Chapter 215
As the night deepened, Cedrick’s ride finally stopped at Grandma’s courtyard gate.
But the gate was locked. Cedrick couldn’t get in.
He knocked. “Grandma? Grandma? It’s me, Cedrick. Open up. Are you home?”
No response.
He knocked again. “Grandma? It’s my birthday today. Didn’t you make me a birthday meal?”
“Grandma? Where did you go?”
“Grandma? Did you leave Cedrick too?”
Finally, he couldn’t hold himself up anymore. Leaning against the door, he slowly slid down to the ground and closed his eyes.
In the darkness, he seemed to see a starry sky. The woman who’d held his hand as he grew up, who’d loved him most, smiled amidst the starlight. “Cedrick, live well. Love yourself. Be happy. Grandma didn’t leave. She just moved somewhere else. Grandma will become a star. Always with you. Always watching over you. Don’t cry, silly Cedrick…”
“Grandma…” he murmured softly. Liquid trailed from the corner of his eye. “You all left… all left Cedrick behind. I
know…”
The village chief passed Grandma’s house at six in the morning.
As he walked by, he noticed someone at her courtyard gate?
It had rained all night. The ground was soaked everywhere. This person was not only drenched but sitting right in a puddle?
At first, he thought it was that good–for–nothing from the Jian family causing trouble again. But upon closer look- wasn’t that Cedrick?
And… was he asleep?
Looked like he’d been there all night?
He hurried over and patted Cedrick’s shoulder. “Mr. Maynard? Mr. Maynard? Mr. Maynard, wake up!”
Cedrick stirred awake, his head heavy. Something felt off. Suddenly seeing the village chief’s face looming before him, he jolted in shock. “Chief… I… this… you…”
How did he wake up to see the village chief?
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“Mr. Maynard, what are you doing here? Forget your keys?” The chief was utterly confused.
Cedrick looked around, finally realizing what had happened.
Fragments of memory began returning.
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Yesterday was his birthday. Maricela and the others had thrown him a party. He must’ve drunk too much. What hap- pened afterward? He couldn’t remember. Total blackout…
How did he end up at Grandma’s place?
But he couldn’t admit he’d been dead drunk. “Yeah,” he said instead, “forgot my keys. Thought I’d drop by to tidy up Grandma’s place when I had time.”
The village chief stared at him, murmuring, “Your grandma’s been gone a long while.”
That look–like the chief saw right through his lie.
“Chief… um…” Cedrick had never felt this flustered. “I… got company business. Gotta go…”
Any more words would just dig him deeper.
Yet halfway out, Cedrick spun around abruptly, blurting, “Chief-”
The chief smiled. “Mr. Cedrick, anything else I can help with?”
“Do you know…” The words caught in Cedrick’s throat. Asking others about his own grandma’s whereabouts?
But if he didn’t ask, who’d tell him? “Where… where did she go?”
The chief shook his head helplessly. “No idea. Been days!
No clue where she went. You…”
He’d almost said “You don’t know either?” But obviously Mr. Cedrick didn’t know!
Why else would he ask?
The chief bit back the words.
Cedrick forced a smile. “Thanks.”
That unspoken question? He knew it all too well.
Yeah, ridiculous.
Lucille’s abroad. Grandma’s missing.
His own family vanishes, he’s clueless, and he’s asking others? How absurd is that?
Blackout drunk last night. Now his car’s missing, can’t wait here for his driver. This utter mess of a state…
He called a ride. Only then did he see his last trip history: from Maricela’s apartment complex to Grandma’s house.
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Judging by the timestamp, he’d slept all night on Grandma’s doorstep….
He pinched his brow. Last night? Truly gone.
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Chapter 216