Chapter 799: Live by Yourself

No matter how much someone loathed it, maintaining a facade of harmony was mandatory. In high society, everyone played the part.

Chloe Reed quickly came to terms with this reality. Keeping the unopened gift box in her hand, she continued her post-meal stroll through the garden with Fiona Linton.

Fiona looped an arm through hers, picking up their earlier conversation. "Chloe, since Walker Grant is returning to the Grant Family Estate for the New Year, where should we go? Let’s take a trip somewhere! How about booking a Hot Spring Villa for a vacation?"

Chloe nodded. "Okay."

Thrilled, Fiona replied, "Then I need to do some research and find the best one."

As the sky darkened, the temperature dropped significantly. The two women cut their stroll short and headed back inside the villa.

By the time night had completely fallen, scattered snowflakes began to drift down from the sky.

Noah maneuvered his wheelchair out onto the balcony himself. Staring wide-eyed at the falling snow, his little face lit up with excitement.

"Grandma, can I build a snowman tomorrow?!"

Judith Pierce smiled warmly. She walked over, ruffled his hair, and said, "This snow might not be heavy enough to stick, but if you really want to build a snowman, we can visit a ski resort."

"I want to go!" Noah nodded vigorously. "I want to go with Uncle Walker and Aunt Chloe!"

Judith’s expression stiffened for a moment before she replied, "Uncle Walker hasn’t fully recovered yet. He can’t play with you right now."

Noah quickly compromised. "Then let Aunt Chloe come! I want to play with her."

"Aunt Chloe has to stay and take care of Uncle Walker," Judith coaxed gently. "Once they’re both feeling better, they can play with you."

Noah wanted to argue, but right at that moment, Judith’s phone started ringing with an incoming video call.

She checked the screen, answered the call, and pointed the camera directly at Noah’s face.

"Grandpa!"

Noah held the phone in his small hands, looking the picture of a sweet, obedient child.

Arthur Grant’s initially cold expression seemed to melt like thawing ice the moment he saw Noah. His features softening, he asked, "When is Noah coming back? Grandpa misses you."

Noah grinned, his large eyes sparkling brightly. "I’m coming back tomorrow! Don’t be a crybaby, Grandpa."

Arthur laughed out loud. It was one of the few genuinely joyous smiles he had shown in years. Yet, even though he had spent the past few days living with Noah, he still couldn’t completely conceal the deep sorrow and grief lurking in his eyes.

"Alright then, Noah has to keep his promise and come back," he coaxed the child playfully. "Otherwise, Grandpa will be so sad he just might cry."

"Mhm, I will!"

"Pass the phone back to Grandma," Arthur said.

Noah immediately handed the device to Judith. She patted his head gently and walked over to the other side of the room for privacy.

"Walker said he would come back for New Year’s dinner." Judith’s expression was complex as she tried to keep her tone as gentle as possible. "Arthur, Walker is our only son left, and he doesn’t even have a child of his own yet. Please, try to rein in your temper around him."

The underlying meaning of her words was painfully clear. If something terrible were to happen to Walker, they would have absolutely no one left to anchor their hearts to.

Arthur snorted coldly. "He brought that upon himself! If he hadn’t gotten a vasectomy, his own child would be Noah’s age by now, and Noah wouldn’t have to be so lonely!"

Judith frowned deeply. "Arthur Grant, are you even listening to me? If you’re going to keep up this attitude, then I’ll just take Noah and spend the New Year here at Jardinelle! You can celebrate at the Grant Family Estate all by yourself!"