Miranda asked, “Would you like to try some castella? I can get you a piece.”

Fiona was about to respond when Sam’s phone rang. Whatever he heard on the other end made his expression turn cold immediately.

“Alright, I understand. Keep the situation under control. I’ll get there as soon as I can,” he said before hanging up.

He then turned to Miranda with an apologetic look. “I’m sorry, something urgent came up at the company, and I need to leave.”

He looked at his grandparents and said, “Grandpa, Grandma, let me take you home first. I’ll spend more time with you next time when things aren’t so rushed."

“Alright. It’s just that we haven’t had a chance to meet Miranda’s parents yet."

Miranda quickly assured them, “It’s okay, you take care of your business first. There will definitely be another opportunity to meet.”

With that, Sam escorted his grandparents out of the cafe and drove them away before Mindy and Lionel could reach them.

Mindy glanced outside and asked, “Who were those two elderly folks just now?”

“They’re Mr. Cooper’s grandparents. We met them at the book signing event and became acquainted. It’s such a coincidence to run into them again today,” Miranda explained.

Mindy nodded, not thinking too much of it. “Quite a coincidence. Are you tired? Should we head home?”

“Let’s stay a bit longer. We haven’t even explored the entire street yet,” Miranda said, holding onto Mindy’s arm playfully.

Mindy laughed, “Alright, let’s keep going then.”

In the car, Sam was steering the wheel while talking on the phone with his assistant. “Do as I said. Calm everyone down for now. I’ll handle the rest when I get there.”

Aren asked, “Is it urgent? If you’re in a hurry, you can drop us off somewhere, and your grandmother and I will catch a cab home.”

“It’s not too urgent; my team is already handling it,” Sam replied.

“Good to hear,” Aren said, relaxing a bit.

Sam hesitated for a moment, then finally asked, “Grandpa, what’s the plan for your stay this time? How long do you intend to stay? I know a few good doctors who could give Grandma a thorough consultation. Would you be open to that?”

“Arrange it as you see fit,” Aren answered calmly.

Sam then brought up another delicate topic, choosing his words carefully. “There’s one more thing. Mom has been thinking of you both often. She knows Grandma’s eyesight is troubling her and has been eager for me to find the best doctors.

“She doesn’t know you’re back yet. Do you think it would be possible to meet her? Perhaps we could all have a family dinner?”

Even though he knew it might be a sensitive subject, Sam still hoped to find a way to bridge the gap between his mother and his grandparents.

But the moment he mentioned his mother, the air in the car turned icy. Aren’s brow furrowed, and he remained silent, while Fiona bluntly said, “I’m not feeling well and can’t receive guests at the moment. But I appreciate her concern."

Guests. That was all Nelly was to her now – a guest.

Out of respect for Sam, Fiona softened her words slightly, but her message was clear. Sam knew better than to push the issue any further and remained silent.

After a brief pause, Sam remembered something his assistant had mentioned earlier that morning. “We have a ten-year agreement with the government to keep Garrison Garden open to the public for free. That agreement is about to expire soon. Should we renew it?”

Garrison Garden belonged to the Garrisons. Although it was open to the public, it had never been handed over to the authorities. The government only held a management agreement, not ownership.

Aren’s eyes dimmed slightly, and he let out a sigh. “Renew it. Sign for another ten years.”

He knew that if Minnie ever found her way back, at least she would have a familiar place to come home to.