Chapter 147
Emily had long noticed Tina stealing glances at her, but since Tina hadn’t spoken up, she didn’t feel it was appropriate to ask first. But Emily never expected Tina to ask about this, of all things.
Emily remained silent for a moment. Instead of answering her question, she simply said, “That’s all in the past now.”
All she wanted now was to survive. Whether she had let go of the past or not, it just
didn’t matter anymore.
Tina seemed to catch the implied meaning in her words. She opened her mouth to say something, but ultimately remained silent.
With Louisa’s issue resolved, Emily felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
But another weight still pressed on Emily’s heart. Bob, who had promised to return before Charles’ birthday, had suddenly gone silent.
The day before yesterday, Emily had spoken to Bob on the phone. He said he was already on his way back and would arrive by the next day at the latest.
Two days had passed, but Bob still hadn’t returned, and he was completely unreachable.
The gnawing unease Emily had been forcing down surged up again. Still, she fought to keep it hidden, not wanting Charles to notice anything was wrong.
Even when Charles asked why Bob hadn’t come back yet, Emily quickly made up an excuse to reassure him. “I just called Bob. He’s already on his way and will come straight to the hotel shortly.”
Charles let out an exasperated chuckle. “When Bob was young, he couldn’t stand being ate. Who would’ve thought he’d turn into such a latecomer in his old age?”
Charles glanced at another new outfit set aside and said with a playful tone, “Emily, put this outfit away for safekeeping. If Bob dares not show up, he’s not getting it.”
Charles pretended not to care, but Emily knew he was just putting on an act.
After so many years by Charles’ side, Bob had never been late for anything, let alone for Charles’ highly anticipated birthday party today.
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Chapter 147
Bob still hadn’t shown up by now. He must have gotten held up by something.
Emily knew Charles was putting up a front, but deep down, he was worried.
“Grandpa, why don’t you go ahead to the party first? I’ll call Bob to check where he is and have him change into his new outfit when he arrives,” Emily said.
With the new outfit in one hand and her phone in the other, Emily walked outside.
Over the past two days, Emily had called Bob countless times, but his phone remained stubbornly unreachable. Predictably, this attempt was no exception.
The cold, robotic voice prompt from her phone made Emily’s blood run cold.
Bob had left with quite a few people. If something really had happened, surely they would have heard something by now.
‘Maybe he’s just tied up with something and can’t get away right now. Nothing bad could have happened, Emily wondered.
Trying to reassure herself, Emily continued calling Bob. But no matter how many times she called, there was still no response from the other end.
As time ticked by, the lively chatter from inside the hotel gradually drifted out, yet Emily still couldn’t get through to Bob.
After a long moment of hesitation, Emily finally turned and headed back into the hotel.
‘If something’s happened to Bob, it will be terrible. I need to tell Grandpa right away,’ Emily thought anxiously.
But when Emily saw Charles leaning on his cane, chatting animatedly with the guests, not even using his wheelchair, her steps suddenly faltered.
‘Today is Grandpa’s birthday. He’s been looking forward to it with such joy for so long. If he hears that something might have happened to Bob, could his old heart really take
