“But I heard something happened to Madam Grace…” Leonard asked cautiously, “That’s why I called to check with you. Do you know why she ended up in the hospital all of a sudden?”

Aurora jolted fully awake, her tone rising sharply. “What are you talking about? Who’s in the hospital?”

She still didn’t believe it. She was sure Leonard was messing with her.

“I’m talking about Walton Corporation’s chairwoman…” By the end of his sentence, Leonard’s voice had lowered noticeably. Judging by Aurora’s reaction, he was now certain that she really didn’t know her mother had been hospitalized. What on earth was going on? Weren’t they supposed to have a good relationship?

How could a daughter not even know her mother was in the hospital?

Leonard quickly tried to smooth things over. “Well, that’s just what I heard. I’m not sure if it’s true or not. It’s probably not true. Since you didn’t know anything, maybe it’s just a rumor.”

But Aurora felt anything but reassured. Her mind immediately jumped to what had happened at the company – how she’d snapped at Grace. Grace had clutched her chest then, clearly triggered by her recurring heart issue. But Aurora had already gone to get the medicine. Why would she still end up in the hospital? The mix of guilt and confusion gnawed at her, threatening to rip her apart.

“Leonard… maybe what you said is true…” Her voice trembled beneath its determined surface. “I’ll call you back later, after I find out what really happened.”

“Alright, no problem. I won’t bother you anymore.”

With that, Leonard hung up without hesitation, giving Aurora the space to think. He wasn’t clueless. He’d already pieced together the general picture just from a few brief words. Clearly, this wasn’t something simple.

The more he thought about it, the more wrong it all felt. How could he just sit around and do nothing at a time like this? Almost instinctively, Leonard scooped up Nora, planning to use her as an excuse to go see Aurora.

But just as he headed for the door, Jasmine’s voice rang out. “Leonard, where are you going?”

“Out,” he answered, confused, holding Nora in his arms. Wasn’t it obvious? Why even ask?

Jasmine looked at her son’s silly expression and sighed. She didn’t beat around the bush. “Alright, if you want to go, then just go. But leave your sister here.”

Leonard frowned. “No way. She’s the perfect excuse.”

Jasmine rolled her eyes. “I know a bit about what’s going on with the Waltons. If you really want to check in on her, then just go directly. What’s with dragging your little sister along like some weird crutch?” She reached out and took Nora from his arms. “You two are grown adults. You already have a reason to go. Stop using your sister as cover.”

Leonard had been sulking a little, but after hearing his mother’s blunt breakdown, he suddenly realized that he really had been acting like a rookie.

It turned out his mother knew more about winning a girl over than he did.

“Thanks, Mom. Got it. I’m heading out now.”

Jasmine gave him a satisfied nod. “That’s more like it. When you get there, talk to her properly. Even the strongest people have their breaking points. Right now, that girl is the perfect example. Don’t waste this chance.”