Chapter 481

"He visits that place every year. Someone important to him is there." Evelyn Roland explained softly.

Beatrice Valentine's eyes flickered with recognition. An old flame?

He still remembered?

She gazed at Evelyn with grandmotherly affection. "Evelyn, I truly adore you."

Evelyn casually took her pulse. The elderly woman had been sustained by vengeance for her son's death, maintaining decent health through sheer willpower.

Now that the matter concerning Adrian's father was settled, that driving force had dissipated. Her vitality had visibly declined.

The weak pulse confirmed Evelyn's fears. Beatrice seemed to have lost the will to live.

Evelyn's heart clenched. "Grandmother, you must take care of yourself. You haven't seen Adrian settle down yet, nor held your great-grandchild. You just said living is what matters most."

Beatrice smiled faintly. "I've lived long enough. Only you children worry me now."

She didn't elaborate, fearing to burden Evelyn with excessive sentimentality.

Evelyn gripped her hand tighter. Only Adrian could motivate Beatrice now.

"Grandmother, Adrian still faces many dangers. Will you abandon him?"

"Those threats can't touch him anymore."

Beatrice lowered her eyes, shadows crossing her face. She'd known wealth and privilege, experienced true love in her lifetime.

With a devoted father and filial son, she should have no regrets.

Yet her only child had died young, leaving only her grandson behind.

Seeing Beatrice sink deeper into melancholy, Evelyn grew anxious. Treating elderly patients who'd given up on life was notoriously difficult.

"Grandmother." Evelyn understood Beatrice had resisted waking after fainting the previous night.

Beatrice opened her eyes slowly, their usual sharpness clouded over.

The sight pierced Evelyn's heart.

"Evelyn, promise you'll take care of yourself." Suddenly, Beatrice seemed slightly more alert, her gaze clearing momentarily.

"Grandmother, you haven't seen me find happiness yet. Didn't you say I was like your own granddaughter?" Evelyn kept her tone light, refusing to let Beatrice surrender.

"Indeed, I've always considered you family, but..." Beatrice sighed heavily. "I have no unfinished business left."

Her grandson had grown into a capable man. Her sole regret was his divorce from Evelyn.

"Grandmother, don't you want to witness our happiness? We haven't even had our wedding yet. You can't leave like this."

Adrian finally spoke up. Having been protected by Beatrice since childhood, he couldn't accept her slipping away like this.

He'd anticipated this moment—once his father's death was avenged, Beatrice would lose her reason to keep fighting. When his grandfather passed, she'd wanted to follow him then, only staying for revenge.

Evelyn shot him a silent look. How could he say such things?

She hadn't agreed to reconcile.

She still had her own path to walk.

Beatrice's eyes suddenly brightened, darting between Evelyn and Adrian. She genuinely wished they'd reunite—for the Valentine family's stability.

And Evelyn had always been her ideal granddaughter-in-law.

The thought energized Beatrice visibly. She grasped Evelyn's hand urgently. "Evelyn, have you truly forgiven this foolish boy?"