After exchanging contact information, Deanna planned to leave. Given the current situation, she couldn't force anything. Besides, the other party's son had already agreed to help with the investigation, so there was no point in staying.
Stepping out of the hospital, Deanna looked at the bright sun outside but felt inexplicably downcast. She thought that finding the person would lead to some progress, but she didn't expect this outcome. Sighing, she composed herself and called Landon.
The call connected quickly, and Landon's magnetic voice came through, "Did you get the information?"
"No," Deanna replied in a low voice. Sensing something was wrong, Landon quickly asked, "What happened?"
"Attorney Ferell got too emotional when I mentioned the past and fainted," Deanna explained.
"Is his condition that serious?" Landon was surprised after hearing her account.
Deanna confirmed with a hum and continued, "I'm planning to head back. Are you coming?"
"I haven't finished my business here yet. How about you come over and wait for me? We can go back together once I'm done," Landon suggested.
Deanna didn't want to trouble him further. "No need, I'll just call a cab."
"No way, I won't feel at ease if you go back alone," Landon retorted without hesitation.
But Deanna insisted, "There's nothing to worry about. I'm an adult; I won't get lost. Otherwise, I'll take the high-speed train back; it's safer than a cab."
She started checking train tickets on her phone. It was almost noon by then. Seeing the available tickets, she frowned. "Why are all the tickets so late?"
"What's wrong?" Landon asked, hearing her mutter.
Deanna didn't hide it. "I'm looking at high-speed train tickets. The earliest departure is at 4 PM, and it takes over three hours to get home. It'll be dark by then."
"In that case, you might as well wait for me," Landon suggested again.
Deanna raised an eyebrow. "So you can finish your business by 4 PM?"
"... No," came Landon's frustrated voice from the phone.
In the end, Landon had no choice but to agree. "Alright, go back by yourself but stay safe and contact me when you get home."
"I know," Deanna nodded and hung up.
Since there was still some time before the train departure, she decided to wander around nearby. By 4 PM, she headed to the train station.
After some hassle, Deanna finally got home around 7 or 8 PM. Old Ashley was surprised to see her back.
"Why are you back? Weren't you supposed to return tomorrow?"
"There was an unexpected situation, so I came back," Deanna said as she changed into slippers and sighed beside her grandmother.
Old Ashley understood immediately. "Did things not go well?" she asked worriedly.
Deanna nodded and briefly explained, "More or less. Attorney Ferell got sick and couldn't handle the stress. He fainted after just a few words."
Hearing this, Old Ashley fell silent, unsure what to say. After a moment, she spoke slowly, "So Attorney Ferell knows something."
"I think so too, but there's no evidence. We can only wait for Gaige Ferell's news," Deanna said.
Gaige Ferell was Attorney Ferell's son. Knowing that Attorney Ferell's condition wouldn't improve anytime soon, Deanna could only hope Gaige would find some useful information.
Old Ashley nodded and didn't say more. Then she asked with concern, "Are you hungry? You must be tired from the long trip."
"I'm fine. I rested on the train and bought dinner," Deanna said but suddenly felt something was off. The house was too quiet.
She had been home for quite a while but hadn't seen Gregory and Chloe come out to greet her. Were they asleep? But it wasn't their bedtime yet.
"Grandma, where are Gregory and Chloe?" she asked.
"Mr. Mercer took them home," Old Ashley replied while observing her granddaughter carefully.
Deanna was surprised. "Why did Mr. Mercer take them?"
Old Ashley smiled lightly and looked back at her. "Maybe he thought I didn't have enough energy to take care of two kids and help with their studies."
Even so, Deanna felt something was wrong. She had asked Julia to look after the kids; how did it end up being Lance?
Thinking about how dependent the kids were on Lance, she felt uneasy. "It's not good to keep troubling Mr. Mercer. I'll go get Gregory and Chloe back."
As she spoke, Deanna stood up from the sofa, ready to leave.
Old Ashley shook her head with a smile but didn't stop her.