With Davis out of the house, Jessica took her time to explore the estate. Though the surroundings were familiar, she felt the need to reacquaint herself with every corner as if seeing it for the first time.

While she toured the compound, Deborah kept her company and in a calm and steady voice she explained a few details of the estate to her–including areas where she made a few changes herself.

After the tour, Jessica returned to her room, took a refreshing bath, and enjoyed a warm brunch.

Her new phone had been restored with her files, and the sight of pending orders waiting to be attended to gave her a strange sense of normalcy.

She had barely powered on her laptop when her phone buzzed, slicing through the silence of the study. She picked it up with a soft sigh.

"Richard," she murmured softly.

"Are you up?" his voice flowed through the speaker, a teasing tone in his voice.

Jessica scoffed. "Who stays in bed at eleven?"

Richard chuckled at the memory of her pregnancy days. Jessica would always tell him to handle every task either she was sleepy, or she was tired, and other times she was putting some people in their place.

Her calm voice brought him back to the present. "What's up?"

"What's up?" Jessica's calm voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

"The Clarence auction comes up tonight," he said.

Jessica's hand tightened over the phone before releasing.

"What are the items available?"

"I guess we have to take a trip to find out. Though, I have already sent a few of them to your mail." Richard's calm voice slithered through the phone.

"Alright, pick me up at eight tonight."

"Shouldn't you inform Davis of your intention of going to the auction?" Richard probed.

"I will inform him. Besides, my purpose of going to the auction is business related, and I believe he isn't unreasonable not to understand." Her lips curled with a smirk.

Still, she couldn't help imagining his reaction when she told him. Maybe he'd say: You're too weak to attend.

She rolled her eyes inwardly.

"That's okay," Richard said lightly, changing the subject. "How are you coping with the twins?"

"They're wonderful. I still can't believe I woke up to find myself a mother to such beautiful dumplings."

"Sorry I missed your welcome dinner. Davis informed me but…" His voice trailed off.

"That's fine. Honestly, it probably helped."

They chatted a little longer about the auction, exchanged instructions, then ended the call.

Jessica leaned back in her chair, her gaze drifting into the distance in contemplation.

For years, she had searched for a particular piece of jewelry, and Clarence House now seemed to be her last hope.

"I just hope it won't be another futile trip like in the past," she muttered.

~Julian's estate~

Julian stood by the window, his gaze in the distance, lost in thought. Maxwell walked up behind, his composure respectful. "Sir, the auction is tonight. Are you still attending?"

He turned around to meet his gaze. "What do you think?"

Maxwell swallowed hard. He handed over his tablet to him.

"These are the items to be displayed. What should I prepare for?"

Julian studied the items carefully, his lips curling up lightly. "She deserves the best. Let's go for this," he said as he zoomed in on a delicate diamond necklace.

Maxwell nodded and turned around to leave when Julian's voice echoed behind him again. "Did you manage to get your hands on the invitations?"

"No sir," Maxwell responded as he turned around.

"Anyway, forget it. When we get there, we decide." Julian smirked. Maxwell nodded and left to arrange both the fund and necessary items for the auction.

Julian took a deep breath as he walked back to his chair and settled down, his thoughts swirling. Just then his phone rang, breaking through the silence.

One glance at the screen softened his sharp features. The name "Grandma" flashed across. He answered with rare gentleness. "Grandma."

Lady Matilda's voice soft and gentle came through the speaker, flowing like warm water. "How are you doing?" she asked.

Her voice was calm and peaceful unlike the voices he had grown to know in the Anderson family.

A voice that only had to remind him of duties, responsibilities, family name, and glory that should never be let down.

This voice felt both refreshing and relieving probably it wouldn't be wrong to say — healing.

"I'm fine," he answered, though the word felt hollow, not quite sure if that was the best answer.

He wasn't used to being asked how he was faring by anyone but rather had grown only to receive instructions to carry out from home.

Sometimes it was a project to be secured, and at other times it was a company to suppress.

At some point, he would feel frustration clawing over his chest, but with this new grandma, it felt different.

Since their meeting, he had grown accustomed to her call waking him up every morning to ask him about his night.

At noon, she became worried if he had his breakfast or lunch, and at other times she had the chef deliver his meal from the Santiago's home.

Julian couldn't help but wonder why he hadn't met her earlier. Maybe his life wouldn't have been this hard.

It was quite relieving having a grandmother to care so much for him.

He couldn't help the bitterness clawing at his chest at the loss of his mother without an opportunity to meet her…Maybe she might have also treated him differently.

While his thoughts drifted, Lady Matilda's voice snapped him out of his daze. "When are you coming over with your sister?"

"Is something going on?" he queried softly.

"The documents are ready. You have to sign your part," she said.

Julian's heart raced. "Grandma, I think you have to wait a little more. I have to discuss it with my sister before making a decision," he answered.

"Alright, I will be waiting then," she said gently.

After the call, Julian rubbed his throbbing temple. He couldn't bring himself to sign those shares when the Anderson family had treated the Santiago's so badly.

Over the years, he had a good number of fallouts with his paternal grandmother for her requesting him to pressure the Santiagos when in truth they had no business tie or link.

"That was Lady Matilda?" His father's voice echoed behind him.

"Yes," Julian clipped as he downed the wine in the glass on the side table.

"I hope there's no problem?" he asked.

Julian nodded, but then he stood up, meeting his father's gaze. "Dad, isn't it yet time to settle your difference with the Santiago's family?"

Josh Anderson sighed softly. "I already had that in mind, but I was just thinking of the right moment to visit her."

"Dad, even at this time of the truth glaring right into your face, you still delayed a simple matter on the excuse of waiting for the right time?" Julian drawled, his frustration seeping into his voice.

He couldn't help the thought that his father might be doing this on purpose. Years back, he couldn't pursue his dream of securing his engagement and marriage to his mother.

Yet, when he discovered he was being played by his family, he didn't make any move and was unable to protect her.

Even now, in Country Y, the Santiagos are close by, and with no matriarch to dictate the rules, he still couldn't atone for his mistake.

Julian couldn't help but wonder if his father was ever worthy of his mother. Given a choice, he would have accused him of his mother's death.

"Julian, I understand how you feel, but it is not just a simple matter. I have offended Santiago's family so much." Josh tried to explain, but Julian spurned on his heel as he left the room.

His words spilled over as he took the stairs. "Inform me when it is the right time."