Free Web NovelChapter 388: Chapter 385: Letting Go
Quentin Grant’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. "Of course. Mr. Bancroft is a resourceful young politician, so I’m sure what he says has a degree of credibility."
"I wouldn’t go so far as to plunge my country into disaster and panic for one woman."
"Since you’re saying you weren’t the one who hid him, Mr. Bancroft, would you mind revealing who the mastermind behind this plot is? Otherwise, it’s hard not to be suspicious."
Lillian Bancroft smiled. "Of course I won’t. This is an internal matter for us. Even if there are severe punishments, it will remain private. The sole reason I asked to meet with you, Mr. Grant, is to propose an agreement."
"I’m listening."
He took two sheets of paper and a pen from his bag.
"You must stop giving interviews and speaking publicly about the First Lady and Zeke Marshall. If you can do that, Zeke Marshall will be delivered to your doorstep in twenty minutes. If you can’t, there’s nothing more to discuss. It all depends on whether you have the authority to make this call."
Quentin Grant picked up the papers and read them. He had no objections. "I agree to these terms, but one more clause must be added: there will be no future abductions of Chloe Marshall or Dorothy. If you agree, this matter ends here. Although we have consistently been the victims, we prefer a peaceful resolution. It would be best if you also desire peace."
"Agreed."
When they left the teahouse, a light rain had begun to fall. Lillian Bancroft stood in the doorway while someone held an umbrella over him.
He sighed inwardly. ’How did things turn out like this?’
Upon returning to the Imperial Palace, he immediately gave the order to have Zeke Marshall escorted out. Then, he sat alone in the room where Chloe Marshall had once stayed.
"Someone."
"Yes, Supreme Leader."
"Notify the Prime Minister. Have all domestic media retract the news about the First Lady taking Dorothy into seclusion for three months. Tomorrow... we will begin the national selection for a new First Lady."
With this single sentence, he was effectively going back on his word, changing his mind, and confirming that the previous "First Lady" had indeed been Chloe Marshall.
But at this point, he had no other choice.
He had dug his own grave, jumped in, and buried himself.
He had never been an indecisive man, but in this matter, one wrong step led to a series of mistakes. He kept making them, one after another, until he was forced to reluctantly sacrifice his nation’s dignity.
It wasn’t too late to pull back now.
Considering the bigger picture, letting go was the right decision.
When Zeke Marshall was delivered to the door, everyone found it hard to believe. Before them stood a young man who was supposed to be the picture of boundless energy and youthful vigor.
He was terribly thin, looking like little more than skin stretched over a skeleton.
The sight was heartbreaking.
Nora Ainsworth’s eyes instantly welled with tears.
"Zeke..."
He broke into a wide smile. "Nora, it’s so good to see you. Where’s my sister?"
She embraced him. "She’s fine. She’s at home. We’ll all go back and see her together."
That evening, the whole group returned to Fravia.
They had originally planned to return the next day, but something unexpected had come up.
Their departure was rather hasty.
They were in such a hurry that it wasn’t until they arrived in Alveria that Nora Ainsworth called the preschool teacher to let her know they wouldn’t be coming back to school.
Elmer Grant complained, "Mommy, I didn’t get to say goodbye to Melody White."
Nora Ainsworth smiled. "I’ll just ask your teacher to tell her for you."
The whole family gathered at Ethan Ellsworth’s house.
Chloe Marshall had never felt happier than she did on this day.
When she saw Zeke Marshall’s condition, she couldn’t stop crying.
Zeke Marshall, in turn, comforted her. "Sis, you never used to be a crier. When did you become such a crybaby?"
"You little brat, I... I’m only crying because of you! Why did you have to run off like that? Wouldn’t it have been perfectly fine to just stay in Alveria?"
Although Zeke Marshall’s eyes were brimming with tears, he managed not to cry in front of her.
"Where’s my niece?"
Chloe Marshall quickly turned around. Dorothy was already standing right beside her.
"Uncle."
Zeke Marshall hugged her. "Aww, my Dorothy is all grown up, and this is the first time your uncle is meeting you."
"It’s okay. This is our first meeting, but we’ll have lots and lots of time together from now on. Uncle, you’re so skinny. Weren’t you getting enough to eat? We have lots of yummy food at our house. I’ll let you in on a secret." She leaned close to Zeke Marshall’s ear and whispered, "I have a secret stash of lots of snacks. In a little while, I’ll bring them all for you, so my uncle can eat until his tummy is big and full."
The tears Zeke Marshall had been desperately holding back finally burst forth, streaming down his face like a waterfall.
The others watching were also moved by the emotional scene.
Mrs. Ellsworth took out a handkerchief and dabbed the corners of her eyes. "Tonight is a joyous occasion. Quick, have the kitchen prepare a feast! We should all celebrate with a drink tonight. It hasn’t been easy for any of us."
Mr. Ellsworth added, "That’s right, that’s right. No more crying, everyone. The important thing is that he’s back safe and sound."
Quentin Grant handed the agreement he had signed with Lillian Bancroft to Chloe Marshall. "Take this to your room and look it over. Then, compare the handwriting to the letter that was sent last time."
Chloe Marshall nodded and took it to her room. After she opened the agreement and read through it, she felt a great sense of relief.
She then took out the previous letter and found that the two styles of handwriting were slightly different.
Even identical words were formed a little differently.
She put the documents away and said to Quentin Grant, "It wasn’t the same person, was it? The handwriting is very similar, but there are differences if you look closely."
Quentin Grant nodded. "The one I just gave you was written in his own hand."
Chloe Marshall understood immediately.
She said nothing more.
During the meal, the cheerful and harmonious atmosphere was brought to a halt by the arrival of people at the entrance.
All eyes turned to the main entrance.
The chatter ceased abruptly.
Mrs. and Mr. Ellsworth immediately stood up. "You’re here? Quick, come in and have a seat."
Mrs. Grant’s voice rose sharply. "My husband and I didn’t come here to sit on your couch. Quentin, you’ve been flying to Harrowin all this time just to see *her*? You..."
Mr. Grant cut her off. "Be quiet! Why are you here to cause a scene? What did you promise before we came? Quentin, you... to think you have two children who are this old and you never told the family. It’s outrageous."
Quentin Grant said nonchalantly, "I didn’t dare tell you. What if my mother decided to traffic them or kill them?"
Mr. Grant’s face hardened. "She wouldn’t dare! If she ever did something so depraved, we’d cast her out of the family ourselves!"
Mrs. Grant grew indignant. "Well, that depends on whether those two are even Quentin’s children! Whether they’re even part of the Grant family! Don’t tell me Nora Ainsworth was with some other man..."
