Chapter 126: A Close Call for His Late-Life Reputation
Chapter 126: Chapter 126: A Close Call for His Late-Life Reputation
After two months of practice, the Donovan family had grown accustomed to their joyful new routine of stumbling upon gossip anytime, anywhere. Hearing the familiar opening line, they were a little excited on the inside but managed to keep their faces perfectly composed.
In contrast, Dennis Donovan—who prided himself on having seen it all—was witnessing such an inexplicable phenomenon for the very first time. He instinctively tightened his grip on the head of his cane, trying to suppress his shock.
Arabella Donovan didn’t notice everyone’s odd reaction. She stared at that Miss Quillan for a good while, feeling she needed to confirm more details before reaching a conclusion.
"Mom, what does our grand-uncle do? I don’t think I’ve ever seen him before, and I haven’t heard you mention him."
Mrs. Donovan’s mouth twitched. ’Aside from Lillian Donovan,’ she thought, ’didn’t you meet all our other relatives for the first time at your birthday party? What’s so strange about a distant relative you’ve never met suddenly popping up?’
That’s what she thought, but in order to get the freshest gossip, Mrs. Donovan cleared her throat and answered truthfully, "Your grand-uncle retired a few years ago. Before that, I believe he was in heavy industry investment."
’Heavy industry investment? That’s a bit broad. Isn’t there any more specific information?’
Although Dennis Donovan was old, his hearing was as sharp as ever, and he had already caught most of the quiet chatter between Arabella Donovan and her mother. With a slight shift of his eyes, he smiled faintly and said, "Of course. We’re all family, so I’ll be direct. The reason I’ve put my old face on the line to ask your family to take me in is mainly because I felt an instant connection with this child, Serena. I was thinking that while I’m in Stroven City, perhaps I could ask her to act as my guide and accompany me around town."
The Donovan family, who had already seen through his little scheme: "..."
’Showing him around is probably just an excuse. The real reason is he wants to follow our youngest and get in on the gossip anytime he wants, right? I just wonder if the gossip will end up being about him.’
"You are our elder, so I have no good reason to refuse your request. However, we only just brought Serena back to Stroven City a little over two months ago, and not long ago she spent nearly a month in Jarden. So, all told, she’s only been in Stroven City for a little over a month. She hasn’t had a chance to go anywhere yet, so I’m afraid she wouldn’t be a very suitable guide."
Dennis Donovan laughed. "Isn’t that perfect? She’s not familiar with Stroven City, and neither am I. We can explore together and share our thoughts on the fly. As for your concerns, we can just hire another guide. It’s not a big deal."
The Donovan family, rendered speechless by Dennis Donovan’s audacious maneuver: "..." ’What the hell? That’s an option?’
Arabella Donovan was a beat slow to react because she was busy thinking about the plot, but she now understood what was happening.
’What’s going on? Is he really here for me? But I’ve never even met him. That whole "instant connection" thing... what a terrible excuse. Nobody would buy that, right?’
The Donovan family: "!!!"
"COUGH COUGH COUGH... COUGH COUGH COUGH..."
Arabella Donovan’s inner rant was interrupted by a sudden, violent coughing fit next to her.
"Mom, are you okay? Did you choke on something?"
"I’m fine, I’m fine. I just drank too fast and it went down the wrong pipe. I’m much better now."
"...Oh. Be more careful then."
"Mm..."
Mrs. Donovan forced a smile, but her attention was fixed on the old gentleman across from them, afraid he would be offended by Arabella’s rudeness.
Unexpectedly, not only was Dennis Donovan not the least bit angry, he actually looked even more pleased.
"I heard about Serena’s situation from a few of her uncles before I came. The child was adrift out in the world and inevitably suffered some hardships; it’s a good thing she has been found. Still, young people should get out and see the world, explore its vast beauty on their own two feet. You have to see that there’s always a bigger world out there to realize how different the scenery beyond is from what’s right beside you."
Dennis Donovan changed tack. "How about this? After we’ve toured Stroven City, Serena can come back with me to Brynn for a visit. Your grand-uncle’s house is at Number 9, Vistagrove Avenue. There’s a huge landscaped park right next door. Residents can bring guests in without buying tickets, so it’s the perfect place for a post-dinner stroll."
Dennis Donovan’s words carried a double meaning. He was letting the Donovan family know that he had already learned about Arabella’s special nature from other relatives before he arrived, that he had no ill intentions, and that there was no need for them to be so guarded. At the same time, he brought up his home address, subtly revealing more information for Arabella to identify.
Sure enough, as soon as Dennis Donovan finished speaking, Arabella Donovan’s eyes lit up.
’Vistagrove Avenue... It’s in the very heart of Brynn, where every inch of land is worth its weight in gold. Legend says it’s where the dragon meridian lies, surrounded by ancient palaces, the manors of princes, and former imperial gardens. Ordinary people need a ticket just to enter, but Grand-uncle actually lives right inside? And what a coincidence, he lives at Number 9, Vistagrove Avenue!’
The Donovan family already knew Dennis Donovan came from a powerful background, so they weren’t particularly surprised by this string of exclamations from Arabella. What intrigued them more was why Arabella repeatedly mentioned "Number 9." Did it have some special meaning?
’So, Grand-uncle really is the legendary Master Donovan? The one who can supposedly make all of Brynn tremble with just a stomp of his foot, whose name alone is enough to intimidate countless dignitaries?’
Mr. and Mrs. Donovan were stunned for a moment. They subconsciously turned to look at Dennis Donovan, their eyes asking, ’Do you really have a nickname like that?’
Dennis Donovan’s hands were crossed over his cane. Hearing this, he couldn’t help but fidget uncomfortably.
’This grand-uncle of mine is connected to a suspenseful novel about household intrigue. The female lead is none other than Audrey Quillan, the caregiver currently with Dennis Donovan. And the male lead? That would be the once-formidable Master Donovan.’
The moment Arabella dropped that tidbit, every Donovan in the room shot a look at Dennis Donovan, as if to say: ’I can’t believe you’re that kind of person, Grand-uncle! At your age, getting involved in a cradle-robbing romance with such a young girl!’
Dennis Donovan understood their meaningful glances, and the hand gripping his cane began to tremble. ’How is that possible...’
’My heart already belongs to someone else, so how could I possibly fall for another? Especially not some wet-behind-the-ears young thing who could be my granddaughter! Absolutely not!’
’Oh, of course, by "male lead," I don’t mean he has a romantic relationship with the female lead. It’s purely because his part in the novel is second in size only to hers. After all, it’s a suspense novel about household intrigue. It’s all about "household intrigue," and since the "household" in question is his, how could he not be the male lead?’
’As for Grand-uncle and Miss Quillan, their relationship is purely that of an employer and employee, with a bit of misguided affection mixed in—you know, the "love me, love my dog" type. It’s an innocent, grandfatherly affection where he’s projecting his feelings for an old acquaintance onto her.’
The Donovan family: "..." ’Ahaha, so that’s what it was. Awkward.’
Dennis Donovan: "..." ’This young girl... can’t she say things all at once instead of dropping bombs like that? An old man like me with one foot in the grave was about to have his reputation completely ruined and his integrity questioned in his final years because of her!’