Chapter 180 GrandpaThe car slowly rolled into the driveway of Ashbourne Manor. Before anyone couldhelp, Eloise unbuckled her seatbelt and leaped down from the child safety seat allon her own.She wore a white dress sprinkled with green flowers, her ponytail tied high andher wispy bangs pinned with sparkly rhinestone clips that shimmered in thesunlight.Nugget wagged his tail excitedly, circling around her. Eloise handed Nugget apeanut butter dog treat she'd brought from home and gently patted his head withher chubby little fingers. Her baby face lit up with a surprisingly tender look."No rush. I brought plenty more," she said sweetly.Mabel stood nearby, leaning lightly on her cane, her warm smile as kind as ever.But a closer look would reveal something buried deep in her eyes-an emotion shehadn't quite managed to hide. A hint of sorrow, and a quiet reluctance.Mabel was in her seventies now. She had been a schoolteacher in her youngeryears, raising a son and a daughter while standing shoulder to shoulder with herhusband, a small business owner. Their marriage had always been strong, theirlife modest but comfortable.Later, her son started his own business from scratch and built it into a remarkablesuccess. As his wealth grew, so did Mabel's22:38Chapter 180 Grandpa18 min leftstanding. After retiring, she spent her days tending to flowers, watching over hergranddaughter, and enjoying a peaceful, fulfilling life.Compared to the regrets many people carried through life, Mabel's journey hadbeen remarkably full.But no one lives without a few lingering attachments.She beamed as she waved them over. Eloise ran toward her, arms wide,shouting, "Great-Grandma!"1Nugget darted along behind her, hopping playfully.Caroline held onto Alistair's arm as they walked over slowly. She leaned in andwhispered, "Does Grandma look a little off to you today?"Normally makeup-free, Mabel had lightly powdered her face, curled her silver hairinto soft waves, and put on a deep plum dress with a delicate pearl necklacearound her neck.noveldramaShe looked graceful, refined, elegant-very much Mabel.But Alistair suspected the powder wasn't for beauty's sake. It was likely anattempt to hide her pallor, to appear more energized than she felt. Unfortunately,while makeup could eve out her complexion, it couldn't conceal the weariness inhereyes.22:38Chapter 180 Grandpa*18 min leftHe had already reached a quiet conclusion but kept it to himself. "She just got outof the hospital not long ago. It's normal she doesn't look her best."Caroline said nothing.Whether she agreed or simply didn't want Mabel to overhear, it wasn't clear.Mabel welcomed them with a wide smile, clearly happy to see the couple still soinseparable after everything.They had barely started dinner when heavy footsteps echoed from the hallway. Aman entered, casting a glance at the cheerful dining table before pressing his lipsinto a line, saying nothing.Mabel looked surprised. "Oh, you're here already?"It was Gordon. His expression softened slightly as he gave a low hum inresponse.Seeing how travel-worn he looked, Mabel asked, "Have you eaten?"He shook his head."Well then go grab a bite somewhere. Don't starve yourself. We've alreadystarted," she said kindly, though her words clearly meant he wasn't welcome atthe table.22:38лапс18 min left.Gordon hesitated.He gave her a helpless look and acted like he hadn't caught the hint. "You're justgetting started. I'll just nibble a little something. No big deal."Mabel didn't miss a beat. "The main course isn't enough for extras. The chefprepared it for a set number of people."Unbothered, Gordon pulled out a chair and sat down right next to Alistair. "I'm notthat hungry. I'll just pick at whatever's on the table."Mabel shot back without skipping a beat, "You're welcome to the salad or somebread. But don't touch the entrée unless you're planning to skip someone else'sportion."Gordon shrugged, letting go of his usual pride. "Fine, I'll wait and see what's leftonce everyone's had their fill. Salad and scraps it is."Alistair watched silently.If people knew that the almighty Gordon Ashbourr -king of the business world-was sitting here begging for leftovers from his own mother, they'd be speechless.Mabel, always the composed and dignified one, and Gordon, known for beingstern and no-nonsense... somehow, when the two of them were together, it allturned into a strange kind of22:38Chapter 180 Grandpa18 min leffcomedy. One looked like a mischievous old troublemaker, the other like a kidtrying to win his mom's approval after doing something wrong.They were clearly just bantering, but Mabel's surprise was real, and herdisapproval was subtle but unmistakable.She wasn't unhappy to see her son. She just didn't think this was the right time.Maybe if it were just Caroline, it'd be fine. But Alistair was here too. PerhapsMabel worried his presence might make things uncomfortable.Gordon clearly understood what she was thinking and didn't care one bit.Now that he was already seated, Mabel couldn't exactly throw him out in front ofthe younger ones. The least she could do was spare him the embarrassment.A servant arrived quietly with an extra set of utensils and placed them in front ofGordon without a word.Eloise sat between Mabel and Caroline, watching Gordon curiously with her bigbright eyes.When Gordon looked back at her, she got caught and quickly looked away. In ashy voice, she greeted him. "Grandpa."22:38Chapter 180 Grandpa18 min leftYears ago, Gordon had objected when Caroline insisted on keeping a child thatwasn't biologically hers.He'd said that, if she really wanted to raise a child, he could easily find a well-offfamily willing to adopt the girl and treat her like a princess.But what did it matter what he thought?He had no real say in Caroline's choices.He barely saw her, and his contact with Eloise was even more limited.Looking at her now-fair-skinned, bright-eyed, sharp as a tack- it was clearCaroline had raised her well.Still, that soft little "Grandpa" caught him off guard. Since sitting at the table,Eloise had been the first one to speak to him. No one had prompted her.Gordon responded with a quiet "Hey," and for the first time that day, somethingeased in his chest.They'd only seen each other a handful of times. How had she recognized him soquickly?No need to ask. It had to be Caroline. She must've talked about him to Eloise.22:38Chapter 180 Grandpa18 min leftHe let his gaze sweep casually toward Caroline, pleased to know he still heldsome space in her heart.Mabel looked surprised too. "Eloise, how did you know he's your grandpa?"Eloise peeked at Gordon and mumbled, "I saw him on TV once. He had the samelast name as me and Mommy, so I asked Daddy if he was part of our family.Daddy told me he's Mommy's dad, and I should call him Grandpa. So Iremembered..."Gordon stared at her, silent.So I was just imagining things.He cast a complicated glance at Alistair but said nothing.After lunch, Mabel sat in the living room with Eloise, listening as the little girl toldstories about preschool. Gordon chimed in now and then. Caroline and Alistair satclose together nearby. The whole scene felt warm and easy.They really were a family, after all. And this kind of peace was exactly what afamily should feel like.