It’s already seven o’clock now, and it’ll be eight by the time we get back to The Vaughn Residence in an hour; elderly folks tend to sleep early, usually washing up and going to bed by nine. But if we’re going for a walk now, we’ll get back late. Is the old lady feeling particularly energetic today and planning to stay up late? Ava Sterling wondered while looking at Poe Vaughn, hoping to get an answer from his face. However, Poe Vaughn did not look at her; he only replied to Sharon Sheridan with a "Hmm." So, he’ll be accompanying Sharon Sheridan. Ava’s eyelashes fluttered as she withdrew her gaze. The old lady must often be alone, but now with them accompanying her, she naturally feels happy and wants their company. At this moment, Ava’s heart softened. As people grow older, their partners pass away, their children and grandchildren grow up, leaving them alone, which must be lonely. "Alright, let’s go for a walk!" "The air here is nice, and the scenery is decent; Poe and I have walked together here before." Ava linked her arm with Sharon Sheridan’s and headed outside, while Poe Vaughn walked beside Ava, slowing his pace to keep parallel with her. Sharon Sheridan was indeed surprised and looked at Poe Vaughn. Apparently, she hadn’t expected this. "I have a habit of walking after meals. When he’s free, I call him to join me. Walking is good for health, isn’t it?" Poe Vaughn stayed silent, looking ahead at the night, his steps always steady and unhurried. Just like his expression, it showed no particular change. Sharon Sheridan, seeing Poe Vaughn’s demeanor, deepened her smile: "Ava is right." "You can’t just sit or lie down after eating; it’s bad for your health." "Exactly, maintaining health has to start from a young age." "Your grandmother agrees with that." As they talked, they headed out, walking along the street. Ava and Sharon Sheridan kept chatting, moving from one topic to another, always having something to talk about along the way. Sometimes the conversation would touch on Poe Vaughn, and he would say a couple of words; in this way, the three of them leisurely strolled along the street, enjoying the evening breeze, everything feeling warm and peaceful. They walked outside for about an hour before returning, and it was already past eight o’clock. Ava was thinking that the old lady should be heading back by now, but surprisingly, Sharon Sheridan suggested playing chess with her. Seemingly in no hurry to return. Ava was quite surprised but didn’t dare to ask or say anything. Otherwise, it would be seen as chasing people away, so she could only look at Poe Vaughn, but Poe Vaughn seemed unaware she was watching him, completely ignoring her gaze. Thus, Ava accompanied Sharon Sheridan in playing chess, while Poe Vaughn watched the game from the side. Time passed again, until Sharon Sheridan yawned. Ava was holding a chess piece, frowning at the board, pondering her next move, when she heard Sharon Sheridan’s yawn, her heart tightened as she quickly looked up at Sharon Sheridan: "Grandma, are you sleepy?" Sharon Sheridan nodded, her face full of drowsiness. "Looks like Grandma can’t play chess with Ava anymore; Grandma needs to rest." After speaking, Sharon Sheridan got up and called out: "Mrs. Yu." Mrs. Yu and Mrs. Wei had tidied up the house and also attended to the flowers and plants in the backyard. Hearing Sharon Sheridan call, Mrs. Yu quickly came in: "Madam." Sharon Sheridan waved to her: "Let’s go upstairs, I need to rest." Mrs. Yu came over promptly, supported Sharon Sheridan, and the two of them went upstairs. Ava sat in her chair, holding a chess piece, watching them naturally heading upstairs, her mouth agape, the chess piece in her hand falling onto the chessboard with a clatter. She was stunned: "Is Grandma planning to stay here overnight..." Poe Vaughn looked at the chessboard; it wasn’t particularly difficult. Ava is, after all, a beginner, and Sharon Sheridan had been accommodating her, so the game wasn’t complicated. However, this chess piece Ava accidentally dropped landed just right, suddenly changing the game. Poe Vaughn glanced at the altered board, his eyes shifted slightly, murmured a "Hmm," then got up and left. In a blink, only Ava was left, sitting there alone. She watched as everyone went upstairs, unable to figure out what to do. Mrs. Wei finished tending the plants and had no more tasks at home, so she came in. There, she saw Ava sitting, staring upstairs, seemingly unsure of how to react. "Madam, what’s wrong?" Mrs. Wei came over to ask, Ava shook her head: "Nothing." Just felt a bit unbelievable, it seemed suddenly everything became different. Ava furrowed her brow, clearly contemplating something. Mrs. Wei saw Ava’s expression, unable to guess Ava’s thoughts, but instead remembered Ava’s health, quickly saying: "Is Madam feeling unwell?" Ava shook her head: "No." Suddenly, a flash crossed her mind, Ava thought of something, quickly asking: "Mrs. Wei, did Grandma mention staying here today?" The old lady headed upstairs directly, with Mrs. Yu accompanying her; it seemed as if the room had already been prepared. Not spontaneous at all. So, did the old lady mention it during the day? Did Mrs. Wei already prepare the room? Mrs. Wei’s eyes flickered upon hearing Ava’s question, and her expression changed: "Madam, it’s just..." Mrs. Wei hesitated, seemingly troubled, unsure whether to continue. Seeing her like that, Ava quickly said: "Just what? Speak quickly!" Mrs. Wei’s pause made Ava tense. Hope nothing goes wrong. Mrs. Wei looked at Ava, then upstairs, with no one coming down, it was quiet up there. She leaned closer to Ava, whispering: "Madam, the old lady knows you and the gentleman are sleeping in separate rooms." The old lady’s strange behavior today was because of this, waiting for her. Ava’s heart raced, thoughts swirling in her head. How did the old lady find out that she and Poe Vaughn were sleeping in separate rooms? Did the old lady check every room or ask Mrs. Wei? In that instant, countless questions popped into Ava’s mind, yet none of them were chaotic. Meanwhile, Mrs. Wei recalled Sharon Sheridan’s words to her. For original chapters go to novel※fire.net "I’ll stay at the house tonight, if Ava asks, just say I know she’s been sleeping separately from Poe." "But, tell her that I found out after visiting and asking around, you then informed me that Ava and Poe had a minor dispute these days, leading to them sleeping apart." "I wasn’t aware they’ve been sleeping separately all along, understood?" The old lady had arranged everything, intending for the gentleman and madam to stop sleeping separately. She understood the old lady’s intent. Mrs. Wei whispered: "Madam, don’t worry, I didn’t tell the old lady that you and the gentleman have been sleeping separately all along, only that you had a small conflict recently, so you’re sleeping apart." Ava was still pondering, Mrs. Wei’s words reached her ears. Ava felt tense, but quickly relaxed, she looked up at Mrs. Wei, and said: "How did Grandma discover this?" Mrs. Wei frowned and shook her head: "I don’t know either, I was in the kitchen downstairs, and suddenly the old lady came to ask if you and the gentleman were sleeping separately, she mentioned seeing a prepared room with your belongings, she had seen it, asking me not to hide the truth." "I had no choice but to confirm." Ava understood, the old lady is quite astute, she carefully observed their relationship while visiting. Though Ava couldn’t quite grasp the old lady’s perspective, now that things reached this point, she had no option but to share a room with Poe Vaughn. At this thought, Ava’s heart suddenly raced.