It was rumored that Lady Jennifer went to the office, crying and begging Dylan not to stay away from home, imploring him to return for meals and stay the night as usual. It seemed that he indeed went home these few days, but he always returned home very late, nearing midnight in fact. He would then spend the night before leaving early the next morning.
Dylan sat down beside Lola. At this, Logan shifted his gaze between them both. For some reason, Old Mrs. Constance’s remark earlier came to mind. On a closer look, the two of them truly make quite a good match. A hint of unease rose within him, but he couldn’t figure out exactly why he was feeling discomfited.
While they were eating, William asked whether Owen was at home. Dylan pursed his lips. “No idea. I came here straight away.”
Judging from his answer, he probably came back earlier today yet didn’t want to go home. Thus, he came over here to have dinner with us. William sighed, but he couldn’t say anything to persuade him otherwise. He’s actually a very obedient child, so he must have been bottling his dissatisfactions for too long a time considering the magnitude of the fit he’s throwing now.
During dinner, Dylan didn’t even look at Sophia, his gaze seemingly never leaving the immediate area before him.
Ignorant to the chaotic state of affairs, Logan inquired about William’s work. Then, he even surreptitiously asked Dylan whether he had a girlfriend. Everything was fine before this, but the moment his question was heard, the atmosphere at the dinner table turned tense.
Dylan stilled at once. A brief second later, he replied, “No.”
Upon hearing this, the expressions of those who were in the know changed several times. Looks like Owen didn’t manage to convince him otherwise, they thought.
Murmuring an acknowledgment, Logan nodded. Subsequently, he said nothing further, instantly plunging the dinner table into silence.
A few seconds later, Matilda chuckled. Looking at Lola, she changed the subject. “Why did you resign? Generally speaking, it’s rare that someone in your profession would leave the job.”
Lola nodded. “I was injured previously. It happened a few times during the past few years in my line of duty, so my family objected out of worry.”
“It must have been difficult for you as a girl,” Matilda lamented when she heard her reply.
Chortling, Lola answered, “Actually, it wasn’t so bad. Many of the male colleagues in my team risked life and limb, pushing their families to the back of their mind for the sake of the greater good. Compared to them, I feel as though I’m a deserter.”
Beside her, Sophia shook her head. “That’s not true. You’ve already done your best, but sometimes, there are just too many things to consider. After all, everyone has parents and siblings, so one can’t wholly ignore those people’s feelings.”
Lola nodded. “My father persuaded me multiple times. In the beginning, I demurred, but he almost went to his knees later.” Her voice had turned gruff at this point.
Inhaling deeply, she then continued, “I was injured during a mission back then, and I almost didn’t survive. At that time, my grandmother couldn’t take the news, and she collapsed. My father said that her heart would definitely give out if something were to happen to me. Then, he asserted that he, too, wouldn’t be able to take it if he were to lose two people at the same time, both the young and the old.”
When Old Mrs. Constance heard this, her expression turned poignant as well. “Your father’s view wasn’t exactly wrong. After all, one would have to make different choices upon attaining a certain age.” After saying that, she then asked Lola what she was currently doing.
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