Jude Crawford’s pupils contracted involuntarily. He wasn’t aware of what the special occasion today was. His large palm clasped her waist, locking his gaze onto her with eyes as scorching as magma. Isabelle Willow’s face flushed. For the better part of her life, she had never been the initiator. Others always said that men preferred women who understood the art of seduction; she didn’t want to be lacking compared to others. If others could, then so could she. Yet, under his gaze, she still felt as if aflame. "What are you staring at?" "I’m just checking if you really haven’t aged a bit." "But I see that you’ve aged." "Mrs. Crawford, you must understand, men get better with age." Outside the door came the childish voice of little Pip, "Grandpa, Grandma, time to get up. The sun is shining on your little behinds already. Why are you lingering in bed today?" The maids in the villa, seeing Mr. and Mrs. Crawford waking up so late for the first time, could easily guess what had happened last night. "Little master, please don’t make noise. Let Mr. and Mrs. Crawford sleep a bit longer. I’ll go play with you," a maid coaxed the little boy. Little Pip’s big eyes sparkled mischievously, "Alright, I’ll go play by myself for a while." Twenty minutes later, as little Pip sat in the living room, he heard footsteps. He looked back, "Grandpa, good morning." Jude Crawford came down. Today he was wearing a grey thin sweater with black trousers, exuding a homely elegance and sophistication. His gaze fell on Pip’s small face, "Good morning." At this moment, a melodious voice reached his ears. Isabelle Willow had come downstairs, "Pip." Today, Isabelle Willow was dressed in a deep blue qipao, not lace embroidered but made of silk brocade. This silk material perfectly outlined her graceful figure. Today, she didn’t wear her hair up but let it down loosely, tucked casually behind her ear. Isabelle Willow looked exceptionally radiant today, resembling a thirty-something charming mature woman. "Wow, Grandma looks so beautiful today." Little Pip ran over and hugged Isabelle Willow’s leg. Isabelle Willow affectionately pinched the little boy’s cheek, "Our Pip’s sweet-talking is exceptionally good today." Little Pip grinned cunningly, "Grandma, didn’t we agree last night to make sure Grandpa couldn’t get out of bed? Why are you up late too?" Isabelle Willow’s face quickly turned red. She glanced at Jude Crawford beside her, only to see his gaze lingering tenderly on her, "Pip, stop saying nonsense." Pip, I wasn’t saying nonsense. "Grandpa, Grandma, Dad and Mom are going on a trip far away. They’re leaving tonight, and before they go, they’re coming to have dinner." Hayden Crawford and Serena Sterling’s trip to Bayside was officially on the itinerary, leaving tonight. They knew Jude Crawford and Isabelle Willow had reunited, so they were not at ease and came over for dinner before departing. Isabelle Willow’s eyes lit up, "Great, I’ll cook dinner myself tonight." Hayden Crawford brought Serena Sterling over. Serena went into the kitchen to find Isabelle Willow, while Jude Crawford and Hayden Crawford stood talking on the veranda at the villa’s entrance. On the lawn, the maids brought out many fireworks. Little Pip lit one, and the dazzling fireworks instantly illuminated the night sky. Jude Crawford watched the fireworks, "Hayden, I heard you’re taking Serena on a trip to Bayside?" Hayden Crawford nodded, "Yes, we’re going to handle some past matters." Jude Crawford didn’t ask further. Tonight he seemed particularly homely, setting aside that layer of sharpness and authority, his brows and eyes imbued with the gentleness of a father and husband. "Uncle Crawford~" At this moment, Serena Sterling came out. Jude Crawford turned back to see Serena leaning by the door, her bright eyes smiling at him. "Daddy, these fireworks are so much fun. Hurry and come over," little Pip called out to Hayden Crawford. Hayden Crawford went to accompany little Pip. Serena Sterling came to Jude Crawford’s side. She looked up at the night sky tonight, for some reason, tonight’s night sky was extraordinarily beautiful, everything was so warm and lovely. "Uncle Crawford, are you happy now?" Serena Sterling asked. Jude Crawford nodded, "Very happy." "I just saw Aunt Yara. Aunt Yara is also very happy. Uncle Crawford, after drifting through half of your life, you’ll always be happy together in the future." Jude Crawford slowly curved his lips into a smile, but he did not respond. Serena Sterling noticed Jude Crawford’s strangeness tonight, as if he was hiding something from everyone. She wanted to speak, but just then, little Pip came running over, "Mommy, hurry and come play~" Jude Crawford gently said, "Go ahead." Little Pip pulled Serena Sterling away. Walking on the lawn, Serena Sterling turned back, looking towards Jude Crawford in the veranda. At this time, the vintage palace lanterns in the veranda cast a glow on the man’s upright shoulders. This Crawford family’s favored son, who at merely teenage years created his empire legend, reigning at the peak of power for decades was someone refined by time, a ruler, a conqueror. Yet, for some reason, tonight he seemed touched by the frost of time. Amidst the chaotic world, noisy and bustling, he stood there alone. Serena Sterling didn’t know if she was seeing an illusion, but she vaguely thought she saw a few strands of white hair on his temple. Serena Sterling didn’t know at the moment that tonight would be the last time she saw Jude Crawford. Little Pip pulled Serena Sterling over, and Hayden Crawford grasped her hand, "Serena, why is your hand so cold?" Serena Sterling sensed an unpleasant foreboding, her intuition usually accurate. She felt something was quietly slipping away from her side. Jude Crawford stood in the veranda, soon he lightly coughed, feeling a warm surge of blood in his throat. He swiftly turned around and went inside. Reaching a quiet place, he took out a handkerchief, coughing up a lot of blood. "Sir." Butler Thorne hurried over, his face changing drastically, "Sir, your coughing blood has worsened in the past two days. I’ll go call the doctor." Jude Crawford gently raised his hand, stopping Butler Thorne. He knew his own body, it was even worse than the doctor’s diagnosis. He probably hadn’t even a month left. Newest update provıded by 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡•𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚•𝙣𝙚𝙩 Jude Crawford stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, outside fireworks were dazzling. He extended his hand, watching the stream of time slipping through his fingers. He knew he had already boarded the last train of life, his end was near. It was estimated to be these two days. During the days Hayden Crawford and Serena Sterling were away. Why did it feel so sorrowful? Why was it so hard to let go? Happiness was clearly within reach. Unknowingly starting to crave the present, always wishing time could slow down, and slow down some more, but he had already reached the end. Serena Sterling still felt uneasy, so she went upstairs, heading straight to the study to find Jude Crawford. But as she reached the study door, she heard Butler Thorne’s voice.