When Julian learned that Terrence Sterling hadpelled Leyton to eat earthworms, he hurriedly came down from upstairs. “Terry, why are you tormenting a fool? Where’s Leyton?” Julian voiced his concern, “Did he really eat the earthworms? This poor kid, he must be really sick.”This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    Terrence Sterling remained silent, so Ste interjected, “I saw it with my own eyes, he actually ate them. It was disgusting. I’ve lost my appetite for breakfast; I feel like throwing up now.”


    Grandma Sterling, leaning on her cane, entered from outside. “Earthworms are good, high in protein.”


    Julian asked, “Mom, why are youing in from outside so early?”


    “Old age, sleep eludes me,” Grandma Sterling chuckled. “I took a walk around the garden.”


    As she approached Terrence Sterling, she asked, “Why hasn’t Charlottee over? How is she?”


    “Charlotte’s fine,” replied Terrence Sterling, without correcting the mix-up, “Grandma, I need to head to the office. I won’t join you for breakfast today.”


    Considering the punishment he gave Leyton for eating a few earthworms felt light, especially since the data breach had cost hispany several billion dors. Eating a few worms hardly seemed a significant penalty.


    “Go on, then,” Grandma Sterling said graciously, understanding his hurry.


    Once Terrence Sterling had left, Julian sighed, “Terry is still so cold-hearted. Leyton’s sick; why keep bullying him? I’ll go check on Leyton.”


    “No need, have breakfast,” Grandma Sterling stated directly; she had witnessed the earlier event in the backyard, including Leyton throwing up after Terrence left.


    “Mom, I’ll just check on him. He must be terrified,” Julian insisted and headed to the backyard. Grandma Sterling sighed deeply, muttering significantly, “Foolish.”


    “Mom,” Ste called out, trying to divert her attention, “Are you going to see Meredith today? She went for a check-up yesterday; maybe ask how it went?”


    Ste hoped to prompt Grandma Sterling to visit.


    But Grandma Sterling was too shrewd. “No, I won’t go. If you’re curious, you should ask her yourself.”


    Ste fell silent as Grandma Sterling proceeded directly to the dining room for breakfast.


    —


    Meredith, having woken upte, had her breakfast and it was nearing noon when she arrived at the restaurant. Staying at home was too dull; she preferred being in the restaurant where there was always something to do. Shortly after her arrival, Justin called.


    Knowing Meredith was at the restaurant, Justin headed there directly to have lunch and breezed into a conversation about birthmarks. “Meredith, do you have any birthmarks or something simr?” he asked casually, “I’ve discovered a new mole on my waist that I hadn’t noticed before. They say a birthmark means someone from your past life cared enough to find you again, so they left a mark.”


    Unconcerned, Meredith replied, “Yes, I have a blue birthmark on my waist, shape of a crescent moon, thumb-sized, been there forever.”


    “Really?” Justin’s heart skipped a beat. That could mean Meredith was the person Mr. Oakley described in his search for Miss Chaucer.


    “What’s the big deal?” Meredith shrugged.


    “Just curious.”


    “I hadn’t noticed mine before,” Meredith chuckled, “They usually be more pronounced as you age. Want to order more dishes?”


    “No, it’s too much as it is,” Justin responded.


    Before Justin could inquire if Meredith knew Chloe, Reese approached. “Meredith, that Miss Chaucer is here again, asking to dine with you.”


    Hearing the name ‘Miss Chaucer,’ Justin quickly asked, “Meredith, who is that?”


    “Chloe Chaucer,” Meredith exined, “She’s the sister of a former boss of mine. It’s strange, this is the second time she’se looking for me.”


    As the pieces fell into ce for Justin, it became evident that Chloe was possibly Meredith’s mother, searching for identity confirmation.


    Seeing an opportunity to learn more about the situation, Justin suggested, “Let her join us. There’s plenty of food, and since she’s your old boss’s sister, it’d be awkward to refuse.”


    Meredith gave him a puzzled look, hesitated, then conceded, “This Chloe has a bit of an odd temperament, I’m not so keen on getting too close.”