NOVPUBPutting on a customary smile on her lips, Selene greeted Williams.
"Mr. Williams, it's been a long time. How have you been?"
Williams smiled just adequately, bowing slightly. "I am well, Ms. Martin. Just a little surprised to see you visiting —we weren't informed thar you would be visiting. And lately, the Old Master doesn't particularly appreciate unannounced guests."
Though his expression remained pleasant, his tone highlighted well that she should have informed before appearing like this.
Selene understood the unsaid and pulled his lips into a wider smile. Not showing how offended she was, she simply said, "Ah, I know that I should have given a call before coming here, but to be honest, Mr. Williams, even I wasn't sure if I would be coming like this. I just missed Grandpa Winslow too much, so I rushed here to visit the moment I had some time."
William didn't acknowledge her reason immediately, but remained polite anyway.
"It's really been nice seeing you after such a long time," he said, and Selene gave another smile before shifting her gaze to the house.
"Don't tell me, Grandpa Winslow is not at home."
Although he put it like that, she was sure that Morgan was at home. Only after confirming it, she had arrived here.
William also turned to look before shaking his head at her. "He is resting inside. You would have to wait for a while. I would have to inform him of your arrival."
"Oh, that won't be a problem. I can wait."
With that said, she followed him inside.
Making her sit in the living room, Williams left to find the old man.
While behind, Selene stood up and looked around the house. She hasn't been here many times. But the times she had been here, she couldn't forget. It was her favourite place because every time she came here, she could see Aiden.
He always remained indifferent to her, but when she asked for something, he wouldn't refuse.
He wouldn't talk much, but he would never refrain her from talking.
Although he never treated her the best, everyone still said he treated her differently, like he treated no other.
"Sir," William interrupted, entering the old man's study. "Young Ms. Martin has come to meet you."
Morgan was writing something. When he heard him, his pen halted. Although he didn't raise his face up to look at Williams, his gaze lifted to look at him through his glasses.
"She is waiting for you in the living room," William further added.
Morgan capped his pen before putting it on his desk. "She has come alone?" he asked, his tone laced with a deeper meaning.
Being with him for decades, William understood at once. "Mr. Martin is not in the country. He is said to be in Australia right now," he responded.
Morgan heard him and gave a knowing smile. "Since she has come to visit me, it wouldn't be good to keep her waiting. Let's go."
He pushed the chair, standing up to leave. William walked to his slide, escorting him.
***
Meanwhile, back in Cralens —
After Arwen reassured him that she was fine and no longer dwelling on the previous night's events, Aiden finally left for work.
On his way to the company, he kept glancing at his ring, and the smile never faded from his expression.
By the time he reached the office, his usual composure had returned.
Emyr was already there, waiting with a tablet in hand.
"Good morning, sir. Here's today's schedule," he said efficiently. "The meeting with the board is set for ten, and the legal team is waiting for you to go-ahead on the Yexton proposal."
Aiden nodded.
"Arrange the meeting with the selected international partners after that. And tell Legal I will send the feedback within an hour."
"Understood." Emyr gave a polite bow and then left the office.
Aiden sank into his chair and got to work, hours slipping unnoticed —until a knock at the door interrupted his rhythm.
"Come in," he called without looking up.
The door opened and Jacob stepped in, with a visible smile.
"So busy that you won't even greet your friend now?"
Aiden paused, glanced up, and then returned his focus to the documents in front of him.
"The one visiting isn't a friend, but a legal partner her to discuss work."
"Of course," Jacob said with a chuckle as he walked in. He pulled out a chair and sat down opposite Aiden. "But even if I am here for work, that doesn't change the fact that I am your friend. You should show some warmth. You can't keep everything reserved for Arwen."
"..." Aiden didn't respond immediately. His gaze scanned the doccument he was reading with practiced precision before he moved his pen and signed his name at the bottom.
Closing the file, he finally looked up and met Jacob's gaze. "Yextons?" he asked simply.
Understanding the cue, Jacob nodded.
"My team will reach out to them soon with the needed adjustments. There is nothing for you to worry about."
Aiden nodded slightly, leaning back in his chair, his gaze momentarily distant.
Jacob sat quietly, letting him drift in his thoughts. But then, remembering something, he shifted in his seat.
"Oh yes, I forgot to mention —how is Arwen?"
Aiden glanced at him, a silent query in his gaze.
Seeing which Jacob explained.
"I saw her at the hospital the other day. She looked fine, but … something about her expression didn't sit right with me."
"Hospital?" Aiden asked, his voice low but alert.
"Yes," Jacob confirmed with a nod. "Last week, I was at Cralens Care Hospital visiting a client. She bumped into me —looked distracted, like she had something on her mind."
He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly as if recalling the moment.
"She said she was fine and only there for a minor consultation with a doctor. But … something about the way she said it didn't convince me."
Aiden didn't respond. The frown on his face deepened. His fingers curled slightly over the edge of the desk, thoughts already racing.
