I'm Afraid I Won't Be Able to Leave

Chapter 154: Chapter 154: Welcome Home, Second Miss

"What? A business trip? Third Master Keating went on a business trip now of all times!"

Ethan Shaw felt like he must have misheard. ’Leah left, and Asher went on a business trip?’

"Yeah, it was a last-minute decision. Young Master Shaw, our Young Master... what’s wrong with him? Ever since Leah left the office, he’s been working like a man possessed. He’s lined up a ton of plans, scheduling business trips and meetings all the way to the middle of the year. Did they get into a fight?"

"I don’t think it was a fight... it was a fucking breakup! Leah went back to Kingsford. Fuck! What the hell is going on?"

"WHAT?!?!" Sean Yates was so shocked he almost dropped his phone.

"Keep a close eye on Third Master Keating! I’m buying a plane ticket to Marlake right now."

Ethan Shaw was still extremely worried. After hanging up, he received a text from Leah, but when he called back, her phone was off.

Soon after, a call came from Riley Sterling. He had also received a message from Leah. After comparing notes, they both started to panic. Ethan told him to calm down and that he would go find Asher first.

After hanging up, Ethan slammed his fist on the steering wheel in frustration. The blare of the horn made Sheila Hughes cry out, "Third Master Keating went to Marlake?"

"Yeah! Damn it, what’s Leah’s problem? So she’s the second daughter of the Grant family now, big deal! Does she think she can just dump our Third Master Keating like that?" Ethan cursed while frantically booking a flight.

"Hey! Watch your words! Leah said she didn’t break up with him! And she’s not that kind of person. She’s just... she’s just really confused right now." Sheila Hughes remembered what Leah had confided in her, but ultimately kept it to herself.

"Confused, my ass! I say it’s because she’s the second daughter of the Grant family now, and she’s ready to trade up!"

"You!"

Sheila was too furious to speak. She wrenched open the car door, got out, and stood beside the car, yelling, "Ethan! It’s not like you just met Leah yesterday! Is she the type of person who’s materialistic and vain?"

"Every single one of you only thinks about things from Asher’s point of view, but you never once considered her situation! I’ve been with Leah since she was at her most insecure and timid. I know what kind of person she is better than anyone! You have no right to say that about her!"

After saying her piece, Sheila fiercely slammed the car door shut and stormed off.

Ethan flinched as he watched her slam the door of his car, which was worth over two million.

He had just been seeing red. Sheila’s words shocked him back to his senses. Leah definitely wasn’t a materialistic person; otherwise, she could have just stayed with Morgan Sterling back then.

But he couldn’t worry about that now. He bought a plane ticket and raced to the airport. Asher might look fine on the surface, but Ethan knew he had to be suffering.

’He’s twenty-eight, and he’ll be twenty-nine after the New Year. This is the first time Third Master Keating has ever liked a girl this much, and he gets dumped?’

「Kingsford.」

The plane landed. The moment Leah stepped out, she felt a wave of cold. She pulled her clothes tighter around herself as Mabel Grant took her hand. Mason Grant and Brandon Jacobs walked behind them.

Mabel Grant led Leah back to the villa. The moment they walked inside, they were greeted by rows of servants, each holding various items. In unison, they called out, "Welcome home, Second Miss!"

Leah froze in place. She found she couldn’t bring herself to step inside. Mabel smiled and gently pulled her in.

The house was warm inside. The decor wasn’t as opulent as the mansions Leah had seen in TV shows; instead, it was rather understated and elegant. Mason pointed things out as they walked, eventually leading her to what would be her room.

Leah’s room was on the third floor, separated from Mason’s by two walk-in closets. Mason pushed the door open, revealing a newly decorated interior.

Mason watched Leah nervously. "Sis, Mom started having this decorated the moment she found out you were alive. I don’t know if you’ll like the style, but if you don’t, just say so. We can change it!"

The room was decorated in the currently popular "starry night" theme. The color palette was a soft, warm yellow, and piled on the bed was a collection of stuffed animals and dolls any girl would love.

Looking at the toys, Leah couldn’t help but let out a small smile. But her thoughts immediately drifted to the room she and Asher shared at Europa Gardens. She remembered how she had gradually replaced its initially cold, impersonal decor with things that made it feel warm and cozy.

She closed her eyes, forcing back the dampness welling up. "It’s great. I like it a lot."

Mason silently breathed a sigh of relief. Mabel, now changed into casual clothes, walked over. "Well? Is there anything you don’t like?"

"Mom, Sis said she loves it," Mason said happily.

Mabel’s own worries also eased. She stepped into the room. "Tomorrow, I’ll have someone sort out your official records and transfer them under my name. The name ’Leah’ is lovely, so we’ll just change the surname. Leah Grant. After that, you can come take a look at the company. You studied architecture, didn’t you?"

"I... want to study abroad."

"Abroad?" Mabel raised an eyebrow.

"Yes. I was originally planning to go to graduate school, but... things happened. So now, I’d like to continue my studies."

Mabel lit a cigarette, watching her daughter in silence. After a long moment, she finally spoke. "You want to go study so you can come back and help Third Master Keating sooner, don’t you?"

"Yes."

Leah didn’t deny it. She lifted her head and met Mabel’s gaze calmly. "You call me the second daughter of the Grant family, but I know that’s just a title. After all, half of my blood is from the Sterlings."

"I have no interest in the Grant family’s assets, and I don’t want to get involved. I only agreed to come back with you because I want to become stronger on my own. This empire you’ve built belongs to Mason."

"Sis! What do you mean, ’yours’ and ’mine’? You’re the second daughter of the Grant family, not the Sterling family! You’re my sister!" Mason cried out, flustered.

"Hah. Are you blaming me?" Mabel suddenly laughed, but a hint of sorrow touched her eyes.

"I wouldn’t dare."

"Fine. Have it your way. Mason is in Eldoria. Figure out where you want to go and let me know when you’ve decided." Without another word, Mabel stood up and left the room.

"Sis, I know you’re upset about leaving Third Master Keating because Mom made you come back, but... Mom really didn’t mean it like that," Mason said, trying desperately to explain on Mabel’s behalf.

"Mason, I’m tired. I want to get some rest."

Seeing that Leah didn’t want to talk, Mason could only retreat to his own room, frustrated. Leah sat on the sofa, staring blankly out the window.

Brandon Jacobs knocked on the door. "Leah, may I come in?"

Leah snapped out of her daze and stood up to open the door. "Uncle Jacobs, please come in."

Brandon had also changed into casual clothes. He walked in slowly. "Did you and your mother have a fight?"

"No."

Brandon sat down. After a moment of silence, he spoke. "Leah, how about I tell you the story of your mother and father?"

Leah was taken aback, but Brandon didn’t give her a chance to refuse. He had already begun to speak in a gentle tone. Through his story, the image of a young Mabel Grant began to take shape in Leah’s mind.

Back then, Mabel was about the same age Leah is now. She had been beautiful since childhood—not just pretty, but truly beautiful. And in her twenties, she was even more so.

Combined with her background as part of the Grant family, the line of suitors pursuing her could have circled the City of Riverfall several times over. And she had known people like Tobias Sterling, Thomas Sterling, Theodore Keating, and Timothy Keating since they were all children.

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