Chapter 34: The Sneaky Woman
Mabel was certain her granddaughter's favored man possessed extraordinary, unknown qualities. However, after Caroline revealed his background, Mabel suspected a hearing problem.
“What did you say? He dropped out of high school and was divorced once!” Mabel’s eyes widened. She thought Alistair quite handsome, but his background seemed terribly unsuitable for her beautiful granddaughter, worth tens of billions of dollars. It was a mercy he wasn't single. Mabel genuinely liked Alistair; she wouldn't casually look down on anyone. But she still hoped the man beside her exceptional granddaughter would be equally exceptional. Even if not as brilliant as her granddaughter, he should at least be nearly so.
Alistair’s circumstances were far inferior to her granddaughter’s; hardly a match, Mabel thought. Caroline’s expression turned calm. “Grandma, if you think he’s not good enough, I can raise Eloise alone for the rest of my life.” This wasn't a threat, but a statement of fact, delivered pointedly to Mabel. Giving up Alistair was impossible. A voice whispered in her heart: It's impossible to give him up in my lifetime. Mabel was shocked and confused. Is it really not a case of being possessed? For a man with only his looks to recommend him, Caroline even threatened her. She knew Caroline's temper; if she said so, she could definitely do it! She didn't want to say Caroline was blindly in love, but she couldn't understand why. There were plenty of outstanding men in the world, but why Alistair?
Caroline sat beside Mabel, leaning against her like a child. “Grandma, I’m not a child anymore.” Mabel touched Caroline’s face lovingly and snorted, “Yeah, my granddaughter’s grown up and has been a mother for five years.” Caroline’s voice was soft. “So Grandma, please trust me, okay?” She left unspoken the rest: Trust my judgment in men.
Mabel remained silent for a long time. Everyone wants their children to be well. Mabel felt her perfect granddaughter deserved the world’s best man. She didn't think Alistair was bad, but his lack of a respectable background and college education were facts. Mabel, less concerned than Julian, asked directly, “Carol, are you possessed? You are so excellent. Why a divorced man?” “Grandma!” Caroline’s helpless tone held a hint of sweetness. “Don’t forget I have a daughter.” Mabel asked, “So what if you have a daughter? You’re still a virgin.” Caroline said nothing. Beneath her seemingly weak exterior, she was stubborn and wouldn't listen.
Mabel sighed, “Oh, forget it. I said too much, and you think I’m nagging. I don’t have many requirements. As long as you’re happy, it doesn’t matter if his circumstances are a little worse. Anyway, our family is rich and powerful; we don’t expect him to earn money to support the family. As long as you can live a good life, that’s enough…” A little depressed, Mabel added, A little worse? It’s impossible to find someone with a worse background. “But if he treats you badly,” Mabel snorted, “then I won’t be nice to him. It will be useless no matter how much you protect him!” Caroline smiled, “Don’t worry, Grandma, that day will never come.” If I didn’t believe in Alistair, would I let him live in my home with us? Although she didn't know the source of her trust, she simply trusted him.
In the garden, scattered petals fell in the wind, beautiful as paradise. Alistair photographed Eloise, who eagerly picked up petals, posing for his camera. Julian tossed an orange, smiling. “You get along well with Eloise.” Alistair created a new album for Eloise's photos. “Eloise is very well-behaved and sensible.” Julian agreed.
When Caroline brought Eloise home, she was small and timid, crying at the approach of anyone but Caroline. For Eloise, Caroline dropped out of school to care for her day and night. Since Alistair's arrival, however, Julian noticed Eloise becoming more lively. Julian took a call, signaled to Alistair, and walked away.
“Dad, can you show me the photos?” Eloise ran to look. Seeing something, her expression changed; she hid behind Alistair. Alistair turned, alert. A middle-aged woman appeared, nervously putting her hands in her pockets and looking away. Besides family and friends, only nannies entered Mabel’s manor. From her attire, Alistair guessed she was a nanny. His eyes fell on her pocket—likely a cell phone.
A bold thought struck Alistair: the woman was secretly filming them! He found it unbelievable. He wasn't a star; why would she photograph him? Alistair whispered, “Eloise, do you know her?” Eloise timidly hugged his legs. “Yes, she said I was a burden to my mother.” Alistair was stunned. Looking at the woman again, coldness flashed in his eyes. It turned out to be this woman!
Alistair said, “Eloise, can you wait for Daddy here?” Eloise nodded. Alistair strode toward the woman, who was about to leave. “Hey,” he called impatiently. Women who spoke so sarcastically to a well-behaved child were not good. He found her secretive behavior suspicious.
The woman was stunned, then turned and smiled respectfully. “Mr. Harlow, what can I do for you?” Alistair recalled her serving them water earlier. He shook his phone, smiling helplessly. “I want to make a call, but my phone is out of battery. Can you lend me yours?” A common request. As a distinguished guest, his request should be granted. However, discomfort flickered across the woman’s face. She gave a dry laugh. “Sorry, Mr. Harlow, my phone is out of credit.” “Oh,” Alistair muttered, “what a coincidence.” The woman breathed a sigh of relief. Alistair smiled faintly; his eyes held no gentleness. “Is it that your phone is out of credit, or that the photos you secretly took haven’t been processed yet and can’t be seen by me?”
The woman was shocked, instinctively denying, “I don’t understand what you’re saying.” Alistair, originally uncertain, was now sure his guess was correct. She had secretly taken photos.
Julian finished his call, taking Eloise’s hand. “What happened?” “Dude, I don’t know why she secretly took photos of Eloise and me,” Alistair replied. Julian was confused. “Agnes, you…”
Agnes Crowley, recovering from her initial panic, said sadly, “No, I didn’t take any photos. Mr. Harlow is new here, so it’s okay if he doesn’t know me, but you know me, Julian!” She became increasingly agitated. “The flowers are in bloom, and I thought they were beautiful, so I took some pictures. Even if Mr. Harlow and Eloise were included, it was accidental. If Mr. Harlow insists I took the pictures secretly, then I will have no way to defend myself.”
Julian looked at Alistair, embarrassed. “Uh, is there a misunderstanding?” Taking pictures of beautiful scenery seemed normal to Julian; Alistair would usually consider it a fuss. However, knowing what Agnes said to Eloise and seeing her unconcealed panic, Alistair was certain something was wrong. He felt uneasy, unable to understand why she secretly photographed them.
Alistair immediately called Caroline; she soon arrived with Mabel. Agnes was crying, head bowed, appearing extremely aggrieved. To outsiders, Alistair seemed a villain, abusing his position to bully her. Mabel asked, confused, “What’s going on?” Agnes sobbed, repeating her account to Julian, saying she’d never been so wronged and wanted to resign. They felt Alistair was unreasonably using his status to cause trouble. Mabel pondered, remaining silent while Julian remained neutral.
Caroline then said, “Could you please take out your phone and show it to us? If my husband wronged you, I will apologize on his behalf and give you ten years’ salary as compensation. What do you think?” Alistair looked at Caroline in surprise. She hadn't even asked him before deciding. Ten years’ salary was insignificant given her nine-figure income, but it wasn’t about money; Caroline’s trust in Alistair was clear. Agnes stammered, “M–My phone is out of battery.” Alistair bluntly exposed her lie. “You just said your phone was out of credit, and now it’s out of battery? No matter how coincidental, everything can’t happen at the same time.” Mabel stared at Agnes. Usually kind and easy-going, she wasn't stupid. Agnes’ unnatural demeanor showed she was hiding something.
Mabel was about to speak when Caroline glanced at Agnes indifferently. “I’ll give you an opportunity to tell the truth. Three, two, one. Sorry, you missed it.” Agnes was stunned. Alistair tried to suppress a smile. Caroline’s swift countdown showed she intended to give Agnes no chance. In the pleasant spring air, Agnes began to sweat.