Chapter 499 499

Chapter 499 499
She'd called her grandma a couple of times, but each time Grandma just said that Jenson and Rebecca were too caught up worrying about Luke in the hospital and the company to even bother with her. Elena never expected that so much had happened behind her back. And Damon hadn't told her a thing.
"I just didn't want you to worry, so I kept it to myself while you were abroad." Damon's voice was gentle, almost apologetic.
Elena didn't blame him for it. If anything, she was grateful. When she hadn't been able to be there for her grandma, Damon had stepped up. She meant it when she said, “Thank you." Then she added, “Get some rest, okay? Call me if you need anything."
"Alright,” he replied.
After leaving Damon's villa, Elena got in her car and headed straight to Lakeview Town. As she drove, she pulled up the security footage from before her trip to France on her phone. She'd installed cameras in every corner, inside and out, so she could clearly see and hear everything that happened when Jenson and Rebecca showed up. Watching the footage, she saw them actually raise their hands against her grandmother. Even through the screen, Elena felt her anger spike. She wanted to tear them apart.
How could they stoop so low, all for a few company shares? They'd gone so far as to hurt her grandma. Damon had shown them mercy by not beating them half to death. If Elena had been there, she wouldn't have let them off so easily.
By the time Elena drove into the countryside, the sun was just setting. Smoke from the evening cooking drifted up from the chimneys, curling through the warm orange light that spread across the rooftops. The whole village felt wrapped in the gentle glow of home.
She hadn't called to say she was coming. Mrs. Walsh was outside, practicing walking with her cane. She'd been working on her strength every day, and it showed -her steps were steadier, her movements more agile.
When she saw Elena, she blinked in surprise, then called out softly, "Lena?"
Ever since Elena had gone back to the Holmes family, Mrs. Walsh had felt lonelier and lonelier. She missed her little Lena, dreamt about her at night, remembered the days when Elena was just a child. As Elena grew up, life only got busier.
Getting old meant you spent more time thinking, she mused quietly to herself.
Elena hurried over and gently supported her. "Grandma, I'm so sorry I haven't been back sooner. Work's been crazy."
Mrs. Walsh came back to herself and immediately smiled, her eyes shining. "Lena, I'm fine. Have you lost weight again? Don't let work wear you out.”
Honestly, no matter when she saw Elena, she always thought the girl looked thinner.
Elena grinned. “Grandma, have I ever looked anything but skinny? If anyone's losing weight, it's you."
It was true. Mrs. Walsh had lost a bit more weight, and seeing it made Elena's heart ache.
Mrs. Walsh just laughed, waving off her concern. "At my age, I can't afford to be too heavy. That's when the sickness come knocking feel sharper this way."
Elena guided her gently back inside, then, almost on impulse, said, "Grandma, why don't you come live with me in the Capital?"
Mrs. Walsh paused, leaning on her cane, then shook her head. “No, I'm used to it here. If I moved to the city, I doubt I'd sleep well.”
She'd lived in this little village for decades. The thought of moving to the bustling city made her uneasy.
Elena helped her into a chair, her voice softening. "I know you love it here, Grandma. But if Grandpa were watching from above, , I think he'd want you to b
e happy, not lonely.