Love's Change of Heart

Chapter 637 Next Time, Just Run

When Keaton saw the men leave, he said, "Are you alright, Miss McKinney?"

Leanna shook her head. "I'm fine." Then, she turned to Charlotte. "Are you okay?"

In response, Charlotte showed her bruised wrist and pouted. "It hurts."

"I'll apply some ointment on you when we get home. It'll heal by tomorrow."

"Thanks, Leanna!" A smile instantly spread across Charlotte's face.

Suddenly, Zoe came up to them. "Nana, what happened? If I hadn't seen Keaton and his men arrive, I would have considered calling the police."

"Nothing. Her family sent some men over to take her back," Leanna answered.

Zoe sighed a breath of relief. "Thank goodness they weren't kidnappers, but aren't they too intimidating?"

Keaton explained, "They've been wandering around Highside recently. They must be quite anxious."

Charlotte lowered her head without saying a word.

Seeing that, Leanna suggested, "Let's head back now."

"I'll be right behind you guys. Please call me if anything comes up, Miss McKinney."

"Sure."

After returning home, Zoe munched on an apple while watching the two women before her.

Leanna rubbed the ointment on her hands before applying it to Charlotte's wrist. Even though the men didn't exert much force on Charlotte for fear of hurting her, she had such delicate skin that the red marks wouldn't go away on her skin.

While rubbing the ointment to her wrist, Leanna asked, "Did you call your dad, Charlotte?"

Charlotte shook her head and uttered in a subdued voice, "I'm scared of getting scolded."

"Your dad scolds you because he's worried."

"Still, I don't want to return home! I'll lose freedom in Jamesdon and spend the rest of my life there."

"I understand your thoughts, but even if you want to stay here, you must tell your dad. Otherwise, if something like this happens again, you'll eventually get hurt."

Charlotte went silent as she knew she was wrong. After a while, she compromised. "Okay. I'll give him a call later."

After hearing that, Leanna smiled. "Talk to him calmly. Don't pick up a fight."

Charlotte nodded obediently.

"I'm going to cook now. Eat some fruit first if you're hungry. Don't eat junk food."

"Okay."

Getting up, Leanna stored the ointment and washed her hands in the kitchen. After watching their entire interaction, Zoe walked up to her and said, "I can't believe she listens to you."

"She doesn't. She—" Leanna looked out the window before continuing, "Misses her home."

Despite hollering that she wouldn't return to Jamesdon, Charlotte was only a young lady. Moreover, she had never traveled so far away from home. When all the new experiences start to wear off, she would feel slightly uneasy in a foreign environment. During that time, she frequently experienced pangs of homesickness. Although she didn't show it, Leanna could tell from her observation of Charlotte during the past few days. Even after her father's men left after coming to pick her up, she was a little absent-minded on their way back.

"You're right. No matter how much she hates Jamesdon, I was still her home for over twenty years," said Zoe.

"Yup." Leanna nodded in response.

Zoe suddenly sighed, "Speaking of that, I kind of wanna go home too, but I'll surely get beaten to death if I do."

"Haven't you told your mom?"

"Do you think I have the gall to say that? I got pregnant before marriage! Besides, you know my relationship with Daniel. It's just… that's just how it is. My mom will never let me go if she finds out." Leaning against the world, Zoe started daydreaming. "After I deliver the child and appear before her, do you think she'll be surprised? Anyway, she wanted a grandchild a few years back."

"I think she'll be shocked instead."

Zoe went speechless at that and sighed.

While washing the vegetables, Leanna suggested, "Since I'll be in the studio these days, you should head home and tell your mom about it."

"I-I don't think that's a good idea. I don't want to die yet."

Leanna chuckled and pondered for a moment. "Why don't you wait until Daniel comes back? Let him come with you. At least someone will calm the fire if your mom gets enraged."

Zoe's eyes lit up. "That sounds like a good idea!"

Due to the incident on their way back, Leanna started cooking late, so it was nearly bedtime after they finished their meal. After that, Charlotte and Zoe both yawned one after another.

As Charlotte was about to wash the dishes, Leanna suggested, "Let me wash the dishes tonight. You should go and rest."

"Huh? Aidan said I must wash every—"

"Don't worry. You got hurt today, so you're exempted."

After hearing that, Charlotte hugged Leanna and rubbed her head against Leanna's shoulders. "You're the best, Leanna!"

Leanna chuckled at her response. "Alright. Now go to bed."