Chapter 28: Chapter 28

Chapter 28

Maria thought, ‘Weird. Frank is acting so odd. He didn’t tease me when I touched him. He even waited for me in the living room. It isn’t the Frank that I remember. Hold on. Is it because he realizes it’s impolite to be so distant?

Maria shook her head to ditch such a thought. Then, she murmured to herself, ‘How could that be possible?‘

When Maria was lost in her thoughts, Frank had left the courtyard and did not seem to wait for Maria.

Spotting Frank walking ahead, Maria stopped her wondering and hurriedly chased after him.

She was scared to lose Frank since he was her GPS now.

However, Maria did not dare to walk too close to Frank and maintained a distance behind him.

She stared at Frank with confusion and failed to find out why he did that.

When they reached the living room in the main house, Maria suddenly realized it was already afternoon. She thought, ‘Will Basil be mad at me because I took a long nap and didn’t have lunch with him?‘

She anxiously stepped inside and discovered a dining table arranged in the center. Basil and Frank were talking at the table.

Seeing Maria walk over, Basil smiled and waved at her, saying, “Maria, come over and have a seat. Lunch is served.”

Maria lowered her head and walked to Basil, nervously greeting, “Good afternoon, Mr. Johnston.”

She wanted to be distant from Frank, so she chose to sit next to Basil.

Basil smiled and looked at Maria. His smile grew when he noticed Maria’s blushes. He said, “You must be hungry. Enjoy yourself. Haha. Being young parents is a good thing to some extent.” As he spoke, he picked up a dish and put some food onto Maria’s plate.

Maria was stunned, and her expression changed. She thought, ‘Being young parents?‘

She stared at Frank, who remained emotionless, and wondered, ‘What did he say to Basil?‘

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Chapter 28

Frank glanced at Maria and noticed she was shocked. He coughed to clear his throat and changed Basil’s attention. Then, he said, “Grandpa, we’re leaving to visit the Greenwood family after lunch.”

“Sounds good. Right. I can give you some presents for the visit. Your father sent them here days ago. All are good stuff. Sadly, I don’t eat them.”

Frank replied, “You can keep those presents. I’ll go to the mall with Maria later.”

Basil glanced at Frank and argued, “Those presents will go bad if they linger in my place. Just give them to Maria’s father. He’d likely appreciate them.” He signaled Chloe, who was standing nearby, and instructed her, “Chloe, take those presents to Frank’s car.

Chloe replied, “No problem.” Then, she went to move the presents.

Frank did not argue further. Maria could not join the conversation, either. She lowered her head and ate her food.

After lunch, Maria said goodbye to Basil and set off to the Greenwood family.

Before starting the engine, Frank dialed Gerald Greenwood, Maria’s father, and informed him that he and Maria would be dropping by for a visit.

Gerald and Vanessa Greenwood were eager to see Frank. Vanessa was Gerald’s second wife, Nina’s mother.

Maria only had a home before she was five.

Gerald divorced Rebecca, Maria’s mother, when Maria was five. The court awarded custody to Rebecca. Since then, Maria lived a miserable life.

Maria could visit her father regularly, but his house was no longer her home. She had nothing to say to him but to ask for child support every time she visited him.

ria calmly stared outside the window, appreciating the scenery going backward. She opened her eyes wide when she spotted a big cross sign, hurriedly shouting, “Stop the

car!”

Hearing Maria’s request, Frank slowly pulled over his black Maybach.

He stopped the engine and turned to Maria. He saw her unbuckle her safety belt and get out of the car.

“I’ll be right back.” She threw a sentence to Frank and hurriedly rushed toward the cross sign.

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