I've Been There Before (Grace and Caden) novel Chapter 178

“Come with me, Mr. Venus.” As Sam was about to close the gate of the mansion, a voice rumbled behind him and his hand which was holding the doorframe gave an indiscernible tremble. The black shadow behind him passed by him and strode to the outside before he could turn. Sam immediately followed the shadow quietly with his head slightly lowered while keeping a distance of less than one meter from the slender figure before him.

Both the master and the butler strolled around the mansion and headed to the mansion’s backyard.

Their path grew darker when they went deeper into the forest, and the towering trees at both sides of the path made the night seemed creepier. Not to mention it was already winter. A profound silence prevailed over the dried woods and the sound of bird flapping its wings and occasionally jumping between the twigs of the withered trees was heard, followed by the snapping sound of twigs.

Anxiety clasped Sam and sweat was flowing down his calm wrinkled face at a winter night like this. He could no longer maintain his composure and asked, “Mister, where are we going? We’re going to reach the brook if we go deeper inside.” There was a moderate-sized brook situated behind the garden of the Shaw Manor and the brook was viridescent with splendid views during the day. Yet during the night, it was eerie on sight. Sam shuddered and his face went slightly pale, not dare to take one more step further.

The person in front of him turned. His leg coincidentally stepped on a twig and snapped it when he turned. “Uncle Venus.” Caden spoke yet he did not address him as ‘Mr. Venus’ like he used to but ‘Uncle Venus’ which he had not addressed him that way for a long time.

Sam was startled. After three seconds, he quickly waved his hands and replied courteously. “Oh no, you shouldn’t address me like that!”

Caden’s long eyelashes lowered. He hid his thoughts behind that pair of black eyes of his and spoke rather gently. “There must be already ten years when Uncle Venus officially became my butler, right?” His voice was soft. Sam nodded humbly. “There’s been quite a long while. I feel glad that mister still remembers it until now.”

“Hmph---Uncle Venus has been by my side for more than ten years. I have a question for you. If both grandpa and I are asking you to do one thing each, and the things we ask you are completely opposite to each other, how would you choose? Uncle Venus.” Caden’s long eyelashes were raised and his deep, black eyes were locked on the old servant before him.

Sam felt his mind had blown. What did that mean? Why did mister ask him this out of the blue? Thoughts jumbled in his mind yet he did not reply instantly, and Caden’s black eyes had grown gloomier. Caden took a deep breath and made a decision. “Uncle Venus, according to the house rule of the Shaw family, there’s still more than half year left before you officially retire. Starting from tomorrow, there would be someone continuing your job. For the sake of our relationships in the past, you can enjoy your retirement in this manor for the rest of the half year time, and everything would be done by someone else.” Color drained from the old butler’s face and he asked anxiously, “Mister! What have I done wrong? I…I don’t agree!”

Caden took a cigarette from his inner pocket and lit it. He took a sip and glanced at the sky. There were disappointment and grudge in his eyes. A mouthful of smoke was contained in his oral cavity and it lingered on at the entrance of his throat. He then exhaled it slowly and his glimpse swept past Sam blandly from the corner of his eyes. “Uncle Venus, you hate Grace James. Right?”