"I don’t mind telling you that I actually do have connections that could smooth things over for you concerning Sophie Baker’s situation..."
Upon hearing this, James Campbell’s face suddenly lit up with joy, ready to say something, but he heard the Old Master continue:
"However, don’t get your hopes up. Why would I use my connections on such shameful matters, not afraid of tarnishing my own reputation?"
The Old Master’s scolding caused James Campbell’s heart to tremble once again, and he felt even more desperate.
He had been running around all day, and the officials either avoided him outright or, if they did meet with him, simply exchanged pleasantries. No matter how he hinted, they just wouldn’t take the bait.
And many of these people he sought out were former subordinates of the Old Master. They would definitely help if the Old Master just said the word, so why wouldn’t he help?
Anger and resentment burned in James Campbell’s heart, believing it all to be Elly Campbell’s doing, hating her even more, wishing she were dead.
But at this moment, he didn’t dare to show such thoughts on his face, not even slightly.
"Dad, Sophie is your own granddaughter. Can you truly bear to not care for her?"
"You good-for-nothing! If I had a granddaughter who was a criminal, I would’ve had her executed long ago!"
Old Master Campbell pointed at James, bellowing fiercely, "Stop dragging my name through the mud. The daughters of the Campbell Family are only your two sisters and Elly. How could some illegitimate child born of some unsavory woman qualify as a granddaughter of Henry Campbell? Get out of my sight immediately, or I’ll break your legs!"
Before Elly Campbell and Adam Jones, James Campbell was scolded by Old Master Campbell like a dog, his face alternating between shades of red and white, a truly pitiful sight.
Even with no expression on Elly’s face at that moment, James felt like she was mocking him internally.
"Fine, fine. If you don’t want to acknowledge Sophie as your granddaughter, then don’t recognize me as your son either!"
With that, he stormed out, seething with rage.
"Grandfather, there’s no need to get upset over this kind of person. It’s not worth damaging your health,"
Elly gently patted the Old Master’s back, consoling him.
But the Old Master smiled softly and said, "I stopped considering him my son a long time ago. It’s best that he’s gone. How could I possibly be angry over such a brainless fool?"
With that, he started walking upstairs but halted halfway, suddenly remembering something, and turned to Adam Jones:
"Adam, come up and join me for a game of chess."
Adam Jones, just having seen the Old Master intending to rest upstairs, was worried he might be sent away by Elly, but now hearing the Old Master inviting him for chess brought an immediate spark of joy, and he readily agreed:
"Of course, Grandfather."
Watching Adam Jones help the Old Master up the stairs, Elly Campbell, standing in the hall, wore a slight look of concern.
She glanced at the darkening night sky outside.
Although it wasn’t particularly late at that moment, she didn’t know how long the Old Master would keep Adam playing chess, and what if it got too late and the Old Master insisted on Adam spending the night?
With this thought, Elly furrowed her brow once more.
Back in her room, she decided not to dwell on Adam’s situation; after all, she would have to return to Alaska first thing in the morning. Why bother with such concerns?
After taking a bath, since it was still early, Elly picked up a book from the bookshelf and sat down on her bed to read.
She wasn’t sure how much time had passed when there was a knock on her door.
Without giving it much thought, Elly got up from her bed to answer it. However, when she opened the door and saw Adam standing before her, one hand casually resting on the door frame, the other hand beaming a smile at her, her expression darkened.