NovelOnlineChapter 245
The matter had been resolved, but it left a bad taste-these sorts of things were always considered inauspicious,
and to let it spiral like this felt, to Phelps, deeply disrespectful to their ancestors.
He gave everyone in the Lawson family a harsh scolding, making it clear that if anything like this happened
again, he wouldn't let it slide.
Afterward, a sense of discontent toward Jessica lingered throughout the family.
If she had just stayed hlike she was supposed to, none of this would have happened.
But with the patriarch still seething, nobody dared voice their frustrations openly.
What should have been a cheerful family gathering for the festival had turned into a day shrouded in gloom, the
atmosphere tense and unsettled.
Timothy lost his appetite for lunch entirely. With Jessica absent, he simply told Henry to stay at the old house for
now.
Leaving the Lawson estate, Timothy got into his car and dialed Jessica's number.
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She didn't answer.
He gripped his phone so tightly his knuckles went white. After a moment, he set it aside, started the engine, and
headed hto The Gilded Whisper Estates.
Inside, he unlocked the safe and retrieved the pearl necklace and brooch Secretary Allen had recently redeemed
for him.
The brooches that had been sent later by the jeweler's boutique were all stored safely at the office; he had no
intention of letting them see the light of day again.
The necklace was his mother's keepsake. The brooch-one he'd chosen and bought specifically for Jessica-was, he
believed, perfect for her.
It was tto return these things to their rightful owner.
He admitted, at first, he'd been angry about today.
If Jessica had been at home, none of this would have happened.
But thinking deeper, he realized that for seven years, Jessica had devoted herself to the Lawson family, never
once tending to the memory of her own late relatives.
That morning, when she cback to the Lawsons, people complained she didn't participate in the festival
memorial service.
Yet in her absence, not a single person had bothered to prepare the offerings.
And for those seven years, since Jessica's family was all gone, he'd never once accompanied her to visit their
graves-never even thought to.
Timothy carefully packed the necklace and brooch, then left the house.
Driving past a flower shop, he stopped and ordered the finest white
chrysanthemums, picked up ssimple memorial supplies, and got straight onto Iris Intercontinental Highway.
On his way to buy the offerings that morning, Secretary Allen had called to report he couldn't reach Mrs. Lawson;
Timothy told him not to bother coming back if he didn't find her.
Now, Timothy called Secretary Allen again.
"Where are you?" he asked.
"Still at Mrs. Lawson's family home," Allen replied, sounding a bit put-upon.
After the memorial, Jessica had refused to return to Riverside City with him and left in Herbert's car instead.
Since Timothy had ordered him not to return without her, Allen had been waiting by the house ever since-without
any sign of Jessica.
"Find out where Mrs. Lawson's mother and grandmother are buried," Timothy said.
"I already know," Allen answered with relief. He'd followed Jessica there earlier that morning.
"Alright, wait for me. I'm on my way-should be there in just over an hour."
Allen let out a quiet sigh of relief; with President Lawson coming, maybe he could finally go home.
Timothy didn't bother asking if Jessica was at the house. When he arrived, he simply had Allen lead him to
Jessica's mother and grandmother's graves.
Only then did Timothy realize how humble and neglected their resting place was. After paying his respects,
Timothy gave Secretary Allen a new assignment. "Find a reputable stonemason—someone experienced with
memorial work. Have the gravesite properly restored."
Back at Jessica's family home, Timothy got out and told Allen to handle the arrangements.
When Allen saw Timothy standing at the door, about to knock, he said, "President Lawson, Mrs. Lawson isn't
home."
"You saw her, didn't you? Where did she go?"
Just then, a car pulled up to the house.
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