The next morning, Deanna woke up with a hangover, feeling like her head was about to explode.
What made her even more ashamed was remembering her actions towards Lance the previous night. She wished she could dig a hole and bury herself, never to face anyone again.
She had called Lance a liar, and after he bit her, she acted like a kitten begging for petting, asking Lance to massage her.
"Drinking really causes trouble. I can never drink again, not even at home!"
Deanna lightly patted her cheeks, trying to cool down, but her face remained flushed.
At that moment, there was a knock on the door, followed by Lance's pleasant voice asking, "Dr. Deanna, are you awake?"
"I'm not awake, don't knock on the door!"
As soon as she said that, Deanna wished she could knock herself out.
How could she give such a stupid answer?
She quickly tried to salvage the situation, "I mean, I want to sleep a bit longer. You don't need to worry about me."
After saying that, she threw herself back onto the bed in despair, covering herself with the blanket as if that could help her escape from her foolishness.
Outside the door, Lance stood for a moment, looking at the door with a smile full of gentle affection.
He probably guessed Deanna's mood and understandingly said, "Then sleep a bit longer. I'll have someone keep some hangover soup and breakfast warm in the kitchen. You can eat when you get up."
But there was no response from the room.
Lance didn't mind and turned to go downstairs.
Downstairs, the two little ones and Old Ashley looked at him with a hint of confusion in their eyes.
"Uncle, where's Mommy?"
"Your mommy said she wants to sleep a bit longer. Let's have breakfast first, and then I'll take you to school."
Lance explained with a smile.
The two little ones didn't ask further and obediently started eating.
About half an hour later, the three of them bid farewell to Old Ashley and left the manor.
After seeing them off, Old Ashley looked up at the second floor where her granddaughter had yet to appear and went upstairs with a smile.
"Deanna, you can come out now. Mr. Mercer has taken Gregory and Chloe to school."
Clearly, Old Ashley didn't believe Lance's earlier excuse.
Soon, there were rustling sounds from inside the room.
The next second, the door opened from the inside. Deanna stood behind it with her hair down and smiled sheepishly, "Grandma."
Old Ashley shook her head with amusement, "Alright, I won't ask what happened last night. Go freshen up. After drinking so much last night, you must not be feeling well."
"Thank you, Grandma. You're the best."
Deanna happily hugged the old lady and then went to the bathroom.
A few minutes later, she had freshened up and went downstairs for breakfast.
During the meal, Old Ashley looked at her carefree demeanor and couldn't help but speak earnestly, "Although I said I wouldn't interfere in your personal feelings, you should know what to do. You can't keep things unclear with Mr. Mercer."
"I don't have anything unclear..."
Deanna wanted to defend herself but swallowed her words under her grandmother's knowing gaze.
Seeing this, Old Ashley continued, "I think Mr. Mercer is quite good and sincere. If you don't have feelings for him, you should make it clear to him so as not to waste his time."
Hearing this, Deanna felt wronged.
"Grandma, what do you mean I'm wasting his time? I just haven't made up my mind yet. And you know about my mother's death..."
Although her mother's death had nothing to do with Lance, she couldn't help but think that if she hadn't been involved in that incident, her mother wouldn't have died.
So she couldn't let it go or face her relationship with Lance properly.
Old Ashley understood this very well at this point.
She was silent for a few seconds before sighing again, "You don't need to blame yourself for your mother's death. It has nothing to do with Mr. Mercer. It was those beasts from the Jones family who forced your mother!"
"I know. One day, I'll make the Jones family pay!"
Deanna clenched her fists, her eyes filled with determination.
Old Ashley saw this and felt heartache.
She stepped forward and hugged Deanna gently, comforting her softly, "We will avenge your mother, but I don't want this matter to become a knot in your heart and make you miss out on your own happiness. I'm sure your mother would feel the same way."
Deanna quietly leaned into her grandmother's embrace without speaking, feeling very conflicted inside.
"Grandma, let me think about it some more."
Finally, she looked up at Old Ashley.
Old Ashley patted her back gently and said lovingly, "Alright then. Finish your meal. I'll go check on the herb garden."
Deanna nodded but sat alone in the dining room with little appetite.
At that moment, her phone rang. It was Old Hughes calling.