Deanna was persuading her grandmother while observing the servants around her. Unfortunately, she didn't notice anything unusual. Her grandmother's face looked slightly better after hearing Deanna's words, but she still wasn't reassured. "Since Lance hasn't been found, why did you come back from abroad?"
"I couldn't be of much help abroad, so I thought it would be better to return and help manage the company. I didn't expect someone to target me."
Deanna's face darkened as she spoke. Old Ashley didn't look much better either. Suddenly, she seemed to think of something and grabbed Deanna's hand in panic. "Do you think if they can't achieve their goal with you, they might target Gregory and Chloe?"
This reminded Deanna, and worry appeared on her face. Just then, Shannon walked in from behind and said, "Missus, don't worry. Since the last incident, the boss has arranged for my sister to protect Master Gregory and Miss Chloe. There are also bodyguards arranged at their school, so there won't be any opportunities for the enemy."
Hearing this, Deanna finally felt relieved. She was about to ask what other arrangements Lance had in mind when Shannon spoke first.
"Missus, Xavier just contacted me, asking if you have time. He has something important to report."
Something important? Could it be about Lance?
Deanna pondered for a few seconds and then instructed, "Tell him I have time."
After speaking, she turned to her grandmother. "Grandma, I need to take care of something. I'll come back to keep you company later."
"Go ahead. By the way, think about how you're going to explain the news to Gregory and Chloe. They're young, but this matter seems quite serious. They'll definitely ask you about it tonight."
Her grandmother gave a couple of reminders. Deanna nodded, indicating she understood.
As she went upstairs, her phone rang. It was Lance, who had been 'missing' for several days. She raised an eyebrow but didn't answer immediately, hesitating slightly.
She wasn't sure if she should take the call, fearing that her expression might reveal something and jeopardize Lance's plans if she was being watched.
Shannon, following behind her, noticed her hesitation and smiled reassuringly. "Missus, go ahead and answer the call. All the spies in the manor have been removed. However, you'll need to act as if the boss is still in trouble afterward."
"I understand."
Deanna nodded and took the incessantly ringing phone into her room. After closing the door, she answered the call but remained silent.
Lance sensed the silence on the other end and knew Deanna was upset.
"Why aren't you saying anything?" he broke the silence.
Deanna huffed softly in displeasure. "I thought you weren't going to contact me at all."
"How could I? I think about hearing your voice every day. If it weren't for the unresolved issues here, I'd want to come back and hold you. It's been almost a month since I last saw you."
Lance's deep, magnetic voice softened Deanna's annoyance slightly, but she was still a bit angry. "If I'd known you were pretending to be in trouble, I wouldn't have gone looking for you. That way, Nightingale and the bodyguards you gave me wouldn't have suffered losses."
"Deanna, it's not like that. The methods of those hidden families are more despicable than we imagined. If you hadn't come looking for me, they might have suspected whether my trouble was real or not. I didn't expect them to have a backup plan and target you as well."
Lance's voice turned cold towards the end.
Seeing him bring up this matter voluntarily, Deanna's voice softened with apology. "I'm sorry about Mercer Group. I discussed it with Gramp today. I want to compensate Mercer Group for their losses this time, but we might not have enough money right now, so I plan to do it over several years."
"My grandfather probably didn't agree to that."
Lance chuckled.
Deanna didn't deny it. "Logan and Gramp indeed didn't agree, but I intend to stick to it."
Although no one blamed her, she still felt responsible.
Lance understood Deanna's feelings and didn't refuse her like his father did.
"If you want to compensate them, then do it your way. After all, what's mine is yours; it's just moving money from one pocket to another."
"Lance, I'm talking seriously!"
Deanna said helplessly.
Lance responded indulgently, "I know, and I'm answering you seriously."
Hearing this, Deanna felt she couldn't continue this topic and decided to change the subject by asking about Lance's plans abroad.
"When are you and my master planning to take action? Gregory and Chloe's birthday is in half a month. If you're not back by then, they'll definitely suspect something given how smart they are. I won't know how to explain it to them."