Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

"Pinkie promise." Gilbert effortlessly linked his little finger with his daughter's.

Watching the affectionate father-daughter duo, Sherilyn let out a barely audible sigh. Let it be, she thought. Having one more person to love Jenna was always a good thing. After breakfast, Gilbert left.

Instead of heading straight to the office, he made a detour to the Johnson Estate to see Francis Johnson.

The Johnson Estate was bustling with activity. A few days earlier, Sylvia Johnson and Cara had started preparing for the Christmas celebrations.

At the moment, Sylvia was lecturing Francis.

"Look at you, never knowing anything. The Christmas' almost here; Caroline should be coming back, right? She's always been the one managing our household affairs, and now I'm worn out." Francis responded with his usual three words: "I don't know."

"You..." Sylvia was exasperated.

Her irritation grew when she spotted her grandson. "And you're no help at all! Can you at least bring Sherilyn back home?"

Gilbert shrugged, with brutal honesty, "Can't."

"Ugh!"

Sylvia was fuming. "Out, out, out! Seeing you two just irritates my eyes!"

Bending down to pick up little James, she softened, "At least my James is lovely! Come on, let's go see how Cara's getting on with the holiday preparations."

"Okay!"

duo left, the

doing here at

after the Christmas, but even without holding the official position, he hadn't been spared from its affairs, making him irritable at the sight of

couldn't help but laugh. "Don't worry, I'm not here to bother you. Today, I noticed someone

took out his phone and showed

furrowed upon seeing it. "Again, the Harrison

the gravity, he immediately called Sawyer, who was well-acquainted with Sunhaven's various

away. "This guy isn't from the

meant it wasn't clear who was paying them or

that case..." Francis pondered for a moment, then said, "Let's have Sawyer follow you for a while." Gilbert

"Why act tough?"

his brother's bravado. "The Johnson family has only us left; we can't afford any more incidents. Do you want to end up like

that's not what I

"I just think, since we don't know their purpose, it's better to wait and see. With Charles, Allen and Abel by my side, and now Sawyer... They'll have to think twice before

conceding that

of living in constant fear, it was better to clarify the opponent's intentions

nodded in agreement. "But

worry, I value my

eyebrows danced,

Francis couldn't help

demeanor bore no resemblance to the somber and fierce character of