Chapter 527: Meant for me

"Wow, Grandma, how can you be this energetic?! You’re amazing!"

"Haha! You little boy! You flatter me!"

"But I’m telling the truth! Grandma, what kind of food do you eat? I think I should add them to my diet!"

"Hahaha!"

The lively voices from the courtyard were the first thing that struck Dean’s ears as he approached. But when he stepped out and saw who was there, he froze. His eyes first landed on Old Mrs. Pierson, fully geared up for a morning workout. Beside her was the charming Slater Bennet, showering her with compliments.

Slater was complimenting Old Mrs. Pierson so much that anyone listening would wonder if he was serious. It sounded ridiculous, and one would think he was being insincere. Yet, Old Mrs. Pierson was laughing heartily as if she didn’t mind at all.

It was a sight Dean had never seen before.

It made him realize that his grandmother wasn’t always strict; she was only strict with her own family—except Zoren and a few others.

"Young Master Dean," Butler Hubert called quietly, panting a little as he rushed to catch up. Once he regained his composure, he straightened his back and glanced at the people in the courtyard. He sighed, frowning as he turned to Dean. "Young Master Dean, Old Mrs. Pierson is with an important guest. Please, come and follow me to the drawing room."

"Otherwise, the Old Madam might scold me again?" Dean guessed, casting Butler Hubert a sharp look. "What’s new about that, Butler Hubert?"

"Young Master Dean," Butler Hubert pressed his lips, wanting to scold him first. If Zoren was stubborn, Dean was twice as much. The only difference between them was that Zoren wouldn’t purposely anger his grandmother; he often thought of her health. As for Dean, he didn’t care.

"Grandma, let’s do this..." Slater, who was happily helping Old Mrs. Pierson maintain her health, trailed off as he slowly shifted his eyes to the entrance, furrowing his brows.

Noticing Slater’s abrupt stop, Old Mrs. Pierson followed his gaze. When her eyes landed on Butler Hubert and Dean, her lips quickly curved down.

"Dean Pierson," Old Mrs. Pierson called with displeasure. "What are you doing here? Butler Hubert, didn’t I say I’d meet him later? Why did you bring him here?"

Butler Hubert gave the Old Madam a conflicted look. "I’m sorry, Old Madam."

"Grandma, why are you chasing me out again?" Dean remarked indifferently. "Please don’t blame Butler Hubert. He did take me to the drawing room, but I was stubborn and didn’t listen."

"Hmph! Of course, you didn’t!" Old Mrs. Pierson was clearly not pleased, waving them off dismissively. "Take him and go. Visit me some other time."

Dean’s mouth twisted, unsurprised by such treatment. Butler Hubert, on the other hand, sighed heavily before facing Dean.

"Young Master Dean," Butler Hubert called quietly. "I’m sorry about that. Please understand the Old Madam. Please follow me."

Dean raised his brows briefly and nodded in understanding. He turned to follow Butler Hubert, only to stop when Slater spoke.

"Grandma, being angry isn’t good for the heart!" Slater happily jumped to Old Mrs. Pierson’s side like a little prince coaxing the queen. "Isn’t he your grandson as well? He might have something important to say! Let’s hear it!"

"Let?" Dean muttered under his breath, darting his eyes between the two.

Old Mrs. Pierson gazed at the innocent Slater and sighed. She reached out and ruffled his soft hair.

"What a good child," she murmured, and that simple remark changed her mind completely. She cast Butler Hubert a look, nodding slightly to give him her approval.

Butler Hubert didn’t say anything in return and simply lowered his head.

***

Since Old Mrs. Pierson had already ordered breakfast for Slater and herself, the servants only had to add another seat for Dean. In no time, the three of them sat around the garden table where the meal was prepared.

Glancing at the food before him, Dean was almost amused. Old Mrs. Pierson had never extended such courtesy to him during his visits. She wouldn’t even offer him anything if not for Butler Hubert’s attempts to lessen the strife in their relationship.

"Wow..." Slater was in awe, oblivious to the tension between Old Mrs. Pierson and Dean. He ogled the food before him, almost salivating as it all looked appetizing.

"Hehe. You should eat plenty, child," Old Mrs. Pierson urged Slater kindly. "Everything here is prepared just for you, so I hope you enjoy it."

Slater beamed. "Grandma, you’re the best! You should eat plenty too. Everything looks delicious and nutritious. If I keep coming over, my manager will be crying over my weight gain."

"Haist! You’re already too thin! Does your manager want to starve you?"

"Hehe. Grandma, I know, right?" Slater sighed, making the innocent James, who was busy handling his affairs, sneeze hard. "Don’t worry, Grandma. Since you prepared all of this, I’ll make sure to eat well!"

"No dieting!" she insisted with a wag of her finger.

"Yes, no dieting!" Slater repeated, and the two of them giggled together happily.

Meanwhile, Dean, seated at the same table, simply watched this unfold before his eyes. A dry laugh escaped him as he ran his tongue across his cheek.

First, it was Penny who got dragged into Zoren’s business—or rather, she squeezed herself into it. Despite his constant warnings, not only did she ignore them, but she also sent her brother in here.

What did Slater hope to gain by doing this?

’Right...’Dean thought. ’This guy was attacked, and he probably won’t work until things settle down. But of all the places to kill time, he chose this one.’

But how?

How did Slater get to know Old Mrs. Pierson? Recalling the time Dean caught Penny and Zoren in the car leaving the old residence, he had a few guesses about how their relationship evolved so quickly. It didn’t please him—not even a tiny bit.

"You should eat too!" Slater’s lively voice snapped Dean out of his thoughts, making him lift his gaze. "It’s so early, and you look a little pale. Don’t worry. I’m sure this breakfast is nice..."

Slater trailed off as his eyelids drooped, a smirk of mockery flickering in his eyes. "... as it was meant for me."