Chapter 111
Perhaps no one could truly understand what Keira was feeling right now.
She was heartbroken.
Utterly devastated.
At her age, all she ever wanted was to see her family gathered around her, to enjoy the warmth of children and grandchildren.
But what did she have?
Her only son lay bedridden, trapped in an unresponsive body, unable to care for himself.
Her daughter-in-law had vanished without a trace.
And her only granddaughter-no one even knew if she was alive.
How many nights had Keira woken from troubled dreams, her pillow soaked with the tears she’d cried in the darkness?
Seeing her old friend in such pain, Irene’s eyes turned red as well. She squeezed Keira’s hand. “We’ll find her. I promise you, Keira, we’ll bring Freya back p>
Keira nodded, her voice weary. “I hope so p>
She wiped her eyes and forced a small smile. “But let’s not dwell on this, Irene. You’ve come all the way to the capital-promise me you’ll stay with me for a few days, at least p>
“I wish I could, but work at the institute is hectic right now. I can only stay for three days this time,” Irene replied with a gentle smile. “But once things settle down, I’ll come back and spend more time with you p>
“Don’t you dare lie to me,” Keira chided, looking at Irene with a half-serious frown. Irene laughed. “When have I ever lied to you? You know, it’s been ages since you visited Silverhaven. Next time, why don’t you come with me? I’ve met a remarkable young woman there-bright, talented, and skilled in traditional medicine. She might even help with your headaches. I’m sure you’d adore her p>
“Is that so?” Keira asked, curiosity piqued.
Irene nodded earnestly. “Absolutely. Honestly, I owe her my life. Just last Wednesday, I suffered a sudden heart attack and collapsed in the street. If it weren’t for her quick thinking, I’d be ashes by now p>
Keira’s concern deepened hearing how close her friend had come to death. “She saved your life? Then I must meet her myself p>
She was eager to see if Caitlin was really as wonderful as Irene claimed.
In the sitting room, Amanda arranged a tray of delicate pastries. “Ann, take these
up to your grandmother’s room in a minute, will you p>
Ann glanced at her mother, then around the room, a frown creasing her brow. “Mom, what’s the point p>
“What do you mean, ‘what’s the point?”” Amanda looked puzzled, not understanding her daughter’s tone.
“I mean, no matter how nice I am to Grandma, it’ll never be enough. I’m not Freya,” Ann said, rubbing her temples as if warding off a headache. “Why should I keep trying when all she does is turn a cold shoulder p>
Ann hated having to curry favor with Keira.
She hated it deeply.
What she hated even more was hearing the name “Freya” every time she visited.
In Keira’s eyes, she would always be an outsider.
Only Freya was truly precious to her.
Amanda’s expression darkened. “Ann, how can you say that? If your grandmother ever heard you, she’d be devastated. No matter what, you’re her granddaughter. You carry her blood. Whether she shows it or not, you owe her your respect. You must never defy her p>
“That’s blind loyalty,” Ann retorted, clearly disagreeing.
If she were Amanda, she wouldn’t have spent the last decade dutifully tending to Keira.
Amanda sighed. “She’s my mother, Ann. It’s only right that I take care of her. Besides, you’re set to inherit Gonzales Holdings one day. As the future head of the family, you can’t have any blemishes on your record-especially not the stain of being unfilial p>
She hesitated, then added, “And your grandmother does care for you, in her own way. On your eighteenth birthday, she gave you five million dollars as startup capital for your business. And remember the last trip to Rosenthal? She brought you back the earrings Princess Anna once wore p>
Keira truly did care for Ann.
The truth was, the Templeton family never had much to begin with. Ann’s father, Gavin, was an orphan with no family of his own. It would be more accurate to say Gavin married into the Gonzales family than the other way around.
Keira hadn’t just helped Ann start her business; she’d supported her son-in-law’s ventures all these years as well.
If it weren’t for the Gonzales family’s backing, the Templeton Group would have gone under long ago.