Chapter 129: The Matriarch’s Return
A swift tap on the screen sent the image to Charlotte..With her phone tucked away, she made her way to the bathroom to refresh herself.
In the bathroom, she found everything she needed. She took a towel from the stack and put on the bathrobe that was hanging, ready for her use.
She stood under the shower head, savoring the warmth. Once she finished, she wrapped herself in the soft white bathrobe.
Back in the room, everything was perfectly arranged. She exchanged the bathrobe for the clothes she had brought, dressing with ease.
As Thea opened the wardrobe doors, she was discover there was a stunning array of clothes, carefully chosen and elegantly arranged.
Her gaze filled with wonder and appreciation as she took in the loving preparations. Ryder’s grandparents had thoughtfully provided everything she required, making her feel truly at home.Later she shut the wardrobe and glided out onto the balcony, her gaze drawn to the stunning vista below.
With a towel wrapped around her head, she unwrapped it, revealing her damp hair. She began to dry it with the towel..
A soft knock echoed through the room. Thea placed the towel on the coffee table, then walked to the door to see who was on the other side.
She turned the doorknob and swung the door open, revealing Emerson’s innocent face, smiling at her when she noticed her.
"Sister Thea, have you seen my elder sisters?" Emerson asked, her childish voice tinged with worry.
"They’re in that room.." she replied, pointing to the opposite door..
"I knocked, but nobody answered..." she said, her tone tinged with puzzlement.
Thea went to knock gently on the door. It swung open, revealing Lydia’s warm smile.
"Oh, Sister Thea.." Lydia said, her voice welcoming.Emerson peeked out from behind Thea’s back, her bright eyes sparkling. "Hello, Sisters!" she chimed in.
"She was asking for you two.." Thea said to Lydia."Sister Lydia, I knocked a just few minutes ago, but you didn’t answer.." Emerson pointed out.
Lydia smiled apologetically. "Oh, we hadn’t heard your knock." Emerson darted off towards the twins’ room. "Grandpa said everyone needs to gather in ten seconds!" she called back.
Thea headed to her room to grab her phone, with Emerson tagging along.
"Sister Thea, your room is beside Brother Ryder’s.." Emerson mentioned casually.
Thea’s gaze drifted to the adjacent room, her expression surprised. She hadn’t realized earlier that Ryder’s room shared a wall with hers.
She smiled at her before they made their way downstairs.
"Sister Thea, isn’t this place beautiful?" Emerson asked,"I’m here for the first time."
"Hmm.Indeed this place is beautiful."
When Thea and Emerson arrived, they found the others had already gathered."Where are the twins, Emerson?" Brenda asked her youngest daughter.
"I called them, and they’re on their way.." Emerson replied.Thea took a seat beside her grandmother Grance, while Emerson joined them.
Elizabeth smiled warmly. "Thea, I think Emerson has taken quite a liking to you."
"Right, Emerson?" Elizabeth turned to Emerson, who nodded enthusiastically.
"Yes, Aunt... I like my Sister Thea a lot.." Emerson said, beaming with a smile.
Elder Edward teased, "Ryder’s going to be green with envy. His little cousin has found someone else to adore."
Emerson playfully countered, "Elder brother, no need to be jealous. I have room for you too, Sister Thea, and you."
Ryder remained unmoved by his grandfather’s teasing, but Emerson’s words softened his expression.His eyes shifted to his little cousin, and a warm smile spread across his face.
"Here come the twins," their mother, Brenda, said, noticing them descending the stairs.
"What took you so long?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.Lydia jumped in, "Mom, Melanie was taking forever to get dressed. You know how lazy your daughter is."
Melanie shot back, "Am I lazy, or are you?"
Brenda chuckled and shook her head. "You’re both lazy."
"Come on, let’s have lunch..." she added, gesturing for them to join the others.
Charlotte stepped out of her car and approached the mansion’s entrance, where the security guard awaited.
"Good day, ma’am.." he said, his expression professional. "
He opened the door, gesturing for Charlotte to enter the grand estate.
Charlotte stepped into the grand foyer, her eyes meeting Grandma Cordelia’s warm gaze.
"Grandma Cordelia...I didn’t expect you would come here and call me," Charlotte said, her curiosity evident.
Before her stood a woman of timeless elegance. Grandma Cordelia’s silver hair cascaded in soft waves to her shoulders, framing a face lined with age and wisdom. Her piercing blue eyes, though muted by time, still shone bright with warmth and intelligence. A subtle smile played on her lips, and her slender hands, adorned with an antique ring, rested gracefully in her lap.
Her pale pink suit, impeccably tailored, complemented her refined features, exuding a sense of understated sophistication.
Grandma Cordelia’s eyes sparkled with delight as she gazed at Charlotte. "You’ve blossomed into a stunning young woman, Charlotte. Your beauty shines from within."
Charlotte’s face glowed with a soft blush. "Oh, Grandma, you’re too kind," she said, her voice tinged with affection.
Grandma Cordelia reached out, her slender hands extending to cradle Charlotte’s face. "I’m merely stating the truth, dear. You’ve grown into a compassionate and intelligent woman. I couldn’t be prouder."
Charlotte’s smile widened, her eyes shining with gratitude. "Thank you, Grandma."
"Grandma, are you going to stay here from now on?" Charlotte asked, her curiosity piqued.
Grandma Cordelia nodded graciously. "Yes, dear. And I’ll need your companionship, as Ryan won’t be able to...attend to me."
Charlotte’s expression turned puzzled. "But Grandma, Ryan didn’t mention anything about you coming to stay."
A hint of slyness danced in Grandma Cordelia’s eyes. "That’s because I chose not to inform him, dear. I wanted to surprise him."
Charlotte’s eyebrows arched. "You didn’t tell Ryan you were coming?" she asked, her tone laced with surprise.
Grandma Cordelia’s voice took on a resolute tone. "No, Charlotte. I wanted to ensure a certain...reception. Ryan can be stubborn at times."
" Hmm, your grandson is stubborn..." Charlotte agreed with a chuckle, shaking her head.
Grandma Cordelia smiled knowingly, about to respond, when Ryan appeared at the entrance, his expression a mix of surprise and concern.
"Grandma, why didn’t you inform Father that you’d be coming here?" Ryan asked, his brow furrowed.
Grandma Cordelia’s eyes sparkled with determination. "It was my wish, Ryan."
Ryan’s tone turned gentle, persuasive. "Grandma, don’t be stubborn. Your son is worried sick about your whereabouts. He’s been trying to reach you all morning."
Grandma Cordelia’s jaw set in a gentle but firm line. "I wanted to surprise you.. my grandson. You forgot that you have an old lady."
This time, though, there were family members around with the presence of the Harrington family’s first missy,Lucy Harrington, and her husband, Michael Pierce..The family gathered around the dining table in a lively reunion...
"Ryan, you’re 25 already. This is the age where you should be settling down with a family!" lamented his grandma, Cordelia, as she cut the steak on her plate. "Don’t you have someone you fancy at all? Is Silvia not your type? She seems to be very interested in you, though! Why isn’t there any spark on your end?!"
That pretentious woman again?
Charlotte pouted her lips sullenly.
"Well, I don’t have any romantic feelings for her.." responded Ryan lightly.
That got the lass who had a spoon in her mouth to smile slightly..
"If so, then we’ll just have to find another girl for you!" Even his grandmother could not help butting into the conversation. "What kind of girls do you like, grandson? Tell me, and I’ll help you find a suitable one."
"Yeah, yeah! That’s right! I’ve got plenty of connections and resources!" His older sister nodded fervently, "Recently, many rich ladies have been actively pestering me about this. Tell us the type of woman you prefer ..Ryan and I can guarantee that I’ll find a decent and suitable one for you! You won’t lose out in any way!"
"....." Charlotte nervously looked at the man opposite her, whose gaze seemed to sweep over her inadvertently before he finally parted his lips."Don’t worry about it..I have someone in my mind.."
As soon as his voice dropped, everyone was rendered speechless as they stared at him in disbelief..
Since when did Ryan Harrington..a cold and aloof chap, found someone his liking..This was not his usual style!
