Upon hearing his fiancée's words, Lance naturally walked over, took her hand, and led her to the chair opposite Eula. He then slowly began to recount their previous conversation.
"We were discussing compensation."
"Have you come to an agreement?" Deanna asked, feigning ignorance.
Lance glanced at Eula and repeated the conditions he had proposed earlier. "What do you think?" he asked.
Deanna, not wanting to undermine her man, smiled and said, "I think it's acceptable."
She then looked at Eula with genuine sincerity. "Gregory and Chloe are good kids and very responsible. If they knew you saved their father, they would respect you greatly."
Who needs respect from those little brats! Eula thought to herself but dared not say it out loud.
Forcing a smile, she weakly said, "I'm a bit tired and would like to rest."
"Then rest well. If you feel unwell, have the servants call Dr. Cohen," Lance advised. Seeing that Eula indeed looked unwell, he gave a few more instructions before leaving with Deanna.
As the two thoughtfully closed the door behind them, Eula's face darkened. The jealousy she had been suppressing overwhelmed her rationality.
Ignoring her injuries, she grabbed the pillow behind her and began to beat it furiously.
Why? Why had she done so much, yet Lance felt nothing more than friendship for her?
"Lance, you are mine. Mine! I will never let you go!" Her nearly hysterical voice echoed in the room.
Unaware of this, Deanna and Lance headed to the dining room downstairs.
On the way, Lance held Deanna's hand and apologized, "Do you blame me for making decisions on my own and acknowledging Gregory and Chloe?"
"Of course not. If I had opposed it, I wouldn't have said what I did in the room," Deanna replied with a gentle smile. "Besides, Miss Eula saved your life but lost the ability to become a mother. As a woman, I understand what that means. Even though Miss Eula is strong, she can't avoid such a major life event. We owe her for what we've done."
Her words were sincere. Although she disliked Eula's coveting of her fiancé, she was genuinely grateful for Eula's life-saving act.
Lance agreed with Deanna's sentiments. Seeing the seriousness on her face, he reassured her, "It's okay. If we owe her, we'll find a way to make it up."
As they spoke, they arrived at the dining room where a simple meal had been prepared.
Deanna accompanied Lance as they ate and discussed their plans. She missed Gregory and Chloe dearly after not seeing them for a week. "Since Miss Eula is awake, let's have Samantha bring Gregory and Chloe over later so we can have a family meal together."
"Sure. I'll need to head back to the office soon; otherwise, I might not make it back tonight," Lance agreed, quickening his pace as he ate.
That evening, the manor was livelier than ever.
The two little ones were ecstatic to see Lance, circling around him excitedly.
"Daddy, you're finally back!"
"Daddy, I missed you so much."
The two children expressed their longing in soft voices.
Holding one in each arm, Lance responded gently, "Daddy missed you too."
Watching the affectionate scene between father and children, Samantha and Deanna smiled happily from the side.
Nothing was more joyous than a family reunion.
After some laughter and chatter, Samantha and Logan remembered their main purpose.
Samantha started the conversation. "Deanna, I heard from Lance that he was able to return safely thanks to a foreign partner who even got seriously injured and is recuperating here. Logan and I would like to thank her personally. When would be a good time?"
"I'll ask someone to check," Deanna replied without surprise.
She called Sam over and asked him to go upstairs and inquire.
Soon after, Sam returned with a smile. "Missus, Miss Eula said she's available anytime."
"Great. Let's go now," Samantha decided before Deanna could respond.
Deanna naturally had no objections.
At this point, the two little ones chimed in, "Grandma, can we go too? My sister and I want to thank that lady."
"Of course," Samantha replied with a smile. She took the prepared gifts and signaled for Deanna and Lance to lead the way.
Deanna and Lance did not refuse and led the group upstairs.
In her room, Eula nervously checked her appearance upon learning that Lance's parents wanted to meet her.
This was her first time meeting Lance's parents, and she didn't want to leave a bad impression.