Chapter 523 A Test Of Wits And Will
A couple of days prior, Bjorn had seen Harrietta interacting with Lenora at the mall. They seemed to be getting
along quite well. He merely cup with an excuse to take Harrietta away. "That's impossible."
"Why would it be impossible?"
"Calm down, Sir. | have a few questions for you. First, do you think with Isla's personality, she could take good
care of Hattie? Secondly, even if you do have affection for Hattie, you're not getting any younger. You're
constantly busy with work, and your wife's health isn't the best. How much tcan you really spend with
Hattie? Thirdly, even if you delegate your responsibilities to Zephyr, freeing up more tfor Hattie, you are a
generation apart from her. Can you truly offer her the slove and care as her parents? | trust that upon
careful consideration, Sir, you will understand what's best for Hattie."
Bjorn felt like he was doing a Clusian listening test, his patience wearing thin as he mentally translated halfway
through.
"All this talk is pointless. We should let Carol make her own choice. Let her stay in Fairlake for a while. If she
decides she wants to return, I'll bring her back."
"Hattie is still young. She shouldn't go to Fairlake alone. Besides, she's unfamiliar with the surroundings."
"I will be there for her, no? | will take good care of her."
Zachary let out a soft snort. "Sir, in terms of bloodline, you are indeed Hattie's granddad. However, beyond that,
you're no more than a stranger who's barely acquainted with her."
"If you're uneasy, then follow along." Bjorn squinted his eyes. "Are you worried that | might forcefully keep Carol
in Fairlake? Or is it that you lack confidence in yourself, afraid that once Carol leaves with me, she might not
want to return?"
"There's no need for reverse psychology, Sir. That tactic doesn't work on me."
"Then why don't you call Carol and let her make the decision herself? If she chooses to cwith me, what right
do you have to interfere with the bond between a grandparent and grandchild?"
"I'm her guardian."
"That's why I've cto talk to you today. Otherwise, | would have taken Carol away yesterday!"
The two of them engaged in a back-and-forth exchange, testing and challenging each other.
Upon Bjorn's insistent request, Zachary made a call to the kindergarten teacher.
Following that, Zachary spent twenty minutes sipping coffee face-to-face with Bjorn.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtTwenty minutes later, classes had ended at the kindergarten.
"The others, go out and play. Harrietta, could you stay behind for a moment?" the teacher said.
Once all the other kids had gone out to play, Harrietta looked up and asked, "Teacher, why did you askto
stay behind?"
The teacher replied with a smile, "Your daddy calledearlier. He said to call him back after your class."
Harrietta's heart suddenly filled with anxiety. Just now, Granddad mentioned that he was at Fuller Tower, trying
to persuade Daddy to allowto go to Fairlake. Why did Daddy suddenly call? Could he have been persuaded?
Am | really going to stay in Fairlake with Granddad? Well, that works... Aunt Lenora mentioned over the phone
yesterday that she would be going on a business trip to Fairlake in a couple of days.
Harrietta found a quiet place and returned Zachary's call.
As soon as the phone rang, Bjorn immediately set down his porcelain cup, reminding him, "Put your phone on
speaker mode."
Zachary glanced up at him, pressing the speakerphone button with a hint of annoyance. "Hey, Hattie."
"Uncle Zachary? Were you looking for me?"
The childlike voice echoed from the receiver. Bjorn heard the form of address Harrietta used to address Zachary,
and he couldn't help looking at Zachary pridefully. It seems that Carol's feelings for Zachary are rather
indifferent. She didn't even call him Daddy... "Do you want to go to Fairlake with your granddad?" Zachary asked
directly.
| already said no to Daddy yesterday. If Daddy didn't wantto go, he wouldn't callto ask again... Daddy
must have been persuaded by Granddad, hoping | would change my mind. Harrietta didn't want to put Zachary
in a tough spot either, so she responded, "Sure." The moment Zachary heard the response, his expression
faltered. A look of bewilderment spread across his face. Subconsciously, he glanced at Bjorn.
Bjorn wore a confident smile on his face.
"Hattie, are you sure you want to go? If you don't want to, feel free to tell me," Zachary said.
Harrietta thought Zachary wanted her to go but was afraid she might feel aggrieved.
Hence, she said, "Daddy, | really want to go. Isn't Aunt Lenora also going to Fairlake? | can hang out with her."
Zachary was caught off guard. She toldshe didn't want to go yesterday. Why has she suddenly changed her
mind today? I've played the bad guy only to be betrayed by my own daughter!
Upon hearing the way Harrietta
addressed Zachary, Bjorn slightly furrowed his brow. However, joy quickly replaced his initial reaction. As for or
the last two sentences
uttered by Harrietta, the
completely disregarded by him.
Seeing that Zachary was about to say something more, Bjorn interrupted him, "All right, Carol. Everything's fine
now. You can go play."
Hearing Bjorn's voice, Harrietta paused and said, "Um... Daddy, should | hang up first?"
Zachary was rendered speechless. My hands are tied, aren't they?
The mechanical beep echoed from within the receiver.
Bjorn wore a triumphant smile, sipped his coffee, and looked at Zachary. "Mr. Fuller, you've heard it yourself.
Carol wants to go to Fairlake with me." After he finished speaking, he paused for a moment, his gaze sharp as a
blade. "If you dare to obstructagain, don't blme for turning hostile." Zachary paused momentarily. It has
cto this.
He then lowered his gaze and pondered for a moment before saying, "In ten days, I'll personally go to Fairlake to
pick her up."
"Ten days is too brief. Make it a month."
"Mid-month, Hattie is attending her uncle's wedding ceremony," Zachary stated seriously.
That's another reason | shouldn't let Carol return! Bjorn chuckled and responded, "I never agreed to that
marriage arrangement in the first place, so Carol doesn't need to be involved." The two engaged in a tug of war
of words, ultimately reaching a mutual agreement. They decided that Harrietta would stay in Fairlake for half a
month.
Zachary decided to send her there personally. "When do you plan on returning home? I'll arrange our travel plans
accordingly."
"Within these two days."
"Isla?" Zachary raised an eyebrow.
Bjorn immediately understood his meaning and snorted. "She's not going."
The next day, when Bjorn arrived in the VIP lounge of Jacaster International Airport from the hotel, his beloved
granddaughter was already seated on the couch.
She nestled comfortably against the woman next to her, both of them engrossed in the tablet the woman was
holding. They were engaged in a quiet conversation.
The adult was serene and
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmcomposed, while the child was
adorable and lively. Their contrasting personalities complemented each other beautifully, creating an
extraordinarily harmonious scene.
If strangers were to pass by, they might mistake them for mother and daughter.
Bjorn seemed momentarily dazed. It was as if he had caught a glimpse of his wife's youthful silhouette.
He becaware belatedly that Carol seemed to have mentioned that Zachary's wife was heading to Fairlake
for a business trip.
Bjorn couldn't help but think of his
disappointing daughter. She was never close to Carol, yet she was so clueless that she caused Carol's car
accident! Thankfully, Carol was
unharmed. Having her reflect on her actions in the detention center might be beneficial. It might prevent her
from causing trouble everywhere.
He cleared his throat and walked over with steady steps. "Carol, I'm here."
Upon hearing the sound, Harrietta lifted her head, revealing a beaming smile, and called out sweetly, "Hi,
Granddad."
Lenora also took the opportunity to lift her head.
As expected, it was that foreign old man from the mall.
Bjorn's gaze briefly swept over Lenora. Their eyes met for a fleeting moment, and they both quickly averted their
gazes, acting as if the other didn't exist.
Bjorn kindly looked at Harrietta, who was sitting right next to Lenora. "We're about to board the plane. Are you
excited?"
Harrietta gave a series of quick nods. "I've never been to Fairlake before. | heard your estate is quite expansive
there, Granddad. Is that true?"
Bjorn chuckled and responded, "That's right. You'll be staying at my estate. I'll make sure you're well taken care
of."
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