Chapter 316

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Joel’s question hung in the air as Fabian remained silent, a subtle understanding flashing across Joel’s face. “Mr. Evans, if you already know, then why still go through with the meeting?”

At first, Fabian had not suspected Zane’s involvement. It wasn’t until the meeting time and location were set with Jeremy that Fabian began to find the arrangement suspicious.

The Murphy Family was too prominent in Sivro to be this short–sighted or naive.

Choosing such a moment and such a distant location made no sense unless there was more to it.

The timing was too perfect, coinciding with Elysia’s school dismissal, and the café was far enough to make a simple meeting feel like an inconvenient detour.

The connection, once made, was obvious. Fabian thought it through and immediately understood.

“This is Zane’s gift to me,” Fabian said, his voice dry with a hint of amusement. “Why would I refuse?”

“But Mr. Evans,” Joel persisted, “you said Mr. Murphy doesn’t really want to discuss business. Why would Mr. Hartley go through all this effort? What’s his purpose? And a gift?”

Fabian’s gaze turned distant. “The Murphy Family has much interest in the western district plot and doesn’t want to sell it out.

Through the meeting, Zane provided an opportunity. If I go through with this, the outcome could be uncertain.”

Joel, confused by the deeper implication, switched tracks. “But why would Mr. Hartley do all this?”

Fabian didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he lifted his eyes, staring out the window, seemingly lost in thought. Joel’s mind raced. “You mean Ms. Evans?”

“Smart boy.” Fabian lowered his head and continued, “This was a tactic. Zane’s goal was to get me away.”

“So, you didn’t let me pick up Ms. Evans because you already knew Mr. Hartley would be involved?” Joel said.

“Exactly,” Fabian affirmed.

“But aren’t you worried about Ms. Evans being alone with Mr. Hartley?” Joel asked carefully.

Fabian’s tone remained steady. “Why would I be worried? I don’t particularly like Zane, but Elysia does.”

Joel glanced at Fabian in the rearview mirror, contemplating his words. ‘Has Mr. Evans‘ doting on Ms. Evans reached the extent that he is willing to let go of this matter?‘ he thought.

“Giving them time alone is not a problem. I’m not so petty,” Fabian continued. “And Elysia is like a bird meant to fly freely. I don’t want to cage her.”

“Understood, Mr. Evans,” Joel responded quietly.

Meanwhile, at the café, Jeremy had already arrived, feeling a sense of satisfaction as he eagerly awaited Fabian’s arrival. He was confident that his plan would work to perfection.

Since Jeremy had promised, he would do his best. Zane had asked him to hold Fabian up. If they chose to have the talk in the city center, Fabian would have to leave soon.

If they chose a place far away from the city center, just the drive there would take half a day.

And then if they had a casual conversation for a while, it would definitely be evening by the time they were done.

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Chapter 316 ‘Zane is so lucky. With a friend like me, what could go wrong?‘ Jeremy grinned inwardly.

However, rather than having Zane express gratitude to him, Jeremy only hoped that Zane could help bring him and Nicole together.

Just upon imagining himself strolling alongside Nicole, hand in hand, his excitement made his grin widen, At Iskoria Villa, Zane rang the doorbell, and the door was answered by Faclan. His eyes lit up when he saw them. “Mr. Hartley, Elysia, please, come in!” he said with a welcoming smile.

As they stepped inside, Faelan’s gaze turned toward Elysia, his tone slightly playful. “Elysia, Mr. Hartley has been waiting for you for quite some time. It’s about time you arrived.”

“Elysia, don’t listen to him. I didn’t miss him.” Vincent’s voice rang out from behind.

Faelan quickly sobered up. “Ah, yes, I misspoke. Sorry.”

Faelan flashed Elysia a knowing wink before turning back to Zane, his voice rising in pitch. “Mr. Hartley, I’ll go make some coffee.”

“Go,” Vincent urged.

“Mr. Hartley really has been waiting for you,” Faelan said in a low voice before rushing off to prepare coffee.

Elysia walked forward, and Vincent, sitting on the couch, turned to face her, his expression serious. “Elysia, how long has it been since you last visited me?”

The slight whiff of complaint in his tone made Elysia smile warmly as she squatted in front of him, her voice softening. “Mr.

Hartley, the moment I had free time, I came straight to see you.”

She blinked her big eyes.

Vincent’s frown deepened, though his voice remained light. “If I don’t push you, you won’t have any sense of urgency. I’m starting to suspect you’ve forgotten about me.”

“How could I forget, Mr. Hartley?” Elysia’s voice was almost innocent, and she added, “I wanted to come earlier, but Zane told me you were away in Jorlandia for a seminar, so I just got here today.”

It was then that Vincent noticed Zane standing quietly behind Elysia. His expression turned even less friendly. “What are you doing here?”

Zane’s response was calm and matter–of–fact. “If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t see Elysia.”

Just as Vincent was about to snap back, Elysia intervened, a playful smile on her face, “Mr. Hartley, Zane is right. If he hadn’t come to pick me up, I wouldn’t have known you were back.”

Vincent hesitated, hearing Elysia’s defense. Though he didn’t like Zane, he couldn’t bring himself to stay mad at him with Elysia standing up for him.

He quickly changed his tone. “Fine. Since Elysia says so, I won’t hold it against you.”

Just then, Faelan returned with a tray of coffee, but when he overheard the conversation, his smile froze.

He hadn’t expected Zane to be dismissed yet again.

Faelan couldn’t help but wonder, “Why is Zane always making Mr. Hartley unhappy? It seems as if Elysia were Mr. Hartley’s own biological granddaughter.

2/3 Chapter 316 Faclan placed the cups down and sat down. Vincent helped Elysia up. “Elysia, sit beside me.”

Elysia stood up and sat next to Vincent. “Elysia, listen to me,” he began.

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Vincent noticed that Zane was still , and the words that were about to blurt out were swallowed.back. He looked at Zane and said, “What are you still standing there for? Are you waiting for me to help you sit down?”

Faelan thought to himself, ‘Who would have known that Zane, who’s so assertive in front of outsiders, would have such an indescribable status at home? No one, right?‘

To avoid further awkwardness, Faelan quickly stood up and offered his seat. “Mr. Hartley, please have a seat here.”

“Thanks, but no need.” Zane, however, remained unaffected, settling in the closest available spot.

Vincent scowled. “Faclan, what are you doing? Letting him sit? There’s plenty of room; he can find a place himself.”

Faelan nervously smiled. “Got it, Mr. Hartley.”

‘Sorry, Mr. Hartley, I didn’t mean to get you in more trouble, Faclan thought, still shaken.

As Vincent’s apprentice, Faelan knew better than to challenge his master’s authority, especially in his own home.

Vincent finally turned his attention back to Elysia. “Elysia, I went to Jorlandia for the academic seminar, and there’s something else I wanted to discuss. The oil painting competition for the new year is coming up. Are you interested?”

Elysia, who had already anticipated the question, nodded. As Vincent’s student, there was no question she would participate.

She sensed that Vincent was only asking out of respect for her decision.

Meeting Vincent’s expectant gaze, Elysia answered with a smile. “Mr. Hartley, I’ll participate.”

Vincent’s face finally lit up with a grin. “Good, I knew you were the best!”

He gave her a thumbs–up in approval.

Vincent looked at her with a playful glint. “You and Faelan should both enter. Winning isn’t important; just think of it as fun.”

Fun? Elysia blinked in surprise.

Faelan, who had been listening intently, found himself confused. He thought, ‘Wait a second. When I entered the competition, Mr.

Hartley was all about winning.’

Faelan’s mind replayed Vincent’s stern words from years ago. “As an oil painting master’s disciple, you don’t have to win first place, but second or third should be a given.”

‘So why is Mr. Hartley being so easy on Elysia? Why the double standard?‘ Faelan wondered.