Chapter 9: Why Regret It?

Among the most powerful families, the Payne and Herring families were definitely at the top, along with the Grant family. The Cooper family could barely enter their circle. The Payne family was the most powerful of them all. They had secret resources in Nemmington. Harold, the man of the moment in Melcester during his youth, had moved to Nemmington for recuperation ten years ago and rarely returned. Younger generations knew his name but seldom met him in person.

Harold was in a good mood upon seeing them. He announced with a smile, "I came back to bring my granddaughter home."

"Granddaughter?" Oliva looked at Myrna, who was quietly pushing Harold's wheelchair. Myrna, with fair skin and a slim figure, was stunningly beautiful.

"So it's the girl. She's so beautiful!" Oliva wasn't exaggerating. The Payne family all had delicate features, but Myrna's were exceptional.

Harold chuckled. "She's so young. It's a bit early to think about appearance." Despite saying so, he didn't hide his pride. He introduced Oliva to Myrna: "Myrna, this is Oliva."

Myrna raised her eyebrows slightly and said sweetly, "Hello, Oliva."

Oliva immediately removed a bracelet from her wrist and pressed it into Myrna's hand. She said, feeling guilty, "Oh my, you're so sweet, Myrna. I didn't know your grandfather brought you here for lunch today. Otherwise, I would have prepared a better gift. I've worn this bracelet for years, and it's very precious to me. It's supposed to bring good luck. I hope you like it."

Myrna tried to refuse but failed. After Harold persuaded her, she accepted the bracelet against her will.

After giving Myrna a gift at their first meeting, Oliva chatted contentedly with Harold. Members of the Stark family, including Celia, were stunned. Amy and Luther were especially surprised. Their faces were pale and sullen. Luther hesitated, unsure whether to speak to them. Stephanie felt as if struck by lightning. Her delicate face was as pale as a sheet. She pinched her fingers and murmured in disbelief, audible only to herself, "Aren't Myrna's parents from River Town? How could Oliva know her family?"

It seemed Oliva not only knew Harold but also deliberately positioned herself near him. How did Myrna know such powerful people?

Oliva chatted with Harold for a while, then asked Myrna, "Is Myrna a high school student now?"

"Yes, and she's about to start her senior year," Harold replied with a smile.

Oliva looked at Myrna and asked, "Which high school?"

Harold answered casually, "Melcester Central High School. She took a break from school a year ago and had to choose a new one. I asked her opinion, and she thought Melcester Central High School was okay. So she's temporarily staying here for school."

Stephanie and the Stark family heard the name Melcester Central High School despite their preoccupied state. Stephanie's lips drained of color. She could barely stand. She thought, "Melcester Central High School? Is Myrna going to study at Melcester Central High School?" When she took the high school entrance examination, her family had worked hard to secure a place for her at Melcester Central High School, but Harold made it sound effortless. The disparity stunned her.

Stephanie wasn't in the mood to listen to anything Oliva said afterward. It wasn't until Myrna followed Harold and the others that Stephanie regained her composure. She heard her grandmother, Amy, greet Oliva, who was clearly of a higher social standing.

"Who was that elderly man just now?"

Oliva, unaware of their relationship with Myrna, replied casually, "Oh, you mean Harold? He's an old friend."

Amy asked doubtfully, "What kind of friend? Why haven't you mentioned him before?"

"I seldom see him, so I didn't specifically mention his name." Oliva and Amy had a good relationship, but the Stark family couldn't access Melcester's highest social circles. Harold had connections with the elite, so even Oliva had to be cautious. She didn't want to reveal Harold's identity to irrelevant people, so she smiled and said, "Well, Harold can be considered my teacher."

Oliva loved painting. Since Harold was a master painter, she had asked him for advice several times. It was fair to call him her teacher.

"I see." Amy finally understood.

Myrna's poor relatives were from River Town. If Harold was a good teacher, he would be well-known locally. Amy knew Oliva was obsessed with painting. Judging from the elderly man's age, he might have significant achievements in the field. A few TV series often featured experts appearing in the countryside. Unfortunately, Harold wasn't a famous teacher.

"I heard before that one of his biological granddaughters was lost as a child. I didn't expect that after so long, Harold would finally find her."

"Since the girl has been found after being lost for so long, her real grandfather will definitely treat her as his favorite."

"That girl is so lucky. I heard Harold found information about his granddaughter on the internet. The girl posted about how her adoptive family treated her online. It's clear she wasn't treated fairly… I don't know if that family will regret it one day."

The Stark family members felt dizzy, unable to believe what was happening. They were so embarrassed and ashamed they couldn't speak. Luther's face burned because he had just assumed Myrna was chasing him for money. He was too embarrassed to answer.

Amy, in contrast, looked coldly at Myrna's departing back with an unfathomable expression. "He's just a teacher. Why would we regret it?"

"Teacher? Does Amy misunderstand something?" Oliva wondered.

Since Myrna had left, Oliva said nothing more.

Chapter 10: Are You Free, Calvin?