Ivy''s eyes were red as she said, "Hayden, Lucas'' mother has passed away, so I won''t be able to spend time with you for a few days."


    "It''s okay. Given what has happened, we''re not in the mood for fun either. After we attend his mother''s funeral, Shelly and I will return," Hayden said.


    Ivy nodded.


    "How are funerals handled here?" Hayden asked. Given Lucas'' rtionship with Ivy, his younger sister, he felt a sense of duty to help Lucas with the funeral arrangements.


    "It''s simr to how it''s done back at home. Wealthy people can have borate funerals, and those with less money can opt for simpler ceremonies. Those who can''t afford much at all can forgo the ceremony and opt for a simple burial," Ivy said.


    "What if someone wants a more borate funeral?"


    "Hayden, do you want to help with his mother''s funeral? He doesn''t have any close rtives here, so there''s no need for an borate ceremony," she exined.


    "I see. Go and talk to him about it. I''ll help with whatever I can," Hayden said.


    "Thank you, Hayden, but I don''t think we need your help with this. Funerals don''t cost much, and he probably won''t want us to spend money on his mother''s funeral," Ivy said.


    Hayden agreed, "All right. Keep himpany, then."


    "Hayden, what about you and Shelly?"


    "You don''t need to worry about us. Shelly and I will go for a walk outside. If you need anything, just call me," Hayden assured her.


    "Okay."


    Ivy returned to the hospital room, and Hayden and Shelly left the hospital building.


    Mr. Woods stood outside, waiting for Hayden and Shelly toe out. When he saw them, he greeted them warmly.


    "Mr. Tate, my son deeply


    misunderstands my character, and


    Ivy doesn''t like me either, but I''ve always treated her well," Mr. Woods said sincerely. "Ivy worked for our


    family when she was young. Heel


    grandmother used to work in our kitchen, and our family treatsour staff well. Her grandmother worked for us for several years, and Ivy woulde to our house every day after school. At the time, she had some unsightly scars on her face, but our family never looked down on her."


    Hayden''s heart softened slightly upon hearing Mr. Woods'' words.


    If what Mr. Woods said was true, the Woods family was not without redemption. At least they had provided Ivy with a means to survive.


    Mr. Woods continued, "After Ivy''s


    grandmother passed away, Ivy suddenly lost her only source of ie, Eeeling sorry for her, we allowed her to continue working for us. We paid her sry on time every month, and we never withheld her wages."


    "I know about all that. The current issue is that Lucas doesn''t want to have any contact with you, not that Ivy has a grudge against you," Hayden said.


    Mr. Woods nodded, saying, "I


    understand. do owe Lucas a lot. I was absent from his life when he was a child. It wasn''t until he was about to enter university that I


    brought him back into my life


    ButThis text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    after did, I bent over backward to amodate him. I spent millions to put him through college, and I''ve never been particrly hard on him."


    "Perhaps you should have this conversation with him, then," Hayden suggested.


    Mr. Woods looked conflicted. "He won''t listen to me. No matter what I do, he''s never satisfied. Regardless, I''m still his father, and I can''t just abandon him. Could I discuss his rtionship with Ivy with you?"