Chapter 291: Another Invitation

Chapter 291: Chapter 291: Another Invitation

Vivian Lowell was a little choked up after hearing the story.

She never imagined that so much had happened to the parents she had never met.

Her parents had grown up abroad, accustomed to its prosperity, yet they chose to return to Veridia over twenty years ago, when many of its cities were still undeveloped.

’That’s true love for their homeland!’

But some people in the Drake Family, caring only for their own interests, had been responsible for her parents’ deaths!

"They..."

Vivian Lowell sniffled, her eyes red. She looked at Mr. Drake and asked, "Where are they now? I want... to go see them."

"There’s no rush for that."

Mr. Drake had gradually calmed down. He said to Vivian Lowell, "Even though they passed away so many years ago, there are still people keeping an eye on anything related to them."

"For your own safety, you can’t go yet. Besides Joy Drake, who’s an obvious threat, there are other forces within the Drake Family that I need to divert my attention to and keep in check."

"You can’t show up there for the time being, or you’ll arouse their suspicion."

"Shelly Lowell’s appearance was perfectly timed. Right now, many people in the Drake Family are quite opposed to me finding my real granddaughter!"

Vivian Lowell understood instantly.

Shelly Lowell was the person Joy Drake found. Joy Drake wants to seize power in the Drake Family and can use Shelly to achieve many of her goals, but those things...

...are certainly things the other branches of the Drake Family don’t want to see happen.

Mr. Drake could use this to wear down the strength of Joy Drake and her allies. He could also use Shelly Lowell as a shield to protect Vivian Lowell’s safety!

’And maybe...’

’Mr. Drake could also hold the fact that "Joy Drake planted a fake granddaughter by my side" over her head. He’d have a legitimate reason to deal with Joy Drake in the future.’

’As expected of Mr. Drake!’

’This whole affair is basically going according to his plan!’

"I understand."

Vivian Lowell quickly figured everything out.

Perhaps it was because of their blood ties, but she felt a deep empathy for her parents. After learning about their devotion to their country, Vivian Lowell admired them greatly and felt they were a source of pride!

Although Vivian Lowell found it a pity that she couldn’t go pay her respects, she knew there would be plenty of opportunities in the future.

Once everything was over, she could go with Julian Faulkner and tell her parents that she was living a good life now, with a husband who cherished her.

And they had children now. Her parents’ spirits in heaven would surely be comforted.

’Her parents were just such warm-hearted and kind people!’

The thought of her parents’ fate saddened Vivian Lowell, but she accepted it. She knew they wouldn’t want her to lose heart and fall into despair!

"Mr. Drake."

As she thought this, Vivian Lowell’s expression turned serious. "Everything we agreed upon before still stands. If there’s anything you need my help with, just let me know."

"I’ve already lost so much. You’re a cherished family member to me now, and I hope you’ll always be well."

Mr. Drake nodded upon hearing her words.

He assured her he would.

After resting for a while, Vivian Lowell had mostly recovered her strength.

She then set off again, heading up the mountain with Eleanor Rhodes and her family.

The journey wasn’t long. After a short climb, Vivian Lowell reached the summit, where she saw Henry Sterling once again.

Henry Sterling was helping register the hikers. He would record the names of anyone who made a charitable contribution to the event.

Of course, there were also some "kind souls" who preferred not to disclose their names, and Henry Sterling certainly wouldn’t force them. In any case, this was a charity event, and it all came down to individual generosity.

Vivian Lowell also went over to register.

When she and Eleanor Rhodes went up, Henry Sterling took some bottles of mineral water from a box on the side and handed them to Eleanor and Vivian.

"Have some water. The climb up must have been tiring. It’s good to rest for a bit."

Henry Sterling was very gentle, and his eyes held a hint of a smile as he looked at Eleanor Rhodes.

Seeing him like this, Eleanor Rhodes paused, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. When she noticed that everyone who reached the summit was being given a complimentary bottle of water, she accepted it.

’Since everyone’s getting one, I guess there’s no problem if I take one.’

"Thank you."

Eleanor Rhodes thanked him politely, still keeping her distance from Henry Sterling.

But Henry Sterling was quite happy to hear Eleanor Rhodes finally speaking to him again. He asked with a broad smile, "The university is organizing a charity lecture next week."

"It’s an event organized by the Animal Protection Society to raise awareness. I imagine you, as the former president of the society, wouldn’t miss it, right?"

Henry Sterling extended his most sincere invitation.

He seemed like someone who was simply very enthusiastic about doing charity work, making it hard for Vivian Lowell and Eleanor Rhodes to refuse him again.

It was all about public education. When they first founded the society, Vivian Lowell and Eleanor Rhodes had made many promotional brochures, hoping to get more and more people interested in protecting small animals.

As it turned out, the students at Aethelburg University were of high caliber, and Vivian Lowell and Eleanor Rhodes’s efforts had been very effective.

Later on, the society began holding similar awareness events every year, and the two of them, as graduated seniors, would occasionally be invited back to help.

In the last two years, however, they had gone back a little less often because they were so busy with their veterinary hospital.

Eleanor Rhodes remembered seeing a promotional poster for this charity lecture before; after all, she was still in the group chat!

It was just that Vivian Lowell had been so busy these past few days. The matters concerning the Drake Family had distracted her, and she had almost forgotten about it!

And then, Henry Sterling had reminded her.

Honestly, if Henry Sterling hadn’t reminded her, Eleanor Rhodes might have really forgotten. If anyone else had told her, she definitely would have gone, but the person telling her was Henry Sterling!

Eleanor Rhodes puffed out her cheeks, a little reluctant to agree.

But she could also see...

...Henry Sterling knew her well. He must have guessed that she would most likely want to go anyway.

’He’s so devious.’

Eleanor Rhodes thought to herself, sighed, and asked, "What day is it?"

"Next Wednesday at eight in the evening. Are you free? If not... I can send you the relevant materials after the event is over!"

Eleanor Rhodes shot Henry Sterling a look.

’If he did that, they’d still have to interact anyway!’

"Fine."

No matter how she looked at it, Eleanor Rhodes couldn’t refuse, so she had no choice but to agree.

Thankfully, that marked the end of the day’s hike. She and Vivian Lowell could finally go home.

On the way down the mountain, Eleanor Rhodes, driven by curiosity, asked about the Drake Family matters.

After all, Vivian Lowell and Mr. Drake had been talking mysteriously for a long time. Eleanor also noticed that her best friend’s state of mind didn’t seem very stable!

Even if it was just out of concern, Eleanor Rhodes felt she should ask.

Vivian Lowell thought for a moment and decided to tell Eleanor Rhodes everything. She spared no detail, holding nothing back.

’That’s what best friends are for.’

There were no secrets between them.

As expected.

Just as Vivian Lowell had thought, Eleanor Rhodes was saddened but quickly pulled herself together. She encouraged Vivian, saying, "You still have me."

"It’s not just Julian Faulkner behind you, you have me too. If there’s anything I can do to help, just tell me."

"Okay."

Vivian Lowell agreed, and the group took the cable car down the mountain.

At the mountain entrance, just as everyone was about to part ways, Vivian Lowell saw a few familiar faces.

To be precise, they were old "friends."

It was Joy Drake, Hazel Drake, and Shelly Lowell.