029: An unexpected Visitor

Elena stared at the message on her phone long after the screen went dark.

If you won't come home... then I'll come to you.

A knot formed in her stomach.

She had ignored her grandfather's first request because she wasn't ready to face him. Too much had happened in such a short time. The divorce, the pregnancy, moving into Blackwood Mansion, and now Margaret's unexpected appearance at the gala.

She wasn't ready to explain any of it.

"Miss Elena?"

Damian's voice pulled her back to reality.

She quickly locked her phone and looked up.

"What happened?" he asked, noticing the worry on her face.

"It's... nothing."

Damian raised an eyebrow.

"You've never been good at pretending."

Elena let out a helpless laugh.

"Was I that obvious?"

"Only to someone who's paying attention."

His answer caught her off guard.

For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Elena lowered her eyes.

"My grandfather called."

Damian's expression softened.

"The one you told me about?"

She nodded.

"He wanted me to go home a few days ago. I couldn't."

"And now?"

"He says he's coming here."

She sighed.

"I don't even know how to face him."

Damian remained quiet for a moment before speaking.

"You don't have to face him alone."

His voice was calm, but there was certainty behind it.

"If you'd like... I'll be there."

Elena looked at him in surprise.

"You'd do that?"

He smiled faintly.

"I made you a promise, didn't I?"

Warmth spread through Elena's heart.

She wasn't used to having someone stand beside her without expecting anything in return.

"Thank you," she whispered.

The rest of the afternoon passed quickly.

The charity team continued preparing for their upcoming outreach program, and Elena threw herself into the work.

While reviewing a list of donated supplies, she suddenly frowned.

"The quantities don't match," she said.

One of the coordinators looked confused.

"What do you mean?"

Elena pointed at the report.

"According to this invoice, five hundred blankets were delivered."

She flipped to another page.

"But the warehouse only received three hundred."

The room fell silent.

Damian walked over and examined the documents himself.

"She's right."

His eyes darkened.

"Someone altered the records."

The employees exchanged nervous glances.

Damian calmly closed the file.

"We'll audit every shipment."

His voice remained composed, but everyone knew he wasn't pleased.

As the meeting ended, Elena couldn't shake the feeling that it wasn't just a simple accounting mistake.

Someone inside the organization was being dishonest.

Across the city, Adrian sat in his office staring at the old letter again.

Margaret.

The name refused to leave his mind.

Just then, his investigator walked in carrying a thin brown envelope.

"I found something."

Adrian immediately reached for it.

Inside were copies of records from a children's home that had closed years ago.

Several pages were missing.

Others had been deliberately damaged.

But one line remained readable.

Emergency Guardian: Samuel Eze.

Adrian frowned.

"Who is Samuel Eze?"

"We're still investigating," the investigator replied.

"But someone paid to remove the rest of the file."

Adrian's jaw tightened.

"Then someone doesn't want Elena's past discovered."

That evening, Blackwood Mansion was peaceful.

Mrs. Harper had prepared dinner, insisting everyone eat before returning to work.

Halfway through the meal, the housekeeper entered the dining room.

"Mr. Blackwood."

"There's a gentleman at the gate."

Damian looked up.

"Did he give his name?"

"Yes, sir."

The housekeeper hesitated before answering.

"He says he's Miss Elena's grandfather."

The spoon slipped from Elena's hand and clattered onto the plate.

Her heart began to pound.

She wasn't expecting him this soon.

Damian looked at her reassuringly before pushing back his chair.

"I'll go with you."

Elena took a deep breath.

No matter how much she wanted to delay this moment...

There was no running anymore.

Outside the mansion gates, an elderly man stood quietly with a worn leather bag at his feet.

The moment his eyes met Elena's, they filled with emotion.

"My child..."

he whispered.

Elena felt her throat tighten.

She hadn't heard those words in years.