Chapter 87: An emperor in a wheelchair
"Grandpa", Vera greeted her face paled and her gaze not meeting his. She did not expect to find Elder Allen behind her. His posture was straight, his hands clasped behind his back, and his sharp, calculating eyes rested her.
He had been watching her, observing every move, yet she hadn’t even noticed his presence. She felt embarrassed and silently cursed Jessica.
Since her arrival into the house nothing seems to be going in order. She felt she will never be able to finish settling the scores with her for every embarrassment she has felt.
She forced a smile, trying to regain her composure. "Grandfather," she greeted with forced politeness, willing her voice to stay steady.
Elder Allen didn’t respond immediately. His gaze remained fixed on her, cold and assessing. Then, after what felt like an eternity, he finally spoke, his voice calm but laced with hidden weight.
"Vera," he said slowly, "what exactly are you doing here at this hour of the night?"
Her mind racing in trepidation while her head spinned for an answer but then noting came forth... The old man’s gaze intensifying.
"I want ...to talk to her...but... but she is gone to bed" she stammered out. Grandpa, see you tomorrow", she murmured.
Vera hurriedly disappeared into her room, her retreating figure betraying the turmoil within her. His sharp eyes lingered on the closed door for a moment before he let out a deep sigh.
He had seen it—the flicker of emotions in her eyes, the slight tremor in her voice, the hesitance in her words. Anger. Frustration. Jealousy. But more than all that, he sensed an overwhelming bitterness clinging to her like a shadow.