Five Years Wasted Now They Beg Her Back novel Chapter 231

Seeing the sharp look in Marianne’s eyes, Julian knew he wasn't going to get anywhere today.

He shot his uncle a venomous look before scrambling to his feet and running away in disgrace.

Mr. Clarke stared at the empty doorway and let out a long sigh.

“Marianne, wasn’t that a bit too harsh?”

“Harsh?”

Marianne picked up the apple again and cut a small piece to feed Martin.

“Honey, he’s a lost cause. If you help him, you’ll only bring ruin to the Clarke family.”

Mr. Clarke chewed the apple in silence.

***

At the courtyard house in a quiet, historic neighborhood downtown, the atmosphere was completely different.

Damien had changed out of his sharp suit and was now in a set of gray loungewear.

His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, revealing strong forearms.

He was sitting at a large, square wooden table, clumsily trying to make dumplings.

The results looked more like buns or shumai.

Anything but dumplings.

“Oh, Damien,” Grandma said, sitting beside him and chuckling.

She seemed much more energetic than she had been back home.

“There’s too much filling. The skin is about to burst.”

“Is it?”

Damien frowned, studying the lopsided, overstuffed creation in his hand with a serious expression.

Grace emerged from the kitchen with a plate of freshly boiled dumplings, and she couldn't help but smile at the scene.

“Mr. Clarke, everyone has their specialty. I think you should just wait to eat.”

She set the plate down, and the fragrant steam of savory pork and scallion dumplings wafted through the air.

Damien looked at her smiling face, his heart warming.

Without bothering to wipe the flour from his hands, he reached out and gently tapped Grace’s nose.

“How dare you laugh at your husband?”

A small white smudge now dotted the tip of her nose.

“Grandma, look at him!” Grace said, covering her nose as she complained to her grandmother.

“Alright, alright. Grandma will give him a little tap for you,” she said, laughing as she lightly patted Damien’s arm.

The small courtyard filled with laughter and joy.

After dinner, Damien’s phone rang.

It was a call from the Clarke family estate.

Damien answered, and his expression changed slightly.

“Grace.”

Her grandfather’s voice was heavy, infused with an unprecedented seriousness.

“Come here.”

Grace’s heart skipped a beat.

She walked over apprehensively and sat on a stool beside him.

“Grandpa, what’s wrong? Are you not feeling well?”

Her grandfather’s brow was deeply furrowed. He hesitated for a long time before finally speaking.

“You and that Damien… how far have things gone?”

Grace was taken aback, her cheeks flushing slightly.

“Grandpa, why are you asking this…?”

“Tell me the truth!” he snapped, slamming his hand on the table.

Grace flinched, startled.

She had never seen her grandfather so angry.

“We… we got married,” Grace said quietly, her head bowed.

“About… about three months ago.”

Upon hearing this, her grandfather’s hands began to shake violently. His lips trembled for a long moment, but no words came out.