They were joined by a few local wealthy businessmen.
Louis arranged for someone to run a check on the county mayor and dismissed the rest.
He glanced at me and sighed, “Scarlett, you’ve gotten thinner.”
I smiled faintly. “Are you hungry? Why don’t you come over for dinner? You can visit Summer as well.”
He chuckled, “I thought you would never ask! I’ll be more than willing to join you.”
I gave a vague smile. “I hope the food would be to your liking!”
He frowned. “Scarlett, what are you talking about? You are registered under the Stovall family register, so you’re my daughter. Since when did our relationship distance to this extent?”
And so I brought him to my house.
Earlier, I had asked Colin to help pick Summer up. When Louis and I arrived, Colin and Summer were already home.
Summer lifted her head and stared at Louis. “Uncle, I’ve seen you on Mommy’s phone before.”
Louis and I were bewildered by her remark. “Do you recognize me then?”
Summer nodded. “Yes, you catch bad guys.”
I quickly realized that she probably saw Louis in the news because, at times, I would pay special attention to K City’s happenings when I watched the evening news, so naturally, Louis would appear then.
Summer had an excellent memory, so it wasn’t unusual for her to remember him.
Holding on to Summer, I said, “Summer, let’s be polite and call grandpa.”
Summer lifted her head again to look at Louis. “Grandpa, could you help me catch bad guys?”
Louis bent down slightly and said, “Who is the bad guy you need me to catch?”
Summer thought about it for a while and answered, “The bad guy in Mr. Johnson’s hotel always scolds my mommy. She also calls me a bastard.”
Children were pure in nature. I had brought Summer to the hotel for housekeeping before because I was worried about leaving her alone at home. We would occasionally bump into Joyce, and she would even curse at children.
I thought that Summer wouldn’t remember such a minor detail, so I wasn’t expecting her to expose Joyce under such circumstances.
I smiled as I held on to Summer. “Summer, grandpa is here for dinner today, not for work. So catching bad guys would have to wait. I’m going to give you a small task. Why don’t you and Michael bring grandpa to the back and see what he likes and bring those back?”
Summer nodded. “Sure, mommy!”
She paused briefly as if she remembered something and tugged Louis. “Grandpa, let’s go. The grapes Mommy grew around the fence are ripe now. Let’s pluck them.”
Summer had forgotten all about catching bad guys and was already tugging Louis to the back.
Colin noticed my unusual mood. “You’re Louis Stovall’s daughter?”
How should I explain this?
“Four years ago, he acknowledged me as his daughter by fate. So yeah, I’m his daughter.”
He went silent and didn’t pursue further.
The optimal relationship between people was by maintaining a polite distance and not probe for one’s secrets.
Mid-way through dinner, the doorbell rang.
Being the active little girl Summer was, she ran to get the door once she heard the bell rang. I got up and followed her.
Summer’s words reached me before I could understand the situation. “Mommy, there is a bad guy outside our door!”
I jumped in shock and rushed towards Summer. I saw Joyce barging in with red, puffy eyes and a haggard look.
Before I could react, Joyce dashed towards me. She held on to me and knelt.
She sobbed. “Scarlett, it is all my fault. My father is innocent, so do whatever you want to me, but please let me father go.”
Hearing her words, I was able to guess what happened. Louis was efficient in his work, and there weren’t many who would doubt his decisions.
I thought the investigation would take place the next morning since Louis had just arrived at R Province.
Just a few hours had passed, and Joyce was on her knees begging in front of me.
I pursed my lips while I removed her hand and took a few steps back to keep my distance from her. “Ms. Newton, I think you’re mistaken. Why are you on your knees begging me for help here? This is not a church or temple.”
Hearing the commotion, Louis and Colin came to see.
They were baffled at Joyce’s appearance, then frowned at her behavior.
Joyce surprisingly recognized Louis despite not watching the news often. She came up to him and sobbed. “Mr. Stovall, please let me father go. He was just an average person. He has always been an honest man and followed the law strictly. It was me who caused trouble. I shouldn’t have behaved arrogantly.
“Please, it is all my fault. If you’re taking revenge on me by abusing your power, please don’t involve my father. Mr. Stovall, you’re a person with high status. I know you’re not afraid of anyone, but we’re different. All these years, my father had abided by the law. He had never done anything bad. He was only a petty official. Every step forward was difficult for him. He couldn’t win against you.”
