Chapter 449 An Unexpected Guest

I quickly got dressed and headed downstairs. Atlas also woke up and looked at me, but I gestured to him, saying, “Go back to sleep.”

I wondered who could be at the door and why they pressed the doorbell so frantically early in the morning. It made me uneasy, and I hoped nothing bad had happened.

Unexpectedly, I saw Grace through the peephole and quickly understood what was happening.

After some thought, I opened the door. Grace hurried in and angrily pushed me aside when she saw me. I could do nothing besides shaking my head in resignation.

Once inside, Grace scolded me, “You lied to me! You promised to let me see Ava, but where is she?

She’s my granddaughter and has the Murphys’ blood in her veins. Why won't you let me see her?!”

I gazed at her and realized she had the Murphy family trait of yelling. However, I gave her space to vent because she was the most pitiful member of the family but also cared dearly for Ava.

“Tell your daughter to come down, or I'll go upstairs. You're so carefree living in this luxurious apartment, and it’s all thanks to my son. It's unfair that you have a place like this to yourself. Why won't you let me see her?!”

I closed the door and returned to the living room to pour her some water. I said calmly, “Have a seat.

Here, drink some water first.”

“Don't try to fool me. Where's Ava?!” She turned to head upstairs.

Immediately after, I replied, “She’s not home. She went to Celestis Island and won't be home for a while.”

Grace froze, looking skeptical. “Celestis Island? Why is she there?”

“I don't go back on my word. Since I agreed to let you see Ava, I won't hide her from you. Stop being a skeptic. I still want to thank you for caring about Ava, no matter what. I won't stoop to your level. I'll call you when she returns, and you can visit her then.”

I was composed as I spoke. Grace impressed me by coming so far so early in the morning. I wondered how she persuaded the security to let her in.

“Stop trying to fucking deceive me with your pretenses. You're not a good person either—”

I could no longer stand her shamelessness and cut her off, “ Don't make a scene in my house! You know how well I treat you! Is this how all the Murphys are? Can't you communicate without cussing?!”

Grace shook her head as if to say something, but I didn't let her speak. “I respect you because you're Ava’s grandmother. I don’t want my daughter to have regrets, but I'll never feel sorry for you again if you don’t behave. I'll make sure you never see her again.”

I wasn't trying to scare her. However, I felt conflicted because I didn't want Ava to turn out like the Murphys.

“Whenever you visit her, she gets upset for a week. Then, I have to spend all week consoling her. Have you ever considered that? How is it my fault for not letting her get close to you? It’s because you behave so poorly.”

"—"

“What? None of the Murphys have manners. You all love cursing so much and are full of negativity. Do you think I would let you have more contact with Ava? I fear she might end up as uncultured as you.”

My words were harsh and unpleasant, but I had to draw a line because she mistook my kindness for weakness.

“I sent her to Celestis Island because she’s unhappy. It has nothing to do with whether or not you visit her. Don’t vent your pent-up frustrations on me. I'm not your punching bag!

“I feel sorry for you because you're old and unhappy. !'ll revoke your visits if you continue to cause a scene in my house. Don't you remember what Ava told you when you last saw her? Do you want me to remind you?!”