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Chapter 159: Chapter 159: Want You to Take Charge

”Grandpa was just teasing. Look at you, taking it so seriously.”

Lynn Winslow huffed. ”You can’t talk like that.”

”Alright, alright. Grandpa won’t say it again.”

Ian Sterling brought over a tissue. Carefully avoiding the makeup Lynn had so meticulously applied that morning, he dabbed away the trace of moisture from the corner of her eye.

Cecilia Powell spoke for the third time since entering the villa.

”Lynn, your grandpa hasn’t been doing too well lately. Your dad said that he and Joel are having a hard time managing him. You should give him a call when you have a moment. He only listens to you.”

Lynn Winslow shot to her feet. Her emotions were running so high she couldn’t control the volume of her voice. ”What happened? He was fine the last time I came back.”

”It’s still about him not watching his diet. It’s not serious, and he didn’t want us to tell you. But your father called last night and said he wanted you to step in.”

But Lynn was already crying from anxiety. Ian Sterling quickly stood up to comfort her. ”Don’t worry. We’ll call Mr. Winslow tonight. It’s already the middle of the night in Morelia.”

Lynn bit her lip. ”Joel is definitely still awake. Where’s my phone? I need to call Joel.”

With that, she headed for the living room. Ian followed behind her. Seeing this, Mr. Powell shot Cecilia Powell a reproachful look. ”Look what you’ve done. You know Lynn is closest to her grandpa, yet you had to bring it up now and make her worry for nothing. How is your father-in-law? Is it serious?”

Cecilia Powell stood up, gazing toward the living room, and sighed. ”It’s not very serious, but if it goes unchecked, his condition will definitely worsen.”

Mr. Powell had lost his appetite now. He put down his chopsticks, his expression growing grave.

Lynn returned to the living room, frantically found her phone, and dialed Joel Winslow’s number with a trembling hand.

’I can’t disturb Grandpa, and I don’t want to contact Wyatt Winslow, so my only choice is to call Joel.’

Fortunately, Joel was indeed still awake. A glance at the caller ID told him why Lynn was calling. He felt a little apprehensive, afraid she would blame him for not looking after their grandfather properly.

But he didn’t dare hesitate for long. The moment he answered, Lynn’s tone was sharp.

”Joel Winslow, I told you before to let me know if anything happens with Grandpa. If you guys can’t get him to listen, I can. Now Grandpa’s sick, so why didn’t you tell me?”

Joel cautiously explained, ”Sis, Grandpa wouldn’t let me say anything. He even pressured me. I really didn’t dare tell you. But you’re right, it was my fault. I shouldn’t have kept it from you.”

Lynn knew she was being rash, her words demanding and unreasonable. She sank onto the sofa and said weakly, ”What’s wrong with Grandpa’s health?”

”It’s the same old thing. It’s just gotten a little worse because Dad and I can’t get him to listen. Once he gets it under control, he’ll be fine.”

”Call me as soon as Grandpa wakes up. Don’t worry about the time, just call when he’s awake.” Lynn instructed sternly, ”No matter what he says, no matter how he threatens or pressures you, I’ve got your back. Remember, call me the moment he wakes up.”

Joel obediently murmured his assent. He heard the DIAL TONE—Lynn had already hung up.

Ian Sterling stood beside her. Seeing her cover her face in frustration, he crouched down and said softly, ”Let’s go to Morelia to see your grandpa. We’ll leave this afternoon.”

Lynn lowered her hands and stared at him, stunned. Ian’s lips curved into a smile. ”My plane isn’t in the country right now, but my dad’s is. We’ll go back and pack, pull some strings to file a flight plan, and if we’re fast, we should be able to leave this afternoon. If not, then tonight.”

”I...” Lynn was still hesitant. She could just buy a plane ticket; there was no need to make such a big fuss.

But Ian took her hand and pressed a kiss to her palm. ”Ask Mr. Powell. I think he’ll want to go too. He’s getting on in years—would you really want to make him suffer through a commercial flight?”

Fearing she would still hesitate, he continued, ”My dad’s plane is even nicer than mine. It has a bedroom and a media room, and even the in-flight meals are prepared by a five-star chef. Besides, I’ve already told my dad’s secretary to file the flight plan now.”

”You’ve already told him, and you’re still asking me.” Lynn frowned. Ian deliberately teased her, ”That’s right. I was just messing with you.”

Lynn couldn’t help but smile through her tears. She wiped them away with her slender, fair fingers and got up to ask Mr. Powell.

Mr. Powell agreed without hesitation. ”Let’s go together,” he said. ”Since they can’t manage Mr. Winslow, we’ll persuade him to come back to Veridia with us. I’ll help you keep an eye on him then.”

’In any case, Joel is with the Winslow family,’ Lynn thought. ’And even though my father doesn’t like dealing with these things, he knows what he needs to do. Wyatt owes me, so he can stay and manage the Winslow family to pay off his debt.’

Cecilia Powell asked hesitantly, ”Lynn, can I go with you?”

Lynn looked up at her. Mother and daughter locked eyes for a long moment under the watchful gaze of Mr. Powell and Ian Sterling before Lynn finally nodded.

”Ian and I will head back to Aerie Garden first. Grandpa, you should pack as well. You can stay for a few extra days. We’ll come back to pick you all up later.”

She had said ”you all,” and Cecilia knew that with that simple phrase, Lynn had included her, not forgotten her.

Watching Lynn and Ian leave, Cecilia stood at the villa’s entrance, recalling everything Ian had just done for Lynn. After a long pause, she said to the butler standing beside her, ”That Finn from the Sterling family... he’s very good to Lynn.”

The butler nodded with a beaming smile. ”Indeed. The last time Finn and the young miss were here, you could tell from their subtle interactions how good their relationship is. And Mrs. Sterling of the Sterling family—she’s known for being so formidable in public, but her treatment of the young miss is beyond reproach.”

Although he worked for the Powell family taking care of Mr. Powell, he was aware of every little thing that happened outside. He had even heard about how Nina Norton had stood up for Lynn in front of all the grand dames of Quartos.

Cecilia smiled, gratified, and said earnestly, ”He’s done all the things we failed to do. In the end, we were just too selfish.”

The butler deeply agreed with Cecilia’s self-reflection, but he said nothing, only smiling as he turned to go find Mr. Powell.

Mr. Powell hadn’t traveled abroad much in recent years. Seeing that Lynn wasn’t as frantic after her phone call, he knew that Mr. Winslow’s illness wasn’t critical. This trip, aside from visiting, he also hoped Lynn and Ian would take the two old geezers out for some fun.

The butler had been by his side for more years than he could count. Noticing the smile playing on Mr. Powell’s lips, he chuckled and said, ”Let me find some clothes for you, sir. It’ll be too late to buy them when you get there.”

Mr. Powell stood by with his hands behind his back. When he saw the butler selecting clothes that were casual yet dignified, he gave the butler a look of complete approval.

’He understands what I’m thinking and always looks out for me.’

—

Lynn leaned back in the car seat, propping her forehead on her hand in silence. Her earlier relaxed demeanor had all been an act; she was afraid of making Mr. Powell worry too.

Ian reached out, gave her cheek a gentle pinch, and then caressed it with his thumb.

”Don’t worry. Didn’t your mother and Joel just say it’s nothing serious?”