Chapter 265

Mrs. Carter had always done the hard, physical chores, and honestly, she was fitter than a lot of young folks these days. She might've been breathing a bit heavier, but that didn't slow her down one bit. Seeing this, Nelson and Dominic didn't push further, falling in step silently behind her. As they passed under the grapevine arbor in the garden, Nelson caught a glimpse of something—or rather, someone—and came to an abrupt halt. His eyes locked onto the scene ahead. There, under the grapevines, Claire was laughing, her arms around a little boy as she helped him reach up for the ripest, reddest grapes. That smile of hers could melt snow. On a nearby rattan chair sat two elegant women. One older woman dressed in a modern cheongsam beamed kindly at Claire and the child, while the younger one, also smiling softly, watched Claire mess around like it was the most heartwarming thing she'd ever seen. "Mr. Cooper, weren't we leaving?" Mrs. Carter called out, turning back only to catch the man