Garrett's lips curled into a conspiratorial smile.
He spoke slowly, "Your mother is dead. One of her necklaces, part of her dowry, is still with me."
Deanna felt a pang of suspicion.
There must be something behind his sudden invitation.
Was this necklace just a fabrication to deceive her?
"Why should I believe you?" she asked, frowning and gripping her phone tightly.
"If you don't believe me, you can ask your grandmother. She will give you the answer. I've already sent the invitation by mail."
Garrett's expression was sinister, his eyes gleaming with triumph.
Deanna hung up the phone and rushed to Old Ashley's bedroom.
Old Ashley was humming a tune while mending a torn piece of clothing.
"Grandma, I need to ask you something," Deanna said directly as she entered the room.
Old Ashley paused her work and looked at her. "Deanna, go ahead."
Deanna's serious expression indicated the importance of her question.
"Garrett said my mother's dowry included a necklace. It's with him now. Is there such a necklace?"
Old Ashley nodded. "Yes, there was such a dowry. It was a gift from your grandfather to me when I was young. Later, when Olivia got married, I gave it to her."
Her face showed a hint of nostalgia as she spoke.
"When did he say you should go get it?"
Deanna clenched her fists. "Next Wednesday, on the day of Emily and Raphael's wedding."
Old Ashley's eyes narrowed with caution. "It could be a trap. When Olivia died, he didn't bring it up. Now he's using it to coerce you into attending the wedding. There must be some plot. You better not go; I'm afraid they might bully you."
At the wedding, Deanna might be humiliated.
Deanna shook her head. "It's okay. I'll just get the necklace and leave. I'll be careful and make sure no one sees me. It'll take me a short time; no one will humiliate me or bully me."
This necklace was the only keepsake from her mother.
It was very important to both her and her grandmother.
She had to retrieve it.
Old Ashley looked at her with concern. "Maybe you should just forget about it."
The necklace was important, but it was important that they lived a peaceful life as a family of four.
She no longer wanted Deanna to have any ties with the Jones family.
Deanna said firmly, "I've made up my mind, Grandma. You don't need to persuade me."
Old Ashley could only sigh and reluctantly remind her, "Then be careful in everything you do."
Deanna nodded, her expression calm and serene.
But inside, she wasn't as relaxed as she appeared.
On the day of the wedding, she would have to watch Raphael marry someone else.
Once childhood sweethearts, she had thought he would never betray her.
But without a word, he turned around and got engaged to someone else. It still mattered to her.
Well, it's been six years; it's time for a conclusion!
A week passed in the blink of an eye.
During this time, Deanna spent most of her days in the herb garden to soothe her mind.
She received a call from Old Hughes.
"Anna, if you have a stomachache, which acupuncture points should you target?"
She couldn't help but laugh. Old Hughes had called many times recently, asking about acupuncture points.
"Three inches below the neck and two inches below the navel," she answered helplessly.
Old Hughes continued to probe, "Why do these points relieve stomach pain? What are they called?"
"I don't know; my master taught me this way."
Previously, she had slipped up and let Old Hughes know she practiced ancient medical arts.
He kept asking questions, seemingly wanting to understand more about it.
She could only answer selectively.
Old Hughes didn't press further and changed the subject.
"Anna, how do you cultivate those rare herbs?"
She dodged the question. "Just using normal herb cultivation methods."
"What is their pharmacology?"
"I'm not sure; I just know which herb treats which illness."
Seeing that Old Hughes wanted to ask more, Deanna decided to end the conversation. "Old Hughes, let's talk later. I have something urgent to attend to."
These days, Old Hughes frequently probed about her herbs.
She was quite troubled by it.
Shaking her head, she continued watering the herbs.
Meanwhile, in Country F, Lance had been busy all week handling various official matters.
He rubbed his eyes and continued reviewing documents, making notes with his pen.
Xavier expressed concern. "Mr. Mercer, take a break. I'm worried about your health."
Lance waved him off. "I'm fine. This is the last document. The sooner I finish it, the sooner I can return home."
The medicine Deanna gave him was very effective.
Since taking it, his chest pain had ceased.
Especially after soaking in medicinal baths, he no longer suffered from insomnia and felt energetic the next day.
"Mr. Mercer, it seems Miss Jones' treatment is effective. Once we return home, we should continue with it," Xavier said with a smile, noting Lance's improvement.
Lance yawned without commenting further.
He hadn't rested much this week.
Moreover, his previous shoulder injury had weakened him significantly.
His body was starting to feel the strain.