After returning home from Capital City, Alder Locke became quiet and withdrawn, locking himself in his room and no longer idling around outside all day. In just a few days, he had lost a significant amount of weight.
Watching her son become increasingly emaciated, which mother wouldn’t feel heartbroken?
Originally, he had vowed to bring his fiancée home before New Year’s Day, and a few days ago, he even called home to have everything prepared, but now...
Emma Reynolds had heard about the kidnapping case in Capital City too. Although she was unclear about the kidnappers’ motives, thankfully, it was a close call with no harm done.
After discussing with her husband, she urged him to make another trip to Capital City to talk with the Zane Family and find out why they had backed out of their agreement.
Max Locke, still serving in the military, was more aware of the kidnapping incident than the rest of the family. After listening to his wife, he indifferently advised that it’s best not to force things.
Just like back then, he had given so much for Nicole Zane, yet she said that she adored and idolized a man, but what she needed was a husband to live life with!
Even though she was battered and bruised, she still followed that man without looking back.
Really, who can control matters of the heart? More than thirty years have passed, and he still holds a small place in his heart for Nicole Zane.
Moreover, that man was willing to risk his life for Titus Zane, a feat that made his son, Alder Locke, pale in comparison.
With her plea to her husband bearing no fruit, Emma Reynolds then turned to the old man, pleading, "Dad, Alder is the only child in the Locke Family. Can you bear to see him so dejected? Just look at what Alder has become now, always locking himself at home, if this continues he might fall into depression..."
Emma Reynolds sobbed softly. Although she was frustrated with his shortcomings, Alder was her only grandson, and the old man treasured him deeply, which is why he had agreed to Alder’s relationship with Titus Zane.
He immediately picked up the phone and called Samuel Zane.
"... Samuel, didn’t we agree to settle the children’s matter before the New Year? Why take back your word again... Since returning, Alder has contracted a severe illness, locking himself in his room, refusing to eat or drink... Alder is my only grandson... It was also your Zane Family who broke off the engagement back then..."
For his grandson’s sake, the old man did not hesitate to bring up the past, all to ensure the Zane Family would not go back on their word. After all, the Locke Family had genuinely suffered because of Nicole Zane, both publicly and privately, and the Zane Family owed them.
"Don’t worry, old Locke, in a few days, I will bring little Titus over personally!" Sure enough, Samuel Zane immediately solemnly promised.
This year’s Spring Festival was coming late; after New Year’s Day, there was still a month and a half to go, enough time to prepare for a wedding.
On the phone, the two elders agreed to set the engagement first and invite more media friends to the engagement party, greatly publicizing the wedding event so that later they would not be able to go back on their word.
Nathan Moore’s injuries had mostly healed, and he was able to get out of bed and move around on his own, not needing to do any heavy lifting, so he planned to find a time to talk with old Mr. Zane, to discuss bringing his wife back.
That day, Titus Zane returned to the mansion to retrieve some clothes for changing. Samuel Zane suggested that his granddaughter accompany him out for a walk to clear his mind. Despite her unwillingness, Titus Zane couldn’t refuse and ended up getting into the car, only realizing they were headed to the airport and boarding a private plane when Samuel Zane finally revealed the "truth." Alder Locke was seriously ill... They would visit him and return soon.
Already on the plane, it was too late for Titus Zane to back out. Before the plane took off, she sent a text to Nathan Moore. Not wanting Nathan Moore to misunderstand, she told him directly: Alder Locke’s illness was severe, and she was accompanying her grandfather to Banyan City to visit.