After the Edwards family fell from grace, few visitors came. Layne's only visitors were old friends who arrived by bicycle or on foot. The courtyard was so precious that even a single brick was considered an antique; breaking one would be heartbreaking.

"I'll see who it is," Layne said, setting down her teacup and heading for the door. "I'll change my clothes first," she added, gesturing to her pink pajamas, inappropriate for guests.

The gate opened, but Layne's face darkened upon seeing the visitor. He started to close the door.

"Layne, wait!" A hand pressed against the door, and a man in a black coat squeezed inside.

He stood before Layne. Over twenty years had passed, and the man—his hair now silver—had aged considerably.

"Adrian? You didn't die overseas? What are you doing in my dilapidated courtyard?" Layne's usually gentle demeanor was replaced by surprising hatred.

Cheyenne, buttoning her jacket in her room on the left side of the courtyard, heard the commotion. She could hear everything clearly. Was Grandfather truly angry? She had to see for herself.

She quickly finished dressing, securing her long hair with a pearl clip.

Despite Layne's sarcasm, Adrian remained calm, his smile accentuating his wrinkles. "After all these years, you still have a short temper," he replied softly.

"What brings you here?" Adrian brushed dust from his clothes before stepping into the courtyard in his polished shoes. The unchanged yard evoked emotion. "I never thought, after more than twenty years, it would still be exactly like this." He reminisced, "I remember when you wanted to eat apples and climbed the tree. You fell, and Uncle cut it down. Actually, the fruit from that tree was really sweet."

The words instantly transported Layne back to his childhood. He was seventy now; Adrian, five years younger, would be sixty-five.

"I don't want to hear your nonsense. Even the Edwards ancestors wouldn't welcome you. Leave," Layne snapped. Cheyenne emerged just in time to hear her grandfather's words.

What did he mean? Did Granduncle commit a grave mistake? Why did Grandpa hate him so much?

Adrian's purpose prevented a simple dismissal. He stood stubbornly at the door, looking intently at Layne.

"Layne, I've changed in these past years abroad. I was wrong; my youthful arrogance hurt you all!" Adrian said apologetically. "What can I do to earn your forgiveness?"

Cheyenne approached and gently tugged on her grandfather's sleeve. "Grandpa, it's him," she whispered. "The one who gave me the Rejuvenated Herb for free at the auction."

Layne knew about this; he'd prepared twenty million dollars for Cheyenne to obtain the herb. Adrian smiled at his bright grandniece. "Cheyenne, can you speak for me? Your grandfather misunderstood."

"Granduncle," Cheyenne said smoothly, "I don't know what happened between you two. Why don't you tell me what's going on?" Adrian was speechless.

The final paragraph contained a promotional line that was removed. The text has been cleaned up for grammar, punctuation, and flow. Some sentences were combined for conciseness, and word choices were improved for clarity and style.