led the way, cane in hand, and Sharon noticed him subtly wiping the corner of his eye.
It didn’t escape her.
‘This is the mess Roxanne made.’
She walked in with her head held high and took a bite of one of the pastries. It was, in fact, delicious.
Elise must’ve studied her preferences carefully. By testing different desserts, she’d figured out what Sharon liked.
They got about eighty percent of her preferences right.
‘A very thoughtful girl.‘
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Inside the living room, Walter sat alongside several other elders. Around them, children crouched and peeked out from behind furniture, wide–eyed and fascinated by the newcomers.
Sharon wasn’t quite used to this kind of attention.
“Hi there, hi there!”
A sweet, squeaky little voice piped up beside her. She turned and found a tiny child grinning up at her.
AD
