In the butler’s view, Ella was not conventionally beautiful. She didn’t have a palm sized, an ideal body or perfect features. But she had a refreshing kind of charm.
Moreover, the way she held their second master’s arm and clung to it was completely different from how the demure socialites would act, reserved and poised in their actions.
Ella smiled brightly at him.
The butler’s expression morphed into a professional smile, so flawless that one would never guess he’d just mentally dissected her head to toe. ’’This must be Miss Yu?"
This level of professionalism was truly expected from someone working here in the main mansion of the Kings. Ella thought.
In her previous life, she had pushed this old butler away when he looked at her for more than one second and accused him of disrespecting her.
Blame it on Esther’s endless ’pep’ talks. Two full days of, "Don’t take shit from anyone!" had turned Ella into a walking landmine that was easily triggered at any time.
So Ella acted on things right away. Unbeknownst to her, it was the first time Adrian had brought a woman with him and let alone the butler or the servants, every wall in this main mansion was curious about her.
After that, the old butler remained hostile to her till the last time she saw him. However, he still tolerated and respected her for the sake of the old master, old madam and Adrian.
It was only when the old madam passed away did this old man snap at her, calling her ungrateful and listing out all the kindness that all of them had shown her.
Ella had grieved the Old Madam’s passing, quietly, guiltily. But back then, she was too deep in her victim complex to see the pain she left behind and the hurt that she caused others.
Ella recovered her senses, ’’Thank you for receiving us. Please help me keep this,’’ she passed the basket to the old man.
’’I could not manage to pick gifts for grandma on such a short notice so I made some cookies and brownies for her.’’
"The Old Madam will be pleased to have this,’’ The butler’s impression of Ella improved even more.
Nobody noticed how Adrian’s gaze slightly softened when Ella uttered the ’grandma’.
When they entered the living room, an old lady was seated on the couch, her face and posture were dignified and her aura as the matriarch of the King Family was unmistakable.
When she heard the sound of approaching footsteps, she immediately stood up, ’’You are Ella?"
The old lady halted at a distance from Ella, her gaze observing the young girl in front of her.
Complicated emotions arose in Ella’s heart seeing the old lady alive and well. The visual of her lifeless body slowly floated past her eyes.
Regardless of her equation with Adrian, these people have never treated her unkindly. Even when she was heaving her last breath, this old lady did not blame her.
Ella bowed to the Old Madam, ’’Grandma...’’
The Old Madam’s stoic face melted immediately, ’’Come inside, don’t just keep standing there.’’
She stepped forward, held Ella’s hand and led her inside.
Adrian stared at his hand—empty. Then at Ella’s retreating back. Then at his hand again. Still empty.
Ji Yan, who was standing behind, noticed this scene and smiled bitterly. Second Master...you can’t possibly be jealous of even your own grandmother. Right?
Much to Ji Yan’s relief, Adrian calmly followed Ella and the Old Madam without showing much of an expression on his face.
"You probably haven’t had your lunch yet, right? How about we eat first?"
"No, grandma, it’s fine. We can take our time,’’ Ella tried to be modest about it.
However, the aroma of roasted chicken tickled her nostrils, followed by the subtle fragrance of sweet and sour lemon rice. And—
Old Madam laughed heartily.
Ella froze. "That was... not me," she lied, blinking innocently.
Adrian: "Grandma, I’m hungry."
Old Madam’s laughter slowly faded as she looked at her grandson in astonishment.
But it only took her moment to compose herself.
She motioned at the servants, ’’Quick... Serve the food quickly. The children are hungry.’’
Within a few minutes the dining table was filled with a variety of dishes.
And the sight of it almost made Ella drool.
She reached out to pick an entire chicken leg but at the last moment, she hesitated.
Considering her diet, she broke a small piece. Before she could put it in her mouth, the entire leg piece was placed in her plate.
Adrian picked up the spoon and served her some lemon rice by its side.
Ella glanced at him in disbelief. Was this man a worm in her stomach? Out of all these dishes, how did he figure out what she wanted to eat first?
Wait... That was not the point!
’’I can’t have all this... I...’’ am trying to lose weight.
’’Eat more, you look thin,’’ the man cut her off.
After saying that, Adrian diligently started piling the other dishes, little by little, on her plate.
Adrian served her lemon rice with practiced grace, like he’d done this a hundred times. Like feeding Ella was a habit he held dear.
Ella blinked, her heart skipping a small beat.
Naturally, all these things did not go unnoticed by the Old Madam who observed the scene with glowing eyes.
’’Ella, dear, how old are you?" The old lady asked after observing the amiable scene for a while.
"I have turned 22 this year.’’
Old Madam King paused and looked at her grandson in surprise, ’’It seems that you are 7 years younger than Little Ian."
Adrian paused and looked over at his grandmother.
"What?" Old Madam blinked, ’’You didn’t tell her about it? These things cannot be hidden forever.’’
Ji Yan’s soul almost left his body.
No, no, no! The Second Master had just gotten back into Ella’s good books and now the Old Madam was out here dropping bombshells like it’s her hobby?!
Ji Yan would not be surprised if his Second Master got paranoid about Ella’s stance and left the main mansion with her right away.
The thought made him hold his breath as he turned to look at Adrian.
A/N: If you Chapter, please take some time out to write a review~ Your words mean a lot to me <333