Chapter 77: Chapter 85

Angeline quickly reached out to support him, her voice hoarse as she spoke. “Please don’t be like this, Mr. Ziegler. You’re my elder.”

Edwin had been her father’s right-hand man when her father was alive. The former watched her grow up since she was young, and she remembered how kind he was to her.

After that, Edwin led her into the mansion. Along the way, he excitedly described the changes in the household to Angeline.

As she looked at the familiar mansion before her, the look in her eyes darkened and mixed feelings surged in her heart.

I’m finally home.

However, the place she grew up in seemed painfully unfamiliar to her now.

When they reached the entrance, Edwin looked at her with worry as he reminded her, “Ms. Joseline and Mr. Yiurk are here, Ms. Angeline. I’m afraid you—”

“It’s fine.” Angeline smiled slightly and comforted, “Mr. Ziegler, don’t worry. I am no longer the vulnerable little girl who needed protection. I know how to act accordingly.”

Upon hearing that, Edwin bobbed his head and opened the door for her. As he watched her step in calmly, tears rolled down his cheeks again.

Angeline’s current demeanor made Edwin’s heart clench, but above all, he was gratified. She finally set foot in the Sorelle residence again after so many years.

After keeping her emotions in check, Angeline peered in and saw a man in his sixties in the living room.

Despite his old age, he was still standing tall and straight, exuding an august air.

“You’re home?” Wilfred turned around to look at her. The dullness in his voice was evident, and he didn’t sound as excited as the first time they met.

“Yes.”

Angeline walked over. Before she sat on the couch, she straightened her skirt.

“I’ve asked the housekeepers to prepare your favorite snacks and drink. Do enjoy,” said Wilfred with a deep voice, gesturing at the table before him. He seemed listless, and the skin beneath his eyes was sunken, showing traces of exhaustion.

Angeline stared at the plate of fruits with an inexplicable look in her eyes. After moments of silence, she replied indifferently, “Thank you. Please just get to the point.”

Noticing her aloof attitude, Wilfred flew into a rage and slammed his cane on the marble floor.

“Do you think you’re all that? I can’t even get you to come back home for a meal!”

In response, Angeline looked up at Wilfred mockingly. “Grandpa, don’t you remember what happened in this living room in the past? Don’t you remember how you ruthlessly drove me out of the Sorelle residence?”

Wilfred stiffened upon hearing that.

Back then, when he found out that Angeline had gotten pregnant out of wedlock and tarnished the Sorelle family’s reputation, he lost control of himself and punished her with a whip right in front of the entire family and the housekeepers. After that, he sent Angeline, who was covered in injuries, to the countryside where medical resources were scarce.

He took a deep breath and fixed his gaze on Angeline. “I know you’ve resented me for all these years, but I only did what I had to for the sake of the Sorelle family.”

Angeline sneered inwardly. I knew it. He’ll never realize his mistakes, so it won’t make a difference no matter what I say.

After all, the purpose of her visit was merely to retrieve her stuff.

“If there’s nothing else, please excuse me.”

With that, Angeline got up from the couch and went up to the second floor. She reached the room in the corner and turned the door knob. With a click, the door creaked open.

A strong musty scent wafted out of the room coupled with a lot of dust. A coughing fit assailed her as she waved her hand to fan the air before her.

After a while, she carefully observed the room. Everything remained unchanged apart from the thick dust that settled after the room wasn’t cleaned for a long time.

Angeline rejoiced deep down and grabbed a ladder before climbing up to reach the inconspicuous gypsum board hidden above the wardrobe.

Using a hammer, she smashed it open, and a rolled-up object fell to the floor along with the broken gypsum.

Subsequently, she climbed down from the ladder and bent over to pick the object up. After unrolling it, she saw that it was indeed the title deed of the mansion at Willowbank.

That was the gift Angeline’s mother had prepared for her eighteenth birthday.

“Angel, you must keep this in a safe place and remember not to transfer it to others. When you get married, I’ll prepare a more generous dowry for you. Happy birthday, sweetheart!” Her mother’s affectionate tone echoed in her mind.

Angeline took a deep breath in an attempt to repress her sorrow.

After tidying up the place, she put the title deed in her bag and took it with her along with the trinkets her mother gifted her, for she never wanted to return to the residence anymore.

Moreover, she was determined to regain the shares of Sorelle Group that her parents had left for her which were misappropriated by Joseline.

After walking down the stairs, she walked straight to the door without even greeting Wilfred.

Wilfred bellowed, “Stop right there! Have you forgotten everything we’ve taught you? How can you leave without saying goodbye? Where are your manners?”

Angeline stopped in her tracks and turned around to regard the old man with disdain. “From the moment I was kicked out of the Sorelle residence, this place is no longer my home.”

The atmosphere became tense all of a sudden.

“You—” Wilfred was so infuriated that his face contorted. He clutched his chest and coughed severely.

Angeline looked at him and knitted her brows. She knew that Wilfred was suffering from pneumonia, but she didn’t expect it to be so severe.

Subconsciously, she approached to support Wilfred and stroked his chest to help him breathe.

“Somebody, help!” she yelled.

Not long after, a young housekeeper rushed over to help Wilfred take his medicine. The old man’s symptoms eased after he swallowed the pill.

Silently, Angeline took a glass of water from the table and handed it to him.

Wilfred took a sip of water and felt much better. Looking at Angeline, he fell into a daze.

Back when Angeline was a teenager, she took care of him in the same way. She would pour him a glass of warm water every day at mealtime and even learned to massage for his sake.

If that incident from five years ago hadn’t happened, he wouldn’t have treated Angeline so unkindly.

As his train of thought ended there, Wilfred sighed. His tone softened as he said, “Angeline, I’ve heard about your scandals. It’s not safe for you to live outside. You should move back here.”

Angeline remained silent, waiting for what he was about to say next.

“However, judging from the current situation, you are not qualified to hold the position of director in the company. You should transfer your shares to Joseline, and she’ll manage the company well,” Wilfred persuaded.

His indifferent words stung Angeline, causing the slightest bit of tenderness in her heart to dissipate.

She knew Wilfred had a hidden agenda to summon her back all of a sudden.

What a joke!

“No way!”

Angeline refused without hesitation, her tone frosty. “Did you forget that Joseline was exposed to be involved in a murder case at the wedding?”

Wilfred’s expression turned gloomier when he heard that. “Josie explained that she got set up.”

“You must have gotten foolish as you age.” Angeline snorted derisively.

Everything Joseline said is the truth to him!

“Why are you here?” At that moment, the overbearing voice of a female rang out, and Angeline recognized it almost immediately.