Chapter 990

Leona frowned. "Grandpa is leaving for Victory Pass tomorrow. He's getting older, and after this, who knows when we'll see him again? He spent his 70th birthday alone at Sullivan Estate. Don't you want to go have a meal with him and wish him a long life?"

Heather wiped away her tears. "No, I can't go. Besides, Carissa should have been the one to celebrate his 70th birthday with him."

Leona's anger flared. "Mom, you know Carissa couldn't see him or celebrate with him on his birthday. Negotiations hadn't begun, and His Majesty hadn't made his decision. How could she possibly have done such a thing at such a time?"

Heather dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief, her voice choked with emotion. "Well, it's all over now. A meal now isn't the same as on his actual birthday. I didn't go then, but when he returned to the capital, I tried to visit. Someone was guarding the door and wouldn't let me in. At least I tried."

Though Leona had found peace in the past few days, her mother's callousness left her speechless with anger.

"Fine," Leona said, shaking her head, disappointment evident in her eyes. "I thought you were weak, but I never imagined you'd be so cold. If you don't want to go, I won't force you."

Heather buried her face in her hands, close to breaking down. "Why is seeing him so important? Why don't you care about me? Your father doesn't want me anymore. He left the manor empty and took everything. I have nothing."

Leona was about to leave, but her mother's pain made her try again.

"We can deal with Dad's situation separately. That won't stop you from seeing Grandpa. He's leaving for Victory Pass tomorrow. If you don't see him now, you may never get another chance. He's your family. Isn't this the perfect time to ask him for help, now that you're in trouble?"

"He won't help me," Heather said, wiping her tears, but they continued to flow. "Your grandfather will be angry about how I treated your aunt and Carissa, and your third aunt won't look at me kindly either."

Leona sighed softly. "So, you knew all along."

Heather sobbed. "I had no choice. Your father said the capital was too complicated, the king too suspicious. He told me to stay out of everything and keep my distance. It was the only way we could stay in the capital and not be sent away."

Chapter 990 (Continued)

Leona smiled bitterly. "So, you did nothing when Aunt Melanie was in trouble, you didn't care when Carissa had problems, and you didn't speak up when I was bullied by Samuel. All for a comfortable life in the capital? But have you really had a good life here? It would have been better to return to the fief."

"It wasn't that I didn't want to help. Your father wouldn't allow it," Heather replied, her voice cracking.

Leona didn't want to dwell on the past. With tears in her eyes, she asked quietly, "Will you come with me to see Grandpa?"

Heather shook her head vigorously. "No, I can't go. Tell your grandfather tell him I'm ill and bedridden."

"If Grandpa believes you're too sick to move, do you think he won't come see you? He might be angry, but you're his daughter—his own flesh and blood. Not everyone is as cold as you."

Heather's eyes were filled with sorrow. "It doesn't matter whether he believes it or not. Just go, please. When they leave the capital, come back and stay with me. I'm afraid, Leona. I don't know what's going to happen."

Leona left, her heart heavy with disappointment.