That evening, Deanna and Lance returned to the manor and discussed their trip to Uyrila.
"Daddy, Mommy, we want to go too."
The two little ones looked over with eager faces.
Deanna refused without hesitation, "No, you are still in school. Your studies can't be delayed, and Mommy and Daddy are going for business, not for fun. Taking you along would be inconvenient."
In truth, she didn't want to put the little ones in danger. After all, the main members of the Miller family had not been caught yet, and abroad, anything could happen.
Gregory and Chloe pouted unhappily at her refusal. They looked at Lance with hopeful eyes.
"Daddy."
Chloe pleaded with Lance, the unspoken meaning clear-they wanted to go and hoped Lance would speak up for them.
Deanna saw this and found their actions both amusing and exasperating. "Don't bother calling your daddy. He listens to me. I said you can't go, and that's final."
She shot a warning glance at Lance.
Lance shrugged helplessly at the little ones. "Your mommy is right. I listen to her, so you should too."
"Alas, Daddy is becoming more henpecked. He used to be so assertive," the little ones sighed and shook their heads, making Lance laugh.
These little rascals were trying to provoke him.
"Provoking me won't work. I won't contradict your mommy. So stay home and take care of your great-grandmother. When we return, we'll take you wherever you want to go."
Lance refused again but offered a sweet promise this time.
The little ones finally relented.
Old Ashley watched and reassured Deanna, "Go handle your business. Don't worry about home; I'll take care of everything."
"Thank you, Grandma. But you don't need to do much. I've already arranged with Samantha and Julia to look after Gregory and Chloe while we're away."
Deanna explained her arrangements.
Old Ashley nodded and then asked, "Is Miss Eula going with you?"
"I don't know; you'll have to ask Lance," Deanna replied, looking at Lance.
Lance frowned, "She shouldn't be coming with us. While we're away, you don't need to take special care of her. If she causes any trouble, have Sam inform me, and I'll arrange for her to stay elsewhere."
He gave a few instructions just in case.
Old Ashley nodded in understanding.
Later that evening, after some more conversation, everyone went to their rooms to rest.
Not long after, the two little ones came running to Deanna's room with their pillows, looking pitifully at Deanna and Lance.
"Daddy, Mommy, you're leaving tomorrow. Can we sleep with you tonight?"
"Come in," Deanna couldn't refuse their cuteness and her own feelings of guilt.
The little ones happily ran into the room with their pillows and climbed into bed, taking the middle spots.
"I want to sleep next to Daddy," Chloe said, placing her pillow beside Lance.
Gregory followed suit, placing his pillow next to Deanna's. "Then I'll sleep next to Mommy," he said with a shy smile.
They snuggled into the blankets and called for Deanna and Lance to join them.
"Daddy, Mommy, come on."
"Alright," Deanna and Lance replied with a smile and got into bed.
As the room lights dimmed to a warm glow, Deanna began telling the little ones a bedtime story. Lance watched from beside her, feeling a deep sense of warmth and satisfaction.
Meanwhile, Eula finally returned from her outing. She looked at the quiet living room; it was a common sight by now.
The Mercer family always went to bed early.
She glanced at a maid cleaning nearby and coldly instructed, "Bring me some supper later."
"Yes, Miss Eula," the maid nodded and went to the kitchen.
About ten minutes later, she brought a tray to Eula's room and knocked on the door.
"Come in," Eula said. The maid entered and placed the supper on the coffee table but didn't leave immediately. Instead, she reported, "Mr. Mercer and Missus returned from the hospital today. They said they are going to Uyrila tomorrow."
The maid had been bribed by Eula to act as her informant in the villa.
Eula paused her eating and frowned. "Did they say why they are going?"
"Missus and Mr. Mercer didn't specify," the maid replied honestly.
Eula was visibly displeased but said nothing more. After all, if Deanna and Lance didn't say anything, the maid couldn't overstep her bounds by asking.