Chapter 64

Chapter 64

"Why would Mr. Algernon Visconti suddenly arrange a marriage alliance with me? I suspect there might be something we don't know about." Quinlan said mysteriously.

Bianca quickly made the connection.

Seeing that Bianca had likely figured it out, Quinlan continued.

"I heard that Mr. Visconti was also at that hotel that night. Maybe there was some misunderstanding." Quinlan said with red eyes, looking aggrieved. "Unfortunately, I can't be sure I was the one that night—otherwise Indigo wouldn't have to live in such secrecy."

Indigo was her biological son—claiming she didn't feel sorry for him would be a lie.

Bianca cherished Indigo like a treasure.

"It's alright. We weren't planning on having other children anyway. With Indigo here, he can inherit the family business in the future." Bianca said with heartache.

However, this matter still needed to be discussed with Jasper.

Quinlan's face was full of worry.

"He's your father. After all these years, don't you trust him?" Bianca comforted her. "Besides, if we don't tell your father, he'll be hurt."

Under Bianca's reassurance, Quinlan reluctantly agreed.

In the study, Bianca gave Jasper a simplified version of Quinlan's story.

After hearing it, Jasper's face was full of fury.

"That ungrateful daughter!" He said through gritted teeth. "Priscilla did this deliberately, didn't she! Deliberately preventing us from becoming in-laws with the Visconti family?"

Heaven knew how long he'd looked forward to becoming the Visconti family's in-laws.

He'd even planned that after they married, he could use that connection to expand his business.

The Medici family would have joined the ranks of the major families, rising to unprecedented heights.

Bianca was equally frustrated.

"I'd even planned to naturally expand business overseas afterward. Now it's all ruined!" Jasper said, extremely agitated.

Bianca looked at him. "Now she's grown bold, refusing to come home. Father's confused and secretly helping her. I'm afraid she'll hold grudges against us and cause more trouble!"

"What trouble could she possibly cause!" Jasper dismissed it.

Just a girl raised in the countryside with no worldly experience. In a few years she'd marry and return home to be a dutiful wife and mother.

What major trouble could she cause?

Seeing Jasper getting angrier, Bianca finally stopped talking.

At that moment, Priscilla—who'd just arrived home—didn't realize she'd been accused of a crime.

Verity was already asleep. Kieran had just finished putting her to bed and emerged holding a picture book.

"Priscilla, you're back?" Kieran wore loungewear and looked noticeably more upright than before.

However, there was some worry between his brows.

Priscilla glanced at him. "You want to tell me something?"

Kieran hesitated, then nodded.

Priscilla changed into slippers at the entrance and hung her coat on the rack. "Let's talk on the balcony."

On the balcony, Kieran handed Priscilla his phone.

On the screen was a text from Dewdrop Village's chief, Ewan Fisher.

The content was simple—something had happened and he urgently needed Kieran to return.

"Priscilla, should we go back?" Kieran asked carefully.

He hadn't wanted to return, but after hearing about the situation when visiting Nash last time, Kieran still wanted to check.

After all, they'd given him life. If something really happened, he couldn't just let them die without help.

Priscilla looked at Kieran with complex emotions.

True, even though they hadn't wanted a daughter, the Ryders hadn't abandoned her.

In a place where girls rarely got educated, she'd at least always had books to read.

Ewan wasn't someone who likes to meddle in other people's affairs. If he'd sent word to Kieran, there must really be difficulties.

Priscilla thought for a moment. "I'll contact Mr. Fisher tomorrow first. Don't worry."

Seeing she had a plan, Kieran nodded slightly, finally reassured.

The next morning, after dropping Kieran and Verity at school, Priscilla immediately called Ewan.

Hearing the familiar voice, Ewan paused. "Lynn, is that you?"

"Yes." Priscilla's voice revealed no emotion. "I heard you called Kieran a few days ago. I'd like to understand the situation."

Ewan sighed. "You remember Paxton, right?"

"I do."

"He recently racked up debts outside. Those people came to the Anderson family threatening Ryder and them to pay up. If they couldn't pay, they'd take Paxton's life. Ryder tried to protect Paxton and got hit with a stick - broke his leg." Ewan's tone was full of feeling.

"These past days he couldn't afford medical treatment and has been dying at home. I really had no other option."

After hearing this, Priscilla showed little emotion.

Paxton had always been the spoiled one. As a child, Priscilla hadn't understood what spoiling meant—only comprehending it after growing up.

"Kieran and I have severed ties with the Anderson family. Ryder personally signed the agreement." Priscilla reminded him.

Ewan on the other end kept apologizing with an ingratiating laugh. "I know, I know. But they're living here in the village—I can't just ignore it, right?"

Knowing what Priscilla was struggling with, Ewan carefully added, "If you really don't want to, we won't mention it again. But Ryder didn't let you two starve to death. Coming back to visit—that's still necessary, right?"

"Fine. But I have one condition—if anything comes up, contact me. Don't contact Kieran." Priscilla's tone grew more displeased.

Though Ewan had helped considerably when they were young, Priscilla understood his nature.

He valued village unity above everything else.

There was still a week until the competition. Priscilla estimated handling these matters wouldn't take that long.

She'd make it in time.

After hanging up, Priscilla thought she should still bring Kieran along.

Tomorrow happened to be a rest day anyway.

When Kieran returned, Priscilla told him the arrangements.

"Thank you!" Kieran's eyes showed some joy.

After the brief joy came unspeakable guilt.

"I'm sorry. Am I too soft-hearted?" Kieran asked uneasily.

Priscilla shook her head. "No. This just shows you're a kind person. You just need to grasp the proper degree of kindness."

Bloodlines were the hardest bonds to sever.

Nash and Rhea had already arrived at Darren's hospital. Priscilla drove back with practiced ease, going directly to Ewan's home.

Though only four or five years had passed, Priscilla felt Ewan had somehow become so short now.

Completely different from before.

Not expecting Priscilla to return so quickly, and driving a car he'd never even seen before, Ewan was startled.

He adjusted his reading glasses, peering through the lenses uncertainly at Priscilla. "You... you're back?"

He glanced at Kieran behind Priscilla, full of emotion.