The bodyguards and driver said good night to Isabella and left. They had brought her home safely and were not worried since Austin would be with her. After everyone left, Isabella finally turned toward Austin, who was also looking at her. They met each other’s gaze. After some time, Austin boldly held her hand and pulled her into his embrace. “I missed you so much, Ms. Isabella. The past few days felt like years to me. I was so scared and worried that you’d get angry and ignore me after discovering everything.“I was afraid that what Zachary had experienced would happen to me. After all, I’ve hid many things from you.“You can get furious, hit, or scold me, but please don’t ignore me.“Ever since I liked cooking, I’d feel uncomfortable all over if I didn’t cook a few dishes a day. However, I really couldn’t bring myself to cook for the past few days.“I wasn’t in the mood to cook because you weren’t here. An absent-minded chef can never make delicious food.”Isabella lea
“I like your personality, Isa. It’s always better to communicate in person.”Grandma May complimented Isabella while putting her phone back in her pocket. She and Isabella continued walking and chatting.Isabella had gotten closer to Grandma May after obtaining her answer.Not only did Grandma May bring her around FC Manor, but she also offered to take her to the night market. Grandma May said Isabella definitely did not have time to go shopping.Tania and the rest were also summoned back to FC Manor by Grandma May. Tania was overjoyed to meet her future daughter-in-law. She was utterly satisfied with Isabella. Elizabeth was envious as she still had a few grandsons who were single. On the other hand, her best friend had personally chosen her granddaughters-in-law and arranged for her grandsons to woo them. Every couple Grandma May had brought together turned out successful, which made Elizabeth want to do the same. The young masters of the Johnsons who were still single d
Austin and Isabella spoke at the same time. They went silent.Austin broke the silence first. “You may speak first, Ms. Isabella.”Isabella said, “I’ve nothing to say. I can understand why you’ve done what you did.”“I’m sorry for keeping secrets from you, Ms. Isabella.”“There’s nothing to apologize for. I don’t know anything about you. If it weren’t for my friend, I wouldn’t have known you’re a young master of the Yorks. I couldn’t even obtain that information despite running a background check on you twice.”Isabella let out a self-deprecating laugh. “I know there are always people more capable than me. I probably couldn’t find anything about you because you or your family had found out and intervened.“I feel complicated now, Austin. I don’t know what to say. Give me two days to calm down. We can talk when I’m back, okay?”Austin replied, “Of course. I’m the one in the wrong. I’m grateful you didn’t get angry, scold, or fire me.“Are you going to stay there for a few more
“Why are you still keeping it a secret from her if you’ve already fallen in love with her? You could’ve just told her when she asked you about it.”Grandma May stopped smiling and reminded Austin, “Don’t be like Zachary. He kept things from her, yet Serenity found out the truth unexpectedly. It almost ruined their relationship.”“I’m scared Isabella might fire me if I tell her the truth, Nana. If I lose my job and leave the O’Connor family, it’ll be difficult for me to meet her in the future. She’s too busy. She has no time to be involved with someone like me.”Austin worriedly said, “I want to tell her that she’s the fiancée you chose for me only after she fell in love with me and that I traveled this far to be her private chef because of her.“Being her private chef was not just to take care of her, but I also wanted us to develop feelings for each other through our daily interactions.”A marriage without love would not last long. Without love, he would not marry her, nor vice
“You should take a break from time to time. Nothing is more valuable than health.”Grandma May held Isabella’s hand as they left the gazebo. She shared her tips on maintaining one’s health with Isabella. Suddenly, Grandma May’s phone rang. She released Isabella’s hand and got her phone out. When she saw the caller ID, she said, “It’s Austin. He probably guessed that you’d come over to meet me.“He’s a smart boy.”None of her nine grandsons were stupid. She was pretty satisfied with her children's and grandchildren’s intelligence. While other families could not prosper forever, the York family was able to continue producing talents in every generation. Grandma May answered Austin’s call. “Are you home, Nana?”Austin asked, “Or are you still at FC Manor?”Grandma May replied, “Jasmine gave birth. I wanted to visit her but decided it could wait after hearing it was a son. I’ll attend the baby’s sip and see shower instead when the baby turns a month old.“Tell your da
“Austin has his reasons for keeping it a secret, Isa. Don’t quarrel with him when you get back. Talk to him.”Isabella smiled. “I won’t have a fight with him. I’ve already expected this outcome. I’m just here to get confirmation.”Since she had already guessed it, she was mentally prepared for it. Therefore, she could accept the truth easily.“Austin didn’t hide his true identity, right?” Grandma May asked. With Zachary setting an example, his younger brothers probably would not make the same mistake.After a brief pause, Isabella replied, “He didn’t hide his identity but didn’t reveal it either. If I never asked him, he wouldn’t have said anything.”She had investigated Austin twice yet could not figure out his true identity. Isabella was too ashamed to mention it. Grandma May defended Austin. “Of course Austin wouldn’t say anything if you didn’t ask him about it. He can’t possibly be announcing to whoever he meets that he’s a young master of the Yorks and that they shoul
Isabella spoke suddenly, making Grandma May sit up straight like a student in a class. “Go on, Isa. I’m all ears.”Grandma May had a smile on her face. Looking at the old lady, who was friendly and smiling, Isabella’s expression and voice softened unconsciously. “Thank you for holding me in high regard, Old Mrs. York. Since you’ve chosen me as Austin’s fiancée, you must be aware of my family’s situation.”Grandma May nodded—she knew everything.She had looked into every of her granddaughters-in-law’s family backgrounds.“I can’t live too far away from Satbury after getting married.”Isabella was straightforward. “If I date Austin, he’ll have to live with the O’Connors. I’m also a picky eater. He can’t be away for too long as he has to prepare my meals.“This means he won’t be able to visit Wiltspoon often. The York family had put much effort into raising him into a fine young man. I wouldn’t request my husband be a live-in son-in-law unless necessary.”If Austin were to ma
When asked who his fiancée was, Austin refused to reveal anything. He would have told any other person without hesitation.While Austin’s explanation sounded reasonable, Isabella felt he was hiding something. If she was his fiancée, it could explain why he was keeping it a secret. Grandma May met Isabella’s gaze. As expected of the granddaughter-in-law she had picked. She liked Isabella’s straightforward attitude.Grandma May did not give Isabella an answer. Instead, she asked, “Why do you think you’re Austin’s fiancée?”Isabella provided an explanation with a clear analysis. Anyone who heard her would have been convinced she was Austin’s fiancée. In the end, she added, “You’ve met me before, but I’ve no impression of it at all. I think you’ve been observing me secretly for Austin.”Austin had mentioned that the York men prioritized character when choosing their wives.Of course, with the Yorks’ status, their sons would always marry an elite daughter of equal social status
Isabella did not believe Grandma May’s explanation.However, she did not refute it immediately. Instead, she followed the old lady into a garden blooming with flowers of every color. It was truly vibrant as it was springtime.At the center stood a gazebo.Grandma May suggested, “Isa, let’s sit at the gazebo and enjoy the view.”Isabella accompanied her inside. When Grandma May went to sit, Isabella supported her again.Though usually cold and aloof, she was gentle, attentive, and considerate toward elders.Plus, Grandma May had long been a figure of fascination. After hearing so much about her from Austin, Isabella genuinely admired her.Once Grandma May was seated, Isabella took the opposite side.She studied the old lady for a long moment before speaking. “Old Mrs. York, I have a very tight schedule. I barely managed to squeeze these two days out to come here, solely for an answer, so I hope you won’t evade giving me an answer.“I don’t believe what you said earlier. Austin