Together Apart: Her White Moonlight Has Returned Too-Chapter 89: A Girl’s Reputation Is Most Important
Vera Yves noticed his gaze and put down her teacup, "Grandpa Monroe, I have something to do, so I’ll be leaving now."
"It’s already mealtime, why not leave after having lunch?" Old Master Monroe sighed, "You used to love coming here for meals when you were a kid."
Vera didn’t decline further.
Old Master Monroe glanced at Miles Monroe, "What are you here for?"
"Of course, to see you."
"Now that you’ve seen me, you can leave."
Miles smiled helplessly, "Grandpa, I also want to stay and bum a meal."
"Hmph!" Old Master Monroe gave him a disapproving glance, "You actually remembered you had a grandfather."
Years ago, he would have died for a woman, even ran away. It’s been so many years since then.
Old Master Monroe went back to his room to rest.
Only two people remained in the living room.
"Vera, I thought a lot about it yesterday. I was too slow," Miles looked at her guiltily, "I..."
"Not saying anything back then was to prevent you from looking at me like that," Vera interrupted him, "Not saying anything now is because there’s no need. After all, it was my issue from the beginning to the end."
Seeing her calm demeanor, Miles suddenly understood why she had almost completely cut off contact with him over the years.
Vera smiled at him, "Who would have thought, we’ve grown to the age where we can reminisce the past."
Miles gave a brief smile; time had indeed changed many things.
In the afternoon, Vera returned to the clinic. Most of the documents were already sorted, but Simon Warren was still playing the fool.
Vera thought of Luke Shaw and wondered why he appeared at the hospital in Corvid that day?
"Knock, knock, knock."
Someone knocked on the door. Vera walked over to open it and was taken aback to see Penelope Langley standing outside, "Aunt Lana."
Penelope smiled, "Vera, I came specifically to thank you."
Vera invited her in and served her a cup of hot tea.
Penelope sat on a wooden chair, glancing around, "Planning to reopen the clinic?"
"No."
Penelope looked at her apologetically, "Vera, under those circumstances, it wasn’t that we didn’t trust you; it’s just that the old master’s health couldn’t take it..."
Vera smiled at her, "I understand."
Penelope took a sip of the hot tea. Vera frequently visited The Monroes when she was a child. She was a lovely little girl, and Vera was quite attached to her back then.
But with the passage of time, there was a sense of estrangement between the two.
"Any plans after the divorce?"
"Organize the materials grandpa left and share them with those who need them."
Penelope smiled, "Miles has always treated you as his little sister, cared for you dearly, and couldn’t bear to see you suffer even a bit. It’s become a habit, one that hasn’t changed even now."
Vera clenched her teacup tightly.
Penelope continued, "Vera, I’ve always wished for a daughter and treated you like one since you were little. But reputation is crucial for girls, and being too close to Miles..."
"Aunt Lana, I know," Vera smiled at her politely, "I understand my limits."
Penelope matched her smile, albeit with some embarrassment, "That’s good."
After Penelope left, Vera sat back down, unable to continue sorting the documents. She closed her eyes and recalled an afternoon from many years ago.
She and Miles were playing in The Monroes’ backyard when she accidentally fell and skinned her knee, crying in pain.
No matter how Miles tried, he couldn’t comfort her. It was Penelope who applied medicine to her wounds and soothed her constantly. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎
Just as she was about to fall asleep, Penelope kissed her forehead, "Sweet Vera, when you grow up, will you become Aunt Lana’s daughter-in-law?"
Vera’s eyes reddened slightly.
Thinking of something, she suddenly sat up straight.
Grandpa Monroe was critically ill, yet the Monroes refused to let her treat him because of what happened back then.
And Tristan Valentine? He chose another doctor because of that incident; how about now?
He cared so much about Cleo Sutton. Before inviting her to treat Cleo, had he investigated the truth behind that incident?
What truth did he uncover?
Vera’s hands trembled slightly. She picked up her car keys and left in a hurry.
On the road, she called Tristan and found out he was at The Valentine Group, so Vera drove straight to The Valentine Group building.
They arranged to meet in a nearby café.
After listening to Vera, Tristan took a sip of his coffee, "Old Mr. Yves looked after Winston’s grandparents for years; I naturally wouldn’t doubt his medical skills."
Vera leaned back in her chair, disappointed.
Tristan continued, "However, I did conduct some investigations. The prescriptions Old Mr. Yves wrote were fine; someone was stirring up trouble behind the scenes back then."
Vera looked at him in amazement.
Tristan met her expectant eyes, "That’s as far as I found."
True, he needed someone to treat Cleo Sutton, so why would he do anything for his grandfather?
Vera returned to the clinic and worked until evening.
Mark Yves called, "Sis, I’m at ’The Gilded Age’ now. Can you come pick me up?"
Vera frowned slightly, "If you’ve been drinking, call a driving service."
Mark was silent for a moment, "I’m in a bit of trouble here."
"If you’re in trouble, call the police."
"Vera, can’t you stop being cold-blooded?"
Vera grabbed her coat and headed out, "What trouble?"
"Just come pick me up; I’ll tell you in person." Mark sounded impatient and mentioned a room number before hanging up.
It was rush hour, and Vera drove for more than an hour to get to The Gilded Age.
Vera entered the elevator, and just before the doors closed, someone approached.
Upon seeing the man outside the elevator, Vera wordlessly moved two steps to the side.
Winston Valentine stepped inside, bringing a hint of smoke with him. Vera frowned and turned her head away.
As the elevator ascended, Vera watched the numbers change on the display, instinctively holding her breath.
Never had she felt time move so slowly.
When the number hit "6," Vera exhaled in relief.
"Ding!" The elevator doors opened, and Vera was the first to step out.
Winston watched her figure disappear, then leisurely walked out of the elevator.
She didn’t even give him a look of disdain; she truly treated him as a stranger.
Vera arrived at the room, and as soon as she entered, smoke filled the air, making her cough.
Mark tried to stand up when he saw Vera, but the man next to him pressed down on his shoulder, "What’s the rush? Your sister’s here; let her have a drink with us first."
"You son of a bitch! You break your word!"
The man whispered in Mark’s ear, "Thirty million, just let your sister drink a glass of wine. Is that a problem?"
Vera went up to the sofa, "Mark, let’s go."
The man forcefully held Mark’s shoulder down, "Don’t refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit!"
The man then smiled at Vera, "Sister, Mark lost a game to us and still owes us a drink. Why not drink it for him, and we’ll let him go."
Vera observed the insincere smile on the man’s face, picked up a glass of wine from the table, and pinched Mark’s cheek, pouring the drink into his mouth.
"Can I take him now?"
The smile vanished from the man’s face, "Coming here isn’t that simple to leave."
"What do you mean?" Mark seethed, ready to fight.
Nearby people immediately pinned him down on the sofa.
The man eyed Vera, "Your brother owes me thirty million. Spend a night with me, and the debt’s cleared."
