Chapter 360
We exchanged a glance. Soren tightened his grip as if afraid might run away and then approached the old man.
“Grandpa? Good morning! I’ve come with my girlfriend,” he called softly, smiling.
William sat up straight, studying us with sharp, shrewd eyes. His face held a commanding presence, the kind that came only with experience.
“Good morning, sir. I’m Taylor Jones.”
William smiled. “Your stories precede you, my dear.”
“I hope they’re the favorable kind.”
“They are. I remember you from more than a decade ago a little girl with the bravest heart and spirit. You saved Ren’s life twice! He’s never forgotten you.”
He pulled the blanket off his lap.
Soren quickly moved to help him up.
“Back then, we came to thank you in person, but we only saw your grandmother,” he said, smiling. “I heard you were hiding in your room!”
William’s memory was impressive, and his mind remained sharp despite his age.
I nodded. “You’ve got a good memory, sir. I saw a few soldiers through the crack in the door and got nervous. Grandma did say you were a kind man, though, and had brought many gifts.”
He chuckled and waved us inside. “Come, let’s get comfortable.”
Soren helped him into the house and shot me a smile.
His smile seemed to say, “See? I told you he likes you.”
I exhaled in relief. Maybe Soren was right.
Once inside, Soren handed William the gift from me. “Grandpa, Taylor got this for you. It’s Monet’s ‘The Cliff Walk at Pourville.‘ Where should we hang it?”
I scanned the living room. His walls were adorned with paintings of every kind–like an art gallery. Would he really like this one?
William examined the painting. “Oh, this is a good one. Where did you find it?”
I remembered seeing similar works at auctions. “We got it at an auction. Soren mentioned you appreciate fine art.”
“Thank you.”
I shot Soren a sidelong glance, a sense of suspicion creeping in.
William probably knew it wasn’t my idea.
The maid arrived and poured coffee for us.
Soren helped William settle into his seat before standing next to me. “Take a seat, Tay. Don’t be so tense.”
I shot him a glare. How could I not be tense? The entire house felt overwhelming, and the old man across from me had once been a five–star general–his presence still carried that weight!
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Chapter 360
William sipped his coffee and spoke casually. “So, I hear your family’s been through some troubles.”
