The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 685

Robert couldn’t help glancing at Anthony, suspicion flickering in his tired eyes. Was this really Anthony’s grandmother? Or had Anthony just found someone to play the part, hoping to trick him into handing Lottie over?

Before Robert could figure it out, a piercing ringtone shattered the silence. Everyone turned at once, searching for the source.

Charlotte pulled out her phone. When she saw “Grandma” on the screen, her expression softened. She answered, her voice gentle and obedient. “Grandma.”

Grandma?

Anthony’s eyes narrowed too. He had only texted Patricia to say the Gates family knew about him and Lottie. It was one thing for her to send over a truckload of birthday gifts without a word, but why the sudden phone call?

Charlotte listened for a moment, then nodded and handed the phone to Robert. “Grandpa, Patricia wants to talk to you.”

Patricia?

Robert froze, mind blank for a second. He took the phone quickly, his tone uncertain. “Hello?”

In all his years, Patricia was the one person Robert truly respected. In her younger days, she had been a force in Astoria’s financial world. After losing her husband, she’d raised two sons and a daughter on her own while running the business he left behind, turning it into a thriving company.

She only stepped back when Anthony took over the Blair Group. Since then, she’d enjoyed a comfortable retirement. Under Anthony’s management, the Blair Group skyrocketed in just two years, becoming a major financial powerhouse in Astoria and making waves all over the world. No one could touch their status.

Anthony was speechless. So was everyone else.

“Anthony’s parents have met Lottie too—they adore her,” Patricia continued. “Robert, I promise you, the entire Blair family will stand by Lottie. We’ll never let her be treated badly.”

Robert couldn’t get a word in. By the time he finally had a chance to speak, he realized Patricia’s words had completely put his last worry to rest.

He’d been afraid that, since Anthony was the future heir, the Blair family would be overly picky about their future daughter-in-law. He never expected Patricia to be this warm and straightforward. Her words made it obvious—she really liked Lottie.

“To show our sincerity, I’ve had a small gift prepared,” Patricia said, her tone light and friendly. “Please accept it. If there’s anything confusing about it, Anthony can explain.”