Ashley heard Andrew's voice and realized that he was right behind her.
However, at the thought of what he said to her, she did not turn around to acknowledge him.
"How could you two keep something of this magnitude a secret from me? If you hadn't come back in such a hurry yesterday and Richard hadn't found out about it and told me, would you have kept the information to yourselves?"
Ashley hung her head and said in a contrite voice, "Grandpa, I'm so sorry. It's all my fault."
Andrew interrupted Ashley and said, "It was I who didn't want to tell you the truth."
Andrew's reply sounded so ridiculous to Chant that he burst out laughing.
"Sit down and explain it clearly to me."
Ashley looked at Chant and was reluctant to sit down.
"Grandpa, I need to find my daughter."
"She is also my great-granddaughter. Do you know where she is right now? Do you know whether she wants to go with you or not? Do you know what her current family situation is like?"
Ashley was silent.
She didn't know the answer to any of those questions.
But they were talking about her daughter. She just wanted to get her back.
"Have a seat first. I'll spare some time so you can look for her."
"Okay, let's eat first,"
Andrew said, leading Ashley by the hand to the table so she could finish the breakfast that she walked out on earlier.
Ashley didn't say a word. She slowly ate her breakfast, choking on her mouthful of food every once in a while, and Andrew solicitously patted her on the back.
"I'm fine,"
Ashley gasped as her face turned red.
When Andrew reached out to touch her, she unconsciously pulled back to give herself some distance from him.
Andrew pulled Ashley into his arms and asked, "Are you still mad at me?"
"No, I am not mad at you. Why would I be? She is my daughter, and I can look for her myself."
Andrew could read between those lines and felt helpless.
She was still angry at him, after all.
Andrew said, "I'm not saying that we should stop looking for her, but your health is still the most important, no matter what happens. Let's finish breakfast first, and then I'll go with you to find the child, okay?"
"Really?"
"Yes."
Chant knew what they were thinking. After breakfast, he just sat on the sofa and looked at the two of them quietly.
After a few moments, he asked, "Now, who would like to tell me the whole story? What happened to my great-granddaughter? Why is she with another family?"
Ashley opened her mouth to speak, but Andrew stopped her.
"I will tell you what happened."
Tangyuan's disappearance had driven a stake into Ashley's heart and haunted her ever since.
He didn't want her to recall that event five years ago, as it would end up putting her through a difficult time again.
Andrew gave Chant a concise version of the event.
"Five years ago, one of Ash's two babies was taken away right after birth. She has been looking for her since. We've never been able to find her until last night."
Chant was speechless.
However, he knew Andrew well enough to know what he meant.
"That child is with the Mo family now?"
"Yes."
Chant stroked his beard, lost in thought.
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