Hayes Hughes seemed to be walking, and he suddenly stopped to greet someone—maybe a patient or a colleague.

Mia Grant was still waiting for his answer, her heart twisting in agony.

After starting his job, Hayes only ever returned to Portia for major holidays. Otherwise, he spent most of his time in Jynsia.

Other than coming back to Portia to see Mr. Hughes... he had no other reason to be here.

At that thought, Mia nervously ran a hand through her hair. "Second Brother? Second Brother!"

On the other end of the line, Hayes Hughes heard her voice and paused for a moment before signaling a nurse to go on ahead. He would be there shortly.

He changed direction and took his hand off the receiver. "I’m here."

"Mia, what did you just say? Sorry, I didn’t catch that. I just ran into a colleague. I have to go do my rounds in a bit."

"Oh, I was just asking what you’re coming to Portia for, Second Brother."

"Coming?" Hayes stopped in his tracks.

"Ah, no. I mean, what are you *going* to Portia for."

...

Hayes lowered his gaze, his long lashes hiding the emotion swirling in his eyes.

After a few seconds of silence, he said with a laugh, "Grandfather called. He said he hasn’t seen me in a while and wanted me to come back for a meal."

"By the way, Christmas Eve is coming up. Do you have any plans?"

"I think... I do. I’m supposed to go to the amusement park with my roommates."

"Okay." Hayes was always like this, agreeing to whatever she said. Even though he really wanted to ask her out that day.

He would never put her in a difficult position.

And he would never expect her to change her plans for him.

"Alright, then. I’m going to do my rounds. We’ll talk later."

"Okay~" Mia agreed.

The call ended, and Mia let out a long breath.

’Looks like I can’t go downstairs tomorrow,’ she thought.

Fortunately, Hayes wouldn’t be staying here for too long.

One night at most.

The hospital was just too busy; he rarely took long vacations.

That evening, Mia went downstairs early to wait for Mr. Hughes to have dinner.

Hearing footsteps, she quickly stood up. Her movements were so light they didn’t make a sound.

"Good evening, Grandfather."

She clasped her hands in front of her and gave a slight bow.

Mr. Hughes’s gaze lingered on her for a few seconds before he looked away. "Sit."

"There are no outsiders here. No need for so many formalities."

Right. It was just the two of them tonight, grandfather and granddaughter. Simon Adler was not present.

Apparently, he was working overtime.

Taking a deep breath, Mia waited for Mr. Hughes to be seated before sitting down herself.

She sat in the same spot as she had that morning.

"So, how did it go? Who did you meet today?"

As the butler served the dishes, Mr. Hughes didn’t pick up his chopsticks right away. Instead, he started asking Mia about the blind date.

Mia sat up straight, turning slightly to face the head of the table, and answered obediently, "I met with Miss Iris Cameron this morning. We went to an art exhibition and had lunch nearby."

"Miss Cameron has a wonderful personality. She’s lively, cheerful, and very likable." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

"And do you think she’s a good match for your big brother?"

Mia hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

"Why?"

Mr. Hughes asked.

Mia’s lips parted, but before she could formulate a reply, she heard Mr. Hughes’s voice, tinged with amusement. "Because her personality is a lot like yours?"

"Huh?" Mia’s eyelashes fluttered.

When she looked up, Mr. Hughes had already picked up his chopsticks.

Even at his age, Mr. Hughes maintained an elegant composure while eating. He chewed slowly, and the clinking of his bowl and chopsticks was barely audible.

He didn’t seem at all like the ruthless patriarch of the Hughes Family from the rumors—the one who was swift and decisive in his youth, with a supposed homicide to his name...

"Your personality is also very likable. Iris Cameron just graduated from college, so she isn’t much older than you. Since Silas likes you, he could naturally like her too."

"That’s your reasoning. Am I correct?"

...Meeting Mr. Hughes’s clear, dark eyes, Mia felt as if her little schemes had nowhere to hide.

"It’s a good reason." Mr. Hughes didn’t seem to think there was anything wrong with it. "That’s why I said you should be the one to choose. You’re the one here who knows his preferences best."

"Because no one knows you better than yourself."

"When it comes to finding a substitute, you have the most say."

...

Perhaps it really was because Simon Adler wasn’t here that Mr. Hughes could finally say what was on his mind, things he hadn’t finished saying that morning.

His words were blunt, raw, and laced with sarcasm.

Fortunately, Mia was mentally prepared and didn’t have much of a reaction.

As far as she was concerned, as long as Mr. Hughes didn’t say something like, "I want you dead, right now," she couldn’t care less about anything else.

Who Silas Grant went on dates with, who he entered a marriage alliance with—she didn’t want to know, and she didn’t want to care.

Right now, her life was paramount.

’I just hope that while I’m saving my own skin, I can also protect his dignity.’

’Anything else is just noise.’

’Of course, if it came down to a choice between the two, and I could only save one...’

’I would contact Zelo without a moment’s hesitation.’

’If necessary, I would even put a bullet through Mr. Hughes’s heart with that gun.’

’The villain hasn’t even died yet. Why should I be the one to die?’

’Besides, I’m the "savior" of this novel!’

’Anyone can die, but not me!’

"Big Brother just likes lively personalities. It’s not like there’s only one option."

The implication was clear: Silas didn’t need her and only her.

Mr. Hughes understood her hint and let out a pleasant chuckle.

He said nothing more and continued to eat elegantly.

Before long, he set down his chopsticks and gently dabbed his mouth with a napkin.

Mia did the same.

"Is that all you’re eating, Grandfather?"

"My appetite isn’t great in the evenings." Mr. Hughes cleansed his palate, then raised his eyes. The smile he directed at her was just as benevolent as it had been that morning.

"Have I ever told you that you’re actually a lot like one of our Hughes family?"

"You’re ambitious, smart, and adaptable. And that mouth of yours... you know exactly what to say to whom. I mean that as a compliment."

"In my opinion, you’re a hundred times more capable than Hayes and Serena."

"Hayes... how should I put it? In your generation’s slang, he’s a... ’saint’? HAHAHA."

Mia lowered her eyes, knowing she should stay silent, but she couldn’t help but say, "Second Brother has a doctor’s benevolence and a compassionate heart. That’s why he gives off the impression that he’s trying to save the world. Second Brother is a good person."

Mr. Hughes nodded.

"And then there’s Serena. Thinking about it, I haven’t seen her more than a few times since she came back."

"I can count the number of times on one hand."

"That child... although she was lost to the family for all those years, she never really suffered. She was the only child of her adoptive parents, their financial situation was decent, and she’s had a comfortable life."

"So her character can’t withstand any storms. She can’t handle great responsibility."

"But you’re different."

"I genuinely like you, young lady, and I’m very happy that you call me ’Grandfather.’ It always gives me the feeling that there’s still hope for the Hughes family’s future."

"But the family still has Big Brother."

Mr. Hughes’s lips curved. "Yes. If he had never met you."

...

"So, can you understand how I feel now?"

"It’s not that Grandfather wants you dead."

"It’s Silas Grant who has left you with no way out."

"If he truly loved you, he wouldn’t have put you in this position."

"The reason I see you as the hope for the Hughes family is because I know you won’t let your feet be tied down by something as childish as love."

"You’re the truly smart one."