However, nobody answered her calls. She couldnât find Jacinta anywhere, even after scouring the study and the bathroom.Has Granny left? But how is that possible?Winnieâs room door had been left wide open while she was conversing with Josiah, and she had been alert to any movements outside the whole time.She would have known if Jacinta had gone out or switched rooms through the sound of opening and closing doors.Since there were no sounds, Granny must still be in the house somewhere.Winnie gave it some thought before she strode back toward Jacintaâs room.She shut the door and found Jacinta behind it.Jacinta had always brought her to hide behind a door whenever there was danger back when she was young.Back then, the village wasnât a safe place to be as robberies frequently occurred, especially during winter.Jacinta would carry a pole in one hand, shield Winnie behind her with the other, and hide behind a door whenever she thought a robbery was going to occur.Indeed, her grandmother was hiding behind the door, just like she used to.Her gaze was empty as she stood plastered against the wall. She didnât give a response even after Winnie found her there.Winnieâs heart ached for her as she grabbed the latterâs hand in an attempt to lead her out from behind the door.However, Jacinta didnât budge an inch.âGranny, come on out so you can sleep. Weâre safe here. Why are you hiding behind the door? Why didnât you answer me when I called for you just now?â asked Winnie.Nevertheless, Jacinta kept silent.Winnie tried everything she could to get Jacinta to talk in the next hour, but Jacinta refused. It was as if Jacinta had turned into a puppet as she stared listlessly into space.Winnie kept her company the entire time as pin-drop silence ensued in the room.It wasnât until Winnie received a message from Josiah that the soft vibration of receiving a notification broke the silence.Winnie immediately pulled her phone out to check.The results of the substance identification test for the two soil samples were out.The soil composition, pH value and microorganisms found in the two soils were the same.Winnie clenched her fist tight and closed her eyes as sorrow filled her heart after reading the report.After a long while, she crouched down in front of Jacinta.âGranny, I need to ask you something. A few days ago, a flowerpot nearly hit Xavier on the head while he was heading out. Was it you who pushed the pot down? Did you do it intentionally, or was it an accident?
Who put you up to this if it was intentional?â She looked up at Jacinta and implored.Still, Jacinta remained silent, her gaze distant and empty.Her response filled Winnieâs heart with sorrow and disappointment. âGranny, are you trying to cover up for someone with your silence? I beg you to say something, please!âWinnie stared at Jacinta for a long while as Jacinta kept silent.It wasnât until tears welled up in her eyes that she stood up from her crouched position.âOkay, Granny. Get some rest if you donât want to talk. Iâll hold on to your phone in the meantime.âJacinta didnât even glance in her direction when Winnie took her phone away.Winnie didnât say anything anymore as she helped Jacinta to lie down. Worried about Jacintaâs health, she then lay herself down on a reclining chair to keep an eye out for her grandmother.After going through Jacintaâs phone and coming up with nothing, she messaged Xavier to inform him of her findings that night.She received a reply from Xavier not long after: Iâve told your brother about it. He understands our current predicament, and heâll be able to handle things alone, so Iâll return once I wrap up the things I have on hand. You can stay by Grannyâs side for the time being. Things can wait till I get back.Winnie frowned and gave Jacinta a look after reading Xavierâs text message.She replied: I wonât be waiting for you. You can go at your own pace. Grannyâs not feeling well right now and hasnât spoken a word to me since. I donât know what sheâs thinking or if sheâs just ignoring me. I have a feeling sheâs trying to cover for Stuart and might even take the blame for him.
She loves her kids too much, just like she used to love me. Stuart is a b*stard. If he really cared for Granny and thought of her as his mother, he wouldnât have put her up to this. Granny must realize her mistakes. I canât let Stuart use her like this.Xavier: Okay. Consult Josiah if you need advice. Iâll wrap things up as soon as possible.Winnie received another message from Josiah the moment she finished reading Xavierâs text message.Josiah texted: Still no response from your grandmother? Iâve sent my people over to keep an eye on Stuart. He still hasnât done anything suspicious at the moment, so it looks like he still has no idea about our progress.Winnie: Yes. Granny wonât talk or even look me in the eye.Josiah: What happened? Did you confront her about the flowerpot incident? Is she mad at you?
Winnie: Maybe. I donât know what sheâs thinking, but Iâm most worried about her taking the blame for Stuart. She might not have contacted Stuart until now for fear that I might get the dirt on him.Josiah gave it some thought before he replied: If thatâs the case, it would be hard for us to convict Stuart of his crimes. Thereâs nothing much we can do if Mdm. Sumner insists that it was an accident, even if we knew she was the culprit. She would be charged with civil liability at most since no one was hurt in the process. The only incident we can use to establish a case is the big fire at the Fairchild residence. But all the evidence was destroyed in the fire long ago. Winnie, I donât think Stuart will stop until Xavier is dead. Try to talk your way through to Mdm. Sumner again when her mood improves. Ask her about Stuartâs next move so we can plan ours. Or else Stuart might get away with this scot-free.Winnie: I donât want Stuart to get away with this as well. Iâll try my best with Granny, but no promises. I have Grannyâs phone with me right now, so Iâll be the first to know when Stuart contacts her.Josiah: Okay.
Get someone else to look after Mdm. Sumner tomorrow. I need to meet up with you to discuss something important. Thereâs something else going on.Winnie: What is it? Tell me.That same night, Winnie called Mary over from Lagune Mansion.Jacinta and Mary had gotten to know each other since Winnie had brought Jacinta to stay over at Lagune Mansion for a brief while back when she was still playing dumb.Hence, Winnie left Jacinta in Maryâs care while she went to meet up with Josiah.