Lance noticed all the changes in Deanna.
Perhaps good moods are contagious, as his own mood improved significantly, with a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
Julia and the two little ones noticed the changes in the two of them, exchanging knowing glances and covering their mouths to stifle their laughter.
Before long, the boat stopped.
The group carried their luggage and checked into a quaint inn.
After a brief rest, they gathered in the inn's lobby and then went out for a stroll.
The ancient streets were bustling with people and filled with the sounds of vendors calling out, creating a lively atmosphere.
Deanna's group's high attractiveness drew a lot of attention.
However, they paid little mind to the gazes around them and continued enjoying themselves.
The two little ones, however, were troubled by the considerable distance between their mommy and Uncle Lance, enough to fit four or five people between them.
"Godmother, Mommy and Uncle aren't talking. Will they ever get along at this rate?" Chloe tugged on Julia's sleeve, voicing her concern.
Gregory frowned as well.
Julia, observing the situation, felt helpless.
She couldn't decide whether to blame her friend for being too dense or Lance for not seizing the opportunity.
For a moment, she was quite frustrated with both of them but remembered their goal.
"How about this? We'll separate from them for a while. I bet they'll have to talk to each other then!" Julia suggested.
The two little ones readily agreed.
Soon, they took advantage of Deanna and Lance's distraction and slipped into a nearby alley.
When Deanna realized it, she found that aside from Lance, her friend and the two children were nowhere to be seen.
"Where did they go?"
Deanna frowned, scanning the path they had come from, standing on tiptoe to look around.
Unfortunately, she couldn't spot Julia or the children in the crowd.
Lance seemed to understand something, a glint flashing in his eyes.
He looked at the frowning woman before him and suggested, "Why don't you call your friend and see where they are?"
Deanna glanced at him without speaking but obediently took out her phone to call her friend.
"Julia, where are you with Gregory and Chloe?"
"We're watching a monkey performance. The crowd was too much, and we got separated. Don't worry about us. You and Mr. Mercer go ahead and enjoy yourselves. We'll meet up at noon."
Julia hung up before Deanna could respond.
Deanna put down her phone, looking both amused and exasperated.
She understood her friend's intentions perfectly well. Thus, she felt a mix of frustration and helplessness.
Lance had been watching Deanna's expressions closely. Seeing her displeased face, he pretended not to notice and asked, "What did your friend say?"
"Nothing much. She's with Gregory and Chloe watching a monkey performance. We'll meet up later."
Deanna didn't hide anything and told him honestly.
Lance nodded.
After that, the atmosphere between them grew silent.
Deanna thought for a moment and then spoke up, "About that night, I misunderstood you. I'm really sorry."
"It's fine. I know you were worried about the kids."
Lance responded understandingly.
After he finished speaking, seeing that Deanna had nothing more to say, he invited her, "Shall we continue our stroll?"
"Sure." Deanna agreed and continued walking forward.
However, neither of them spoke along the way, making the atmosphere awkward.
It wasn't that Lance didn't want to talk; he was just afraid of upsetting Deanna, so he held back.
He quietly walked beside Deanna, ensuring she wasn't jostled by the crowd.
Of course, Deanna noticed his small gestures and felt a mix of emotions she couldn't quite describe.
They had been walking for some time when Deanna's phone suddenly rang. It was Kade calling.
"Kade, what's up?"
"Nothing much. My mother felt much better after taking your medicine. I wanted to ask if you're free today so I can treat you to a meal."
Kade invited her with a smile.
Deanna declined politely, "That's very kind of you, but there's no need for a meal. Besides, I'm not available right now."
"I insist on treating you. Don't be so polite."
Kade persisted and then asked why she wasn't available.
Deanna had no choice but to explain honestly, "I'm in Ancient Larkinge Town right now. I'll be here for two days before heading back."
"I see. The scenery there is quite nice. I visited before..." Before he could finish his sentence, Deanna's phone was snatched away.
She looked up in shock to see Lance hanging up with a dark expression on his face.
"Lance, what are you doing?" Deanna didn't understand his actions and reached out to grab her phone back. But Lance wasn't about to return it, especially as it started ringing again with Kade's call.
Deanna was furious, glaring at him angrily. "Give me back my phone!"