The atmosphere in the car quieted. Ava Sterling could not hear what the person on the phone was saying, after all, this person’s phone quality was good and didn’t leak sound. However, she could clearly feel a change in the atmosphere inside the car, though she didn’t know what the person on the phone had said. She looked at the person next to her, his eyes focused ahead, a pair of eyes deep and unreadable. Otherwise, why is he not speaking? Ava Sterling blinked her eyelashes, then instinctively moved her body towards the car door, to distance herself from him. Even though this person wasn’t suspicious of her and Jace Kingsley, he wasn’t someone easy to deal with. At times , it’s best for her to keep her distance from him. But as Ava moved, she realized something. Her waist was encircled by an arm, keeping her within his small space; unless he let go, she couldn’t get away. Ava was surprised; when did he place his hand on her waist? From the phone, Quentin Quinn’s voice came through. Poe Vaughn listened without saying a word. Quentin finished speaking and waited for Poe Vaughn’s response, but didn’t expect there to be no sound from the phone. Confused, he looked at the phone to check the call, but it hadn’t dropped. Logically, after he said this, President Vaughn would respond, then hang up. But now, President Vaughn hadn’t replied; was there something wrong with the sentence? For a moment, Quentin remembered how President Vaughn had asked him this afternoon about retrieving deleted photos, and suddenly he felt tense. There must be something wrong with the sentence, otherwise President Vaughn wouldn’t remain silent. At this moment, Quentin seriously considered what the problem was, but just then, Poe Vaughn’s voice came through. Was there... no issue? Poe Vaughn put down the phone, closed his eyes. And the hand on Ava Sterling’s waist didn’t withdraw. Ava looked at Poe Vaughn, seeing him close his eyes , feeling confused—did something really happen? She couldn’t understand his thoughts, and fearing she’d upset him, especially after previously misunderstanding him, Ava decided not to speak, sitting quietly beside him without moving. If he wants to hold her, let him; it’s no big deal. Just hoping he feels better and doesn’t take it out on someone innocent. Thus, the car drove quietly all the way to Staghorn Mountain. Staghorn Mountain is located on the outskirts of Aurelia; it’s a scenic place, even more remote than The Vaughn Residence. So, it took the car over an hour to reach. Once Ava quieted down, she started watching the scenery, looking at the road outside; when the car hit the highway, then left it, entering Staghorn Mountain, she realized where Poe Vaughn’s grandfather lived. Staghorn Mountain is a tourist spot, with Taoist halls and buildings nearby; it’s said someone used to live here for a very long time. Hence, many people who pursue longevity choose to live here. Of course, there are many tourists too. Poe Vaughn’s grandfather lives in Staghorn Mountain, presumably also someone who pursues a long healthy life. Ava had a pretty good idea of what was going on. The car steadily stopped in the courtyard; soon, someone came to open the door. Poe Vaughn got out, and Ava followed suit. She didn’t look around, standing beside Poe Vaughn, gracefully linking arms with him, her face adorned with an elegant smile. "Third Young Master." The person opening the door was the old man’s butler, bowing respectfully when Poe Vaughn appeared. However, upon seeing Ava get out, he glanced at her. Poe Vaughn walked inside, Ava following. The villa was in the style of ancient architecture, divided into front and back yards, very large, especially the courtyard, arranged elegantly like in ancient times. Entering behind Poe Vaughn, Ava discreetly observed everything, confirming in her heart that the old man was a health enthusiast. "The old man is in the study writing, saying he’s waiting for you to come have a good look at his calligraphy." The butler led the way, talking as he walked. He also shared some of the old man’s antics, but Poe Vaughn mostly listened and occasionally responded, remaining as indifferent as he did at The Vaughn Residence. If Ava hadn’t already been with him for a month or two, his demeanor would make her think he was an especially cold and unfeeling person. If he’s even towards family, what isn’t cold-blooded and heartless? Fresh chapters posted on n̷o̷v̷e̷l̷f̷i̷r̷e̷.net The butler led them upstairs, arriving outside the old man’s study. The door was lightly tapped twice, then opened. Along with the door opening, hearty laughter resounded from inside: "Little Poe is here, isn’t he?" "Haha... come, take a good look at the calligraphy your grandfather has written." The old man’s voice was very loud and breath was extremely steady, indicating outstanding health. Ava raised an eyebrow, indeed a person of health—the difference shows. The butler opened the door and backed away, letting Poe Vaughn bring Ava in. At this moment, the old man stood behind the office desk, holding a wolf-hair brush, looking at the words on the Xuan paper; hearing the sound, he turned around with a face full of smiles. But upon seeing them, he was stunned. The old man’s gaze landed on Ava’s face, surprised. Clearly, he hadn’t expected Poe Vaughn to bring a woman along. Nonetheless, the old man’s eyes quickly settled on Ava’s hand linked with Poe Vaughn’s, then on Poe Vaughn’s face. Poe Vaughn looked at the old man, meeting his bright eyes, speaking: "Grandfather, her name is Ava Sterling, my wife." Finishing, he turned to Ava: "Call him grandfather." Ava instantly curved her eyebrows and eyes, showing a particularly obedient smile: "Hello, grandfather." The old man’s eyebrows twitched, his expression instantly changed. No matter how he imagined it, he didn’t expect Poe Vaughn to suddenly bring him a granddaughter-in-law. This sudden revelation was like hitting the old man with a heavy bomb, leaving him overwhelmed. Ava saw the old man’s expression, realizing he clearly had no clue about her and Poe Vaughn’s marriage registration. It seems the Vaughn Family hadn’t shared any news with the Rhodes Family. Had Poe Vaughn not personally brought her, the old man probably wouldn’t have known ever? Thinking this, Ava felt more assured about the relationship between the Vaughn Family and the Rhodes Family. "You... you got married?" After a while, the old man reacted, speaking unsteadily. Clearly, he found it hard to believe. Poe Vaughn replied definitively, leaving the old man at a loss for words. He looked at Ava, then at Poe Vaughn, his gaze moving back and forth between their faces, his expression gradually stabilizing. "Did you hold a wedding? Why didn’t you tell grandfather?" As he spoke, the old man put down the wolf-hair brush and came out from behind the desk. His face no longer smiling, instead showing helplessness and guilt, a deep sense of apology. To Poe Vaughn, whatever he did would be inadequate. His heart felt heavy. Poe Vaughn said, "We just registered, no wedding held yet." The old man’s eyes brightened instantly, his whole spirit uplifted: "No wedding held yet?" The old man smiled: "You haven’t held one yet, grandfather thought you already did, this is good, this is good." The old man’s demeanor recovered, his smile covering his entire face, gesturing to both of them: "Come, sit down, accompany grandfather for a chat." The old man sat on the sofa, Poe Vaughn and Ava followed suit. Soon, the old man asked, "When do you plan to hold it? Where will it be held? Grandfather will organize it for you, it’ll be great!"