’Why did he do that?’ Bella feels curious.
"Grandpa, I’m happy to hear that. The countryside is better for you to retire..." Bella paused for a half-smile before continuing. "But, Grandpa, why did Old Sinclair move there?"
"Ah, it seems you don’t know!?"
Bella nodded.
"After you divorced, Old Sinclair was furious. He scolded them to let you go just like that without even telling him anything. And because of that, he decided to return to his hometown, and he didn’t even want to meet his son and Tristan..."
Hearing this news, Bella was utterly shocked. At that moment, she didn’t know whether to feel happy or sad. She was glad that Old Sinclair was on her side, but she was also sad to know he had to live alone in the village, far from his family.
"Grandpa, I feel sorry for him—" Bella didn’t know how to continue her sentence. She could only take a slow breath while turning her gaze outside, trying to hide her teary eyes.
****
While at Lake View Village.
Tristan arrives at the enormous white Victorian Era-style villa. When he parks his car, a thin man with glasses politely greets him.
"Alan, where is Grandpa? I need to see him," he said to his grandfather’s butler.
"I’m sorry, young master, but the old master still refuses to see you."
"Oh, come on... it’s been four years. How often do I have to ask for his forgiveness before he forgives me?"
Alan didn’t say anything. He just lowered his gaze. He feels sorry for him.
Tristan pinched his eyebrows in thought. Moments later, a faint smile appeared on the edge of his lips; he looked at Alan again.
"Alright. If Grandpa still refuses to see me…then….tell Grandpa... she’s back!"
Suddenly, the door opened.
A man in his late seventies appeared behind it. He was standing tall, looking out at the windows.
"Who’s that? Announce yourself, or I’ll call security." His voice was deep and firm, sounding like a leader.
Tristan smiled secretly as he saw his grandfather. It had been four years since their last meeting, but he looked as healthy as he saw him the last time. The only difference was there were fewer wrinkles then. He stood with his back straight and seemed to be in good fitness.
"Grandpa, your daughter-in-law," in a low and soft voice.
"Don’t try to trick me, brat!" warned Lewis Sinclair, who now turns to look at Tristan with his sharp blue eyes. However, Tristan grinned even more. He knew his plan to meet and chat with his grandfather had succeeded — tell him some information about Bella.
Tristan was amazed by his grandfather. Because he was only interested in talking about Bella or with Bella standing next to him. Any other subject wouldn’t interest him if Bella wasn’t there.
His Grandpa was even angry with them and decided to move to this remote area and close the door to him and his parents. He would refuse to meet them even if they came and begged to see him.
At first, Tristan had thought that, with time, his grandfather would forget about the incident. However, it turned out he was mistaken. Even now, his grandfather’s attitude towards the matter remains the same. He stands up for Bella and blames Tristan for divorcing her without first consulting him.
"Grandpa, forgive me if I hurt your feelings when I let Bella go, but I learned from my mistake. I will never do that again. Please trust me." Tristan didn’t give his Grandpa a chance to say anything back. He walked closer to him and gestured for him to enter the house. "Let’s talk inside about Bella... It’s cold here, not good for your health."
Alan nodded at Tristan’s words, "Old Master, what Young Master Tristan said is correct. It’s better to continue your conversation inside," he said worriedly.
Tristan gave Alan a thumbs-up as he followed his grandfather inside.
...
Tristan and his Grandpa sat facing each other without saying anything. However, Tristan was busy gazing at the frozen scenery outside.
"If you come here only to enjoy the scenery, you might go now," Lewis Sinclair’s words snapped Tristan out of his thoughts. He turns at his Grandpa and flashes his smile.
Lewis doubts Tristan will tell the truth since he can’t trace Bella’s current address after the latter claimed she ran out of the country.
When Lewis asked his best friend, Isaac Donovan, he also confirmed that Bella had indeed left the country, and by now, she had never contacted him either. This stressed him. If only he knew Bella’s location, he would fly there and ask her to return to the Sinclair family.
"Grandpa, I would not dare to lie to you. Well, she’s actually landed today in this city."
Lewis’ eyes narrowed at Tristan.
Tristan laughed heartily at his grandfather, who refused to believe him.
"Grandpa, if you don’t believe me, you can call Old Donovan. If I’m not mistaken, Bella is meeting her grandfather now," Tristan said. He found out Bella’s car visited Promise Hospital after he asked Max to tail them via public CCTV footage on the streets.
Instantly, a smile appeared on Lewis Sinclair’s face. This is what he wanted to hear.
Lewis believed his grandson would not lie if related to Isaac Donovan. He immediately took out his cell phone to call Isaac. However, right before he dialed Isaac’s number, his fingers stopped hearing Tristan’s words.
"Brat, why you stop me!?"
"If I may suggest, Grandpa, it’s better not to contact him now. If Bella finds out you know she is in hospital, she might run away again. And who knows where she would go next…" Tristan explained.
"Hmmm….You’re right..." Lewis immediately put his cell phone on the table. He will wait till noon to contact Isaac.
"Grandpa, why don’t we return to the capital city?" Tristan was worried that his grandfather would live alone with Alan in this remote place.
What concerned him was this Lake Village was far from the city. If something happened to him, it would take them some time to get here.
But if his Grandpa still refused, he planned to build a helipad here for quick access.
"I won’t come back until you bring Bella back to our family," said Lewis Sinclair in his clear and deep voice, enough to make Tristan’s face stiffen.