Chapter 271

Maverick didn't go to the company. He took several turns on the road and eventually drove to the Hyland family villa. Mr. Hyland returned to the villa the day before yesterday. After he arrived back from the hospital and unable to adapt to its environment, his family had specially hired a live-in doctor and caregiver. From afar in the courtyard, Maverick could hear Mr. Hyland's laughter. Upon approaching, he found out that Mr. Hyland had a guest today. Maverick also recognized the guest. It was Reverend John from Jingling Mountain, playing chess with Mr. Hyland in the courtyard pavilion. Seeing Maverick, Mr. Hyland waved him over, "Come watch Grandpa play chess." Maverick went over, and just like a few years ago, he stood beside Mr. Hyland, quietly watching the two of them play. A game of chess always lasted a long time. After an hour passed, Reverend John won. Mr. Hyland lost gracefully, "I can never beat you at chess. I can only win against Giselle." Upon mentioning Giselle, Reverend John laughed, "It's been a long time since I last saw that girl." "Forget about you, I also haven't seen her much lately," said Mr. Hyland, after which he turned to Maverick, "Why didn't you bring Giselle with you?" Maverick replied indifferently, "She's resting at home." "You should take Giselle out more often. You're busy with work all the time and leaving Giselle home alone. Don't let her get bored," advised Mr. Hyland. Maverick nodded, "I understand." Mr. Hyland once again spoke to Reverend John, "Giselle is now my granddaughter-in-law. Look at my grandson, do they suit each other?" "Of course they do." Reverend John said, "They were suitable since the beginning." Mr. Hyland laughed, "You noticed too." "Naturally." Reverend John said. Although he was a monk, he was not blind. During the period when Giselle lived in the temple, even though Maverick came with Mr. Hyland to the mountain, every time they got to the mountain, his eyes would follow Giselle. Although separated by distance, they never got close. Back then, Giselle often seemed lost in her thoughts. Sometimes, she would sit on the steps, entranced, letting an entire afternoon pass obliviously. Max, while playing chess with Mr. Hyland, would always notice that Maverick was standing next to Mr. Hyland, his gaze far away, falling on Giselle the entire afternoon. At that time, Max thought to himself. People from the Hyland family really had amazing patience. Later, when Giselle got better, stopped having insomnia and been less distracted... she descended from the mountain, and Maverick didn't follow either. In the end, the two didn't even exchange a single sentence at that time. Max still thought, maybe they would just miss each other like this. Who would have guessed that after everything, these two actually got married. "What a blessed girl." Max thought. Back then, when Yvette fell ill, she also sought peace and rejuvenation in the temple. Unfortunately, her condition only worsened until ultimately, she had to return to the hospital. Later - Max only found out about this incident later. Yvette had jumped off a building, falling right before Giselle's eyes. At that time, Giselle was only about ten years old. She once came to the temple alone in the middle of the night, searching for Dylan. Max's impression of Giselle's childhood is still that of a little girl in a bubble-skirted dress, barefooted, braving the darkness of the night and somehow managing to find the temple. She sat with Yvette, resting against her leg, and said, "Mommy, don't leave Giselle alone." Under the faint moonlight, on the steps outside the temple, Yvette ran her fingers through Giselle's hair, affirming, "Alright." Since then, Giselle had been living in the temple. One sleepless night, she sat in the courtyard, lost in thought. Max walked out and we started talking. Suddenly, she said, "Reverend John, I've been here before." Max then realized that she was the little girl of the past. Both mother and daughter were exceptionally beautiful. And both were deeply pitiful. Thankfully though, Giselle slowly recovered. "Do you know Giselle's mother?" Maverick asked. Reverend John nodded, "She once lived in the temple for a while." He took a breath and said with a sigh, "What a pity." "Do you know why?" Reverend John shook his head, "I'm not exactly sure about this. Most sick people don't wish to share their thoughts with others. I only know she was always blaming herself, but as for what mistake, no one really knew." They finished a game of chess, and as it got late, Reverend John took his leave. Only then did Mr. Hyland turn to Maverick and asked, "What, did you have a disagreement with Giselle again?" Maverick did not deny it. He said, "She is quite angry with me." "What did you do?" When Maverick told Daniel about the situation, Daniel couldn't help but shake his head after hearing it. "You're pushing Giselle away even more like this. She's a child who already lacks a sense of security. You disrespect her like this, do you blame her for being angry with you?" "If it were anyone else, I could accept it, but Patrick is different." "Even though Giselle used to like him a lot, they have broken up. So many years have passed, and since Giselle can be with you, it means that she has let go." "It's not just that she liked him." Maverick said, "She once tried to end her life for him." How deep was her love for him, that she even abandoned her dreams and risked her life? Her love was so strong that she dared to stand on the roof of the hospital. Maverick used to be afraid of delving too deeply into this, and now he's even more afraid. He said, "I can't take that risk." He didn't dare to gamble on Giselle's feelings for him now. If he had given her this chance and he ended up losing… He could not even dare to think about it. "I can't think of a better solution." Nothing could reassure him other than keeping Giselle under his vigilant watch. "Oh, you..." Daniel didn't know how to persuade him. "When the moon is full, it begins to wane. When the water is full, it overflows. When you like someone, you can't like them too much. Your great fear of Giselle leaving you might backfire." Leaving the Hyland family villa, Maverick didn't feel any better. Before heading back to Shallow Bay, he made a detour to the dessert shop. He bought the Black Forest cake, Giselle's favorite. Knowing that she has a small appetite, he specifically bought a smaller one and had it beautifully packed. Returning to the villa with the cake, Irm said, "Madam has been staying upstairs, she hasn't come down yet." "Has she had lunch?" Irma shook her head, "No, she refused to eat when I brought it up. I had to take it back down when it got cold." Maverick's gaze darkened. "Prepare dinner now. Let's eat earlier today." Irma nodded and went into the kitchen. Maverick went upstairs. Giselle was on the second-floor balcony − upon hearing noises, she turned around. Seeing Maverick, she immediately turned away. From her reaction, it was clear that she wanted nothing to do with him. Maverick knew she was angry, and it did not surprise him. As he walked towards her, he asked, "Irma mentioned you didn't have lunch. Why?" Such a natural tone. Did he really not know why she didn't have lunch? Giselle remained silent. Maverick took the cake in his hand and held it in front of her. "Your favorite. Have some." Giselle glanced over, "I'm not eating." She said no, but Maverick had already removed the packaging. "Have a little bit. Wherever you want to go tomorrow, I will accompany you." "No need!" "Open your mouth!" Maverick scooped a small spoon of cake and brought it to Giselle's mouth.