"Your father is actually a really kind person. He didn't want to be ruthless," Grace said as she cast him a glance while she heaved out a sigh and said, "If he knew this was going to happen, he wouldn't have shown her mercy. However, what can we do? It's not like we can rewind time or foresee the future."

"He should have known that a woman who seduces a man wouldn't be a decent woman to begin with," Gary said.

"I don't agree with that. What if Celeste was to seduce you one day? Won't you replace it interesting and exciting?"

Gary was taken aback. He raised an eyebrow and said, "Celeste would never do that. She isn't someone who will take the initiative."

"Not even occasionally?" Grace asked, "Not even once?"

Gary rolled his eyes. "Are you trying to trick me?"

Grace burst into laughter. "Why are you so sensitive? I'm just asking." "Fine, I'll admit it. That might happen, but it isn't enough to explain why Heinz showed Cindy mercy back then," Gary insisted. "I can understand when it was the first time that he didn't want to be ruthless, but what about four years ago? We have already gotten Celeste's custody. We should have taught her a lesson."

"Four years ago, when Cindy moved in next to us, we immediately moved here. I thought it was already teaching her a lesson. Moreover, we only showed her mercy for Celeste's sake. If we were to be ruthless against her, what would Celeste think of us? We would only be putting Celeste in a difficult situation," Grace explained.

Gary was also startled. It was indeed a troublesome matter. At that time, Celeste was still extremely grateful to Cindy. It was indeed not an appropriate timing for them to take any action.

Sighing, Gary asked, "Mom, what charm does Heniz have, and what did he do to make you to be so protective of him?"

"Well, what's Celeste's magic that attracted you so much then?" Grace asked back.

They stared at each other.

Gary's eyes revealed a hint of helplessness. "I think you're just partial to him."

"Of course I am. He's my husband, the man I love deeply. Who else would I be partial to if not him?" Grace admitted it generously for having a deep sense of affection for Heinz.

"See, you've already acknowledged it. You just can't stand people talking bad about Heinz, right?" Gary asked.

"Yes, especially you. How can you still call him by his name after so many years? You are not showing him any respect." Grace nagged.

Gary wiped his nose and stood up. "Celeste should be ready by now. I'll go back upstairs to shower and change, and I'll see you later at dinner."

Gary would either avoid the topic or play dumb whenever Grace brought it up. She felt helpless about it too.

She couldn't figure out why he refused to call Heinz his father after so many years. What would be so wrong about that?

Looking at his tall build, she noticed that he was no longer a boy, but instead a grown adult who was seeing someone, and even almost becoming a father himself.

Grace sighed in her heart. Perhaps when he really became a father, only could he finally understand Heinz's feelings.

Gary returned to his room upstairs. After walking in, he noticed that Celeste already had her shower and even got dressed. She had even blown dry her hair.

"Go and take your shower now and get dressed soon. We are going down to have dinner with Uncle Jones and Aunt Smith, so don't keep the entire family waiting for you," Celeste said gently as she walked up to him after he returned to the room. "I already got your outfit ready for you inside, with your towels too."

Gary smiled at her and said, "You're right. I was talking with mom downstairs just now. If you feel bored waiting here, you can join her downstairs. I'll be fast."

Celeste was startled. "Is she alone?"

"Yes, she is." Gary nodded.

Celeste nodded immediately. "Then, I'll go keep her company. You go take your shower now."

The next second, Celeste was already tying her hair up as she went downstairs.

Noticing her reaction and how hurriedly she went down to accompany his mother, Gary could tell how important his mother was to her.

It seemed that Celeste was already treating Grace as her own mother.

She grew up without a mother. She didn't even get to see her biological mother. To her, Cindy was her only family member, and yet she was also the one who indirectly caused her mother's death. Celeste's mind must be a mess right then.

Thinking of what Celeste had to go through, Gary's heart ached deeply for her. He wanted to protect and love her.

Grace might be a better mother compared to Cindy. That was also why Grace won Celeste over easily.

Of course, Celeste was already grateful to the Jones family to begin with, and that was why she was exceptionally respectful to Grace too.

That, with every factor added together, had formed the big picture. Everything was related in a way.

Celeste soon arrived downstairs. She sat next to Grace as she saw her and asked, "Why are you here alone?"

"I was looking for you, yet I ran into Gary instead. I nagged him for a while and he ran upstairs," Grace said with a smile. She then took Celeste's hand and smiled at her. "Celeste, you look thinner now." Celeste was startled as she touched her own cheeks, "Do I? However, I don't realize it."

"You do look thinner." Grace believed that she must have had a lot in her mind after learning about what was going on with Sinclair and Cindy.

"I do take my meals regularly," Celeste explained seriously. "I even eat more than before."

"What about your sleep then?" Grace asked.

"Sleep?" Celeste's face turned red upon thinking of that.

She and Gary had been doing that on a daily basis. Gary was exceptionally active and wouldn't even feel tired, and she would always fall asleep without noticing.

Aside from being worked to tiredness by Gary, she hadn't been experiencing insomnia at all.

"I never had insomnia," Celeste replied honestly with her face red.

Grace smiled after taking in her shy expression. It seemed like things between her and Gary were going just fine. She then said, "That's good to hear then. You should rest well and eat well. Take good care of your body, and don't burden yourself with anything. All right?"

"Sure, I'm not burdened at all." Celeste shook her head and replied obediently, "You don't have to worry about my feelings regarding Sinclair's and Cindy's matter. Although I can't say I'm not bothered at all ove this, Gary had done his part to talk some sense into me. Now that you and Heinz are here in London, I just feel like I'm the luckiest to have met you all. The love and energy your family had given me are incomparable to what my biological parents had to offer even if I had them. I am really blessed."

Her gaze was fixed on Grace as she said that. She looked serious yet peaceful.

There was no running away from the matter.

That was what she gathered after her selfreflection.

She felt that she was indeed not someone with a tough mind, and she did rely on the Jones family.

However, deep in her heart, she knew that she shouldn't feel ashamed because of that.

She knew that she had to change her mindset if she wanted to get stronger, as her capability was limited. She had to strengthen her weaknesses.

She had to ignore what others had to say about her.

As long as she kept her gratitude for those who loved and helped her, as long as she remembered

them, then it would be sufficient.

During her shower, she told herself to not worry much and to just appreciate what she had right

then.

She had to be contented.

Unlike Cindy, Cindy didn't know how to be contented.

The same was for Sinclair too. They could have achieved much more in their respective fields if they knew how to appreciate and lived a better life, if they were grateful for what they had. Yet, they got rid of their bottom line and got themselves involved in the scandals.

They had lost everything, including their dignity.

They would face their punishments sooner or later.

That was why Celeste had to be disciplined and strengthen herself.

Looking at her honest and peaceful expression, Grace was relieved too.

It seemed that she was worrying too much. Celeste was capable of adjusting her own emotions and mindset.

"I'm really relieved to hear you say so." After thinking for a while, she held Celeste's hands tightly. "I've learned a lot from my recent years. In fact, your strength is entirely determined by your own mindset. Others can only help you so much, and what happens around us are not determinative either."

"I understand." Celeste nodded with a smile obediently.

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