Chapter 617 - 613: Prison Visit

A man who’s been an adult for years but is still a virgin.

’You’d be hard-pressed to find a monk like that in a temple, wouldn’t you?’

Not long ago, the abbot of Cathay’s largest temple was at the center of a major scandal, exposed for keeping dozens of mistresses on the side!

It turned out all the wishes the worshippers made before Buddha were being granted by the abbot himself!

"I hereby declare you the most endangered species in Cathay. You could totally replace the panda as the new national treasure!" Cecilia said sincerely.

Emeric Grant was so amused by Cecilia’s words that he laughed, speechless. But Cecilia thought for a moment and added, "Actually, no. You’re *too* endangered. A status that might not last for long."

Hearing this, Emeric Grant looked at Cecilia, a clear fire of desire burning in his eyes. He had obviously understood the hint and provocation in her words.

Their eyes met. Neither spoke again, but their gazes clashed and merged in a fiery exchange.

The car drove for nearly an hour and a half before finally stopping outside the gates of Lamp Bridge Prison in the Sunstone District.

Zelda Warner had arrived a little earlier than Cecilia. Duane was standing by the roadside, smoking and scrolling through his phone out of boredom.

Originally, Zelda was supposed to come with the old woman, but she hadn’t been feeling well lately and had even run a high fever a couple of days ago. So, at the last minute, Zelda had asked Cecilia to come with her instead.

"Duane!"

Cecilia got out of the car and called out to him from a distance.

Hearing her, Duane looked up. Seeing Cecilia, he couldn’t help but wave and hurry over.

As he drew near, Duane blurted out, "Cecilia."

"Where’s my sister-in-law?"

"She took the kids inside to register. She told me to wait for you at the gate and to have you go register when you arrived."

Cecilia nodded in understanding, then turned to Emeric Grant beside her with an apologetic smile. "Sorry to make you wait. The visit is an hour at most. I’ll be out soon."

Emeric Grant nodded, his expression gentle. "No rush. I’ll be right here waiting for you."

Duane glanced at Emeric Grant a few times, full of curiosity. The more he looked, the more familiar the man seemed. It wasn’t until after Cecilia had gone through the prison gate that it suddenly hit him. "Y-You’re a doctor from the OB/GYN department at the Second Military Hospital, aren’t you? I’ve seen you at the hospital!"

"Hello," Emeric Grant acknowledged with a calm nod.

Duane’s face showed his surprise, but he didn’t dare ask about Cecilia’s private affairs.

’So, the two of them are...’

Cecilia registered her personal information at the visitation desk, then sat with Zelda Warner on a bench in the main hall to wait for the prison guard’s announcement.

Zelda Warner’s body was trembling slightly, whether from excitement or nervousness, she couldn’t tell. She hadn’t even seen him yet, but just sitting here was enough to make her eyes well up.

"Sister-in-law, let me hold Phoebe." Seeing her state, Cecilia took Phoebe from Zelda Warner’s arms.

Alex leaned against his mother, a concerned look on his face. "Mom, don’t cry. Dad wouldn’t want to see you cry, either."

Cecilia smiled at Alex, and Zelda stroked her son’s small head. "You’re such a good boy, Alex. When you see Dad in a bit, remember to tell him you got first place on your exam."

Just then, a voice came over the hall’s loudspeaker: "Family of Wesley Yates, please proceed to Visitation Room 5. Family of Wesley Yates, please proceed to Visitation Room 5."

Unlike the stereotypical prison visit where you talk through a glass partition on a phone, Visitation Room 5 was a small room with a window. The window itself was small and barred with iron on the outside.

There was a door at the front and one at the back. Cecilia and Zelda Warner entered through the front door. In a moment, Wesley Yates would be escorted in through the back.

Inside the room were only a table and two chairs. Cecilia had Zelda sit down while she stood to the side, holding Phoebe. Alex also stood obediently by his mother.

A guard stood nearby, explaining the visitation rules: no physical contact with the inmate, no losing emotional control or shouting, and so on.

Any serious violation could result in the loss of future visitation rights.

Wesley Yates hadn’t arrived yet, but a heart-wrenching wail suddenly erupted from the next room, startling them.

Cecilia and Zelda exchanged a look. Zelda gave a helpless, self-deprecating smile. "I can’t be crying like that in a little while."

Cecilia smiled too. "Everything turned out for the best. There’s nothing to cry about."

Before long, a sound came from the opposite door. It opened, and Wesley Yates walked in, wearing an orange prison jumpsuit and handcuffs.

Zelda shot up from her chair, her eyes filled with heartache as she looked at him. But remembering the guard’s words, she restrained the urge to rush forward and hug him, letting tears stream uncontrollably down her face.

But Wesley Yates was smiling the whole time.

"Cecilia’s here too," he said with a smile, his gaze shifting to her.

Cecilia’s nose stung, and her eyes immediately reddened, but she fought back the tears and nodded.

The table was wide, and they sat facing each other. Without his sunglasses, the scar at the corner of Wesley’s eye was particularly noticeable.

His hair was a buzz cut, close to the scalp. He was thinner and darker, but his spirits seemed good.

"Let me see Phoebe," Wesley said, craning his neck to get a look at the baby in Cecilia’s arms.

Seeing this, Cecilia quickly placed Phoebe on the table. Wesley looked at her with delight, his eyes overflowing with love for his daughter.

"She’s so healthy. She eats well, sleeps well, and barely cries. She’s been a very easy baby," Zelda said.

Wesley looked at her, a hint of guilt in his voice. "It’s been hard on you, honey."

"It’s not hard. With Mom and Cecilia helping, it’s not hard at all." Zelda began to tell Wesley about what had been happening—about herself, about the two children, and of course, about his mother and Tony Yates.

Wesley listened intently, not missing a single word.

At the end, Cecilia added, "Brother, everything you entrusted to me is taken care of. You don’t need to worry."

Wesley nodded. "Don’t worry about my brother. Let him do whatever. I know him—he’s shortsighted and brainless. A beached turtle like him can’t stir up any trouble."

"But Mom is soft-hearted and easily swayed. She might not be able to tell right from wrong sometimes. Honey, please be patient with her. She’s getting old, so just humor her when you can."

Zelda nodded. "Don’t worry. Mom’s living with me now. She’s so happy having her grandson and granddaughter with her every day. I’ll take good care of her for you."

Zelda knew in her heart that Jeb was a dutiful son, so out of love for him, she had always been accommodating and patient with his mother.

Wesley also spoke briefly about his rehabilitation, saying everything was fine to put their minds at ease.

The hour passed quickly. When it was time to part, Zelda couldn’t hold back her tears again. As if sensing something, Phoebe, who had been quiet the whole time, also started wailing. Alex did the same.

Coming out of the prison, Zelda’s eyes were red and swollen, and she couldn’t calm down for a long time. She hadn’t even finished wiping the tears from her face when she looked up and saw Duane chatting with a very familiar person.

"Dr. Grant?"