The Plane Tickets He Hoarded The Wife He Hid novel Chapter 67

67 Chapter 67 Only For The Grandfather

Blanche’s POV 1

I noticed Zain’s slight frown when he saw me settling into the back seat.

‘Is she treating me like her chauffeur?‘ Zain wondered to himself.

But with the evening growing late, he chose not to argue and simply drove toward Jacob Manor.

Clutching the gift box, I gazed out at the scenery slowly sliding past the window. I didn’t bother asking Zain about his gift choice, nor did

I question Carry’s absence from the car.

I used to pour my heart into everything for this family, but none of them truly valued what I did. So now, I was putting myself first.

The entire drive passed in complete silence. Neither Zain nor I exchanged a single word.

Midway through our journey, Oswald’s call came through. “Blanche, did Zain pick you up?” he asked.

“Yes, Oswald,” I answered.

“Good, then take your time. Just come back when you’re ready,” Oswald said.

“Okay, Oswald,” I replied softly, dropping my gaze.

After ending the call, I checked the time–it was already getting late. Following his normal schedule, Oswald would be getting ready for

bed soon. But he was waiting for me, postponing dinner.

**

I felt both grateful and worried about having to cook for Oswald the moment I arrived home. If I had to prepare something once we

reached the manor, dinner would be pushed back even more. Fortunately, I only planned to make one dish.

As for the gift, I’d gotten Amara’s help choosing it–a pair of incredibly soft flat shoes. Nothing extravagant, but I’d put real thought into

the selection.

By the time we arrived home, it was already later in the evening. As Zain and I stepped through the manor’s entrance, Ophelia’s bitter

voice carried out from the living room.

“Honestly, Blanche is completely out of line. Does she even know what day this is? Not only did she skip coming home early to help with

dinner, but she had the audacity to show up late and make the entire family wait.

“She obviously has no respect for any of us,” Ophelia complained.

As Ophelia finished her rant, Zain and I walked into the living room together. Besides Ophelia and Donovan, Zain’s sister Tia had already

shown up, but his younger brother Kaden was still missing.

I thought to myself, ‘I’m not the only one who’s late, but Ophelia just loves targeting me, Isn’t she doing this deliberately?‘

When Ophelia spotted Zain and me entering together, she shot me a look so venomous she seemed ready to tear my head off.

But I ignored her completely and turned my attention to Oswald. Walking slowly toward him, I offered Oswald a gentle smile and said,

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“Happy birthday, Oswald. Sorry I’m late. I hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long.”

With a warm smile, Oswald welcomed me. “Blanche, you’re finally here! Come on, sit right next to me.”

Oswald had never been fond of Ophelia, and when she started trash–talking me, he didn’t even acknowledge her existence. Now that I was back, Oswald was clearly delighted, while Ophelia couldn’t mask her irritation, rolling her eyes dramatically.

Oswald practically demanded that I sit beside him.

He studied me carefully and said with genuine concern in his voice, “Have you been eating properly lately? You seem thinner.”

“No, Oswald, you’re just seeing things. I’ve been eating well, really,” I replied, knowing Oswald genuinely worried about me.

Oswald didn’t push back. Instead, he simply said, “Well, make sure you eat plenty tonight. I had Amiya prepare all your favorite dishes.”

My eyes grew slightly misty as I nodded. “Okay, Oswald.”

Then Oswald turned his attention to the obviously annoyed Ophelia and snapped, “Where’s Kaden? Why isn’t he home yet?”

Ophelia was merely the daughter–in–law, and even Donovan wouldn’t dare challenge Oswald. When he spoke, everyone listened.

Being scolded like that, Ophelia felt her dignity bruised. She lowered her head and said sulkily, “I’ll call Kaden right now.” With that, Ophelia left the living room.

After Ophelia exited the room, Oswald shook his head and muttered, “She can’t even manage her own duties, but she’s quick to criticize everyone else’s mistakes.”

I sat quietly, waiting for Oswald to calm down. Once his temper had cooled, I stood up and said, “Oswald, let me go make your favorite

pie.”

Every year on Oswald’s birthday, I used to prepare an entire feast for him, but this year, I hadn’t made anything in advance.

Oswald was always the only one who truly looked out for me, telling me not to spend too much time in the kitchen because it would exhaust me. But because of Zain, I ended up disregarding Oswald’s advice.

But the moment I moved toward the kitchen, Oswald immediately stopped me–there was no way he’d allow it.

“It’s just a pie–does it really matter if we skip it? Just sit here and let the staff take care of you,” Oswald insisted.

I looked at Oswald with gratitude shining in my eyes and smiled. “Oswald, your birthday only happens once a year, and I don’t get to visit home that often. Let me do this for you–it’s just my way of showing how much you mean to me.”

Seeing my determination, Oswald could only give in. “Fine, but I’m only allowing you to cook for me this one time each year, understood?”

I smiled and nodded. “Got it.”

Then I remembered something and picked up the gift box I’d brought. “Oswald, I got you a pair of soft–soled shoes. You can wear them for your walks or when you go fishing. I hope you’ll like them.”

Oswald accepted the box, his eyes crinkling with genuine pleasure. “Blanche, you always choose the perfect gifts. I really love them.”

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I glanced over and noticed the expensive presents on the table. They were priceless collectibles, all gathered for the occasion.

My own gift, however, was the most modest. Oswald kept insisting he loved it, but I knew deep down it was because he cared about me

and didn’t want me to feel inadequate.

Zain had been planted on the sofa ever since we’d arrived at Jacob Manor, head down, fingers flying across his phone screen. I couldn’t

tell if he was actually handling business or just texting Joanna.

I’d noticed him, but it was clear he couldn’t care less about the gift I’d chosen for Oswald.

As for Tia, she didn’t despise me the way Ophelia did, but she wasn’t exactly warm either. Still, she maintained basic politeness. Apart

from greeting me with a quick “Hey, Blanche” when I first arrived, Tia hadn’t addressed me at all.

Ophelia had three children total. Zain was the oldest, while Kaden and Tia were boy–girl twins–Tia was born first, making her the elder

sister.

Both Tia and Kaden were young and still in college. Tia was studying medicine, while Kaden was majoring in finance. But when it came to

academics, Tia was dedicated and hardworking, while Kaden was just cruising by.

Even though they were twins, their personalities couldn’t have been more opposite.

Once I entered the kitchen, the maids greeted me respectfully, softening their voices as they said, “Mrs. Jacob.”

I responded gently, then rolled up my sleeves and began making Oswald’s pie.

Halfway through my cooking, Kaden finally appeared.

He sported dyed hair and small tattoos decorating his arms.

Unlike Zain’s composed manner, Kaden radiated youthful energy mixed with a hint of rebellion.

As soon as he entered the living room, he called out to everyone, “Hey, Grandpa, Dad, Mom, Zain, Tia.”

After his greetings, he looked around and, not seeing me anywhere, dropped down next to Zain, propped his feet up on the coffee table,

and leaned his head back against the sofa.

Kaden looked completely at ease and grinned. “Awesome, Blanche’s in the kitchen again. Looks like I’m getting a real feast tonight.”

Tia kicked Kaden’s leg lightly. “Get your feet down, and stop acting so spoiled. Blanche isn’t Jacob Manor’s personal chef.”

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68 Chapter 68 Ask Your Brother About It