Chapter 63

Slater let out a dreamy sigh. "If Dr. Willis actually liked me, marrying her would be a good choice to thank her properly."

Laughter erupted from Barrie as he turned to Slater and said, "That's not going to work on me. I'm wise to all your frivolous behavior, you brat. There's no way I'd let Dr. Willis end up upset."

Slater grabbed at his chest with an exaggerated look of pain. "Grandpa, how could you accuse me like that?"

At that moment, the driver pulled the car to a stop and swung open the rear door.

Marietta reached over with a smile, giving Slater a pat as he sat by the door. "That's enough nonsense.Out you go." Slater straightened up and unfolded his long legs as he climbed out. When his eyes landed on the building ahead, a strange familiarity hit him,especially when he spotted the fountain close by.

Assuming his memory hadn't failed him, he was pretty sure he had seen that same spot before in one of Kaia's posts online.

Slater blinked in shock. "What are we doing at the Willis family'shouse?"

Barrie leaned against his cane with a chuckle. "You mean you didn't know? Dr. Willis is Alec Willis'daughter."

Slater froze in astonishment. "Dr. Willis is Alec's daughter?"

The Willis family had two girls. One was Kaia, the one he was familiar with.

The other was Verena, who had only just come back from the countryside.

Since he already knew Kaia, that left only one possibility...

Hold on a second!

Could the eldest daughter of the Willis family, the one who had come back from the countryside,actually be Dr.Willis?

Slater's mind spun in a storm of disbelief,overflowing with exclamation marks and question marks.

If Dr. Willis truly turned out to be Verena,then he had already badmouthed her more than once behind her back.

Impossible! Anyone who had spoken ill of Verena must have been spreading lies.

Slater resolved on the spot that he had to apologize to Dr. Willis without delay.

"Mr. Lyons, at last you've arrived." A lively male voice cut into Slater's thoughts, and when he lifted his head, Alec and Laura were already waiting near the car."You're looking as strong and spirited as ever, Mr.Lyons," Alec said to Barrie with a broad smile.

Barrie chuckled in good humor. "That's kind of you,but I'm getting on in years-I can't go anywhere without this cane."

Fletcher stepped forward, offering his hand. "Mr.Willis, I've heard a great deal about you."

A spark of surprise flashed in Alec's eyes-this was the CEO of the renowned Avalon Group, a man he seldom had the chance to meet. Yet today, Fletcher was greeting him with such warmth.

Alec clasped his hand without hesitation. "I've long wanted to meet you, Mr. Lyons. It's truly a pleasure to at last."

Laura reached for Marietta's hand with familiar warmth, speaking as though they were longtime acquaintances. "So the final scarf from S&F found its way to you, Mrs. Lyons. It suits your delicate skin beautifully. I'm glad it wasn't mine-it would have been wasted on me." This was Marietta's first time meeting Laura, and she thought her manner a touch excessive.

Even so, because Laura was the mother of the doctor who had saved Barrie, Marietta let the familiarity pass without complaint.

With a pleasant smile, she answered, "I actually own another scarf just like this one. If it pleases you, Mrs.Willis, I'll have it sent over."

Laura gave no clear response but shifted the subject toward Slater instead. "Slater really is impressive. It's no wonder the girls in Shoildon admire him so much."

Caught off guard by the mention, Slater cast Laura a conflicted glance. If Dr. Willis ever learned the things he'd said about her, the shame would be unbearable.

He came to a firm conclusion that he needed to apologize before she learned the truth on her own.Lost in thought, Slater gave a half-hearted greeting to Laura and said, "Nice to meet you, Mrs. Willis."

Slater kept stretching his neck, trying to get a glimpse into the house, and Alec caught on right away. With a teasing grin, he said, "Slater, looks like you're pretty eager to catch sight of my daughter,aren't you?"

A faint flush crept over Slater's cheeks as he rubbed the back of his head. "I guess I am a little eager."

Naturally, his nerves were high-after all, he had spoken poorly of Verena more than once, and the weight of guilt pushed him to hurry with an apology.

Watching the young man's flustered behavior, Alec gave a satisfied nod.

Inside, Laura was thrilled, convinced that Slater's blush was proof of affection for Kaia.

He might not hold the same brilliance as the Bennett brothers, yet the Lyons family's influence in Shoildon could not be questioned.

Should Kaia marry Slater, his straightforward personality would ensure he remained completely under her sway.

And with Kaia credited for Barrie's recovery, the Willis family's standing in Shoildon would be unshakable.

Holding back her rising joy, Laura said brightly,"Enough waiting outside, let's head in."

The moment the words left her mouth, Slater bolted straight inside.

Pointing at Slater's back, Barrie murmured,"That boy never knows how to slow down."

Alec, aware of Slater's eagerness to see Kaia,chuckled and said, "He's still young-recklessness suits him."

Inside the house, Slater spotted Kaia seated quietly on the sofa.

Kaia's eyes caught his; she smiled softly and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.

Instead of greeting her, Slater began pacing about,stretching his neck as though hunting for someone.

Puzzled, Kaia's brows furrowed as she asked,"Slater, what are you trying to find?" He shot her a quick look but kept silent, still scanning the room.

His indifference deepened Kaia's frown, a trace of irritation flickering in her gaze.

This time, her voice sharpened as she repeated, "Tell me, what exactly are you searching for?"

Finally stopping, Slater turned to her and asked directly, "Where is your elder sister?"

Verena?

A flicker of disdain crossed Kaia's expression before she smoothed it over.

Sitting upright, she replied with a sharp edge, "She isn't home."

Confusion clouded Slater's face as his brows drew tight. "Not home? What reason would she have to be away?"

Watching his obvious concern at the mention of Verena, Kaia's irritation flared, and she snapped,"She's hardly that important. Why should it matter whether she's here or not?"

Slater's tone sharpened as his voice rose. "Of course it matters. The reason we came here today was to meet your sister. How could you say she isn't important?"

His words echoed across the living room, reaching Barrie, who was just stepping through the doorway.

With two firm taps of his cane, Barrie's stern voice cut through the air. "Slater, lower your voice. Where are your manners?"

Slater cast a frustrated glance at Kaia before leaning close to Barrie and whispering, "Grandpa, Dr. Willis isn't here."

Dr. Willis? Alec and Laura, standing near Barrie,caught the words clearly.

A sharp pang of unease struck Alec the moment he heard it.

Laura, on the other hand, brushed it off and beckoned Kaia to her side. Pulling her daughter close, Laura smiled warmly at Slater. "You really do spoil my Kaia. She's still in medical school, not yet a doctor. But she's bright and skilled, and if your grandfather ever needs medical help,you can count on her."