Chapter 47
Audrey looked down at the water stains on the floor that led to the bathroom. She frowned and remembered the bruises she saw on Harper’s wrist.
A suffocating idea floated in Audrey’s mind. Was she being bullied at school?
Audrey stood at Harper’s door, pressing her lips together. Her mind was in a mess. Eventually, she returned to the kitchen to get started on dinner.
Harper got changed and dried her hair, then strolled into the kitchen.
When she saw Audrey washing the vegetables, she helped her. She explained in sign language that she fell while carrying a bucket of water at school and had wet her clothes. So, the teacher had told her
to leave early.
Harper’s eyes were clear and bright and didn’t look gloomy. Audrey felt relieved. She returned to the vegetables.
“I’ve told your teacher that you won’t be at school tomorrow. We’re going to Cloudmill. You’re transferring to Cloudmill Junior High School next semester and there’s an interview tomorrow. If you pass the interview, you’ll need to do a few placement tests. But with your grades, you’ll get into one of the top classes.”
Although Harper couldn’t speak, her hearing and other traits were good. So, the school still demanded to an interview with Harper to assess her condition.
Harper nodded and told Audrey not to worry.
Audrey saw the anticipation in her eyes. She smiled and touched Harper’s forehead to hers.
She was going to take good care of Harper so Anne wouldn’t have to worry about them.
On Friday, Harper went for the interview at Cloudmill Junior High School.
While Audrey waited for Harper at a coffee shop near the school, she called and reserved a private room at a restaurant. She planned to treat her colleagues from the laboratory to a meal that afternoon.
As she sent the invitation in the group chat, a middle–aged man in a business suit stood in front of her. He gave her a name card, and said, “Hi, Ms. Yeomans. Mr. Lambert wants to see you.
The name on the name card was “George Lambert“, Audrey’s biological grandfather.
She was stunned. She looked up at the man in front of her. He had a warm smile on his face.
She started, “You are …”
“I’m Mr. Lambert’s assistant. My name is Edward Zook.” Edward stepped aside so Audrey could walk
ahead. “Please.”
In her memory, she had only seen George when he left in a car with her biological mother. George
hadn’t even looked at her at the time. She wondered if he wanted to see her now because the show had affected her mother.
Audrey followed Edward to a car parked on the side of the road. She was filled with doubts and
worries.
Edward opened the rear passenger door. George was sitting in the backseat.
He was wearing a gray woolen coat and his hair was combed and neat. His legs were crossed and he was wearing a pair of glasses. He looked like a gentleman, but his many years in business circles had made him look like an intimidating dignitary.
Audrey held her bag tightly and stooped to get into the car. The driver and Edward waited outside the car, leaving the private space to Audrey and George.
Audrey didn’t know what she should call him, so she greeted him primly, “Hello.”
George didn’t even look at her. His expression was solemn.
“Have you ever considered going abroad?” he asked in a stern, cold voice.
