Old Mr. Jarvis sighed, the weight of the world seemingly on his shoulders, “I’m thinking of heading back to Crescent City tomorrow!”

Estelle looked up in surprise, “You’re not waiting for Vivian?”

Old Mr. Jarvis shook his head, a hint of resignation in his voice, “It seems like Vivian won’t be able to make it back for a while.”

Estelle was puzzled, “Isn’t Vivian really fond of her daughter? Now that she knows her daughter’s been found, why isn’t she rushing back?”

A painting exhibition, no matter how significant, surely couldn’t trump the importance of one’s own daughter.

“You’re out of the loop!” Old Mr. Jarvis set down his chess piece with a decisive clack and spoke gravely, “Years back, Old Mr. Quintin thought he had a lead on Nana too. He’d urgently tell Vivian each time, but every identification turned out wrong. So Vivian’s lost faith in Old Mr. Quintin; she probably thinks it’s another one of his wild goose chases.”

Estelle nodded in understanding, “That explains it!”

Gabriel chimed in from the side, his tone earnest, “This time it’s different, Old Mr. Quintin truly sees Evelyn as his granddaughter!”

Estelle, her fingers idly playing with a chess piece, mused, “Maybe you and Gabriel should stay a few more days.”

Gabriel gave Estelle a meaningful look, “You’re worried about Evelyn, aren’t you?”

not that I don’t trust the situation, but I feel more at ease with both of you around,” Estelle said with a smile. “And with the holidays a month away, there’s no

moment then nodded, “Then we’ll stay a bit longer. It would be perfect

“Sounds good,” Estelle agreed.

Evelyn and Old Mr. Quintin

stood up, “How are you

loved to paint when I was a kid, but my foster parents said we couldn’t afford

dear. That’s all in the past. From now

her eyes shining, “Thank you,

Quintin laughed heartily, looking at Estelle, “Why don’t you take Nana out for a bit? Show her around Jewel City. She can’t stay cooped up here with an old

love to!” Estelle turned to Evelyn, “Any

know J City well,

go too. He can drive and keep

smirked, “Old Mr. Quintin, do you have some kind of

really need

Mr. Quintin winked at him, “Just go, will

“If Gabriel’s busy,

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