<b>Chapter </b><b>448 </b>


    Mirabe sent off her visitor with a flourish of delight that made Donald question, for <b>the </b>umpteenth time, if he had unwittingly stumbled upon an academy award–winning actress <b>in </b><b>disguise</b>.


    After returning to the vi with James, Donald still couldn’t wrap his head around the


    events.


    “Spill it. What have you been up to these past two days, and what’s this about a hospital?” James asked, his tone even–keeled as his long fingers deftly rolled up his sleeves.


    Donald sat silently on the couch, his gaze drifting. “I haven’t done anything.” He made no mention of his little scam fiasco.


    A half–smirk flickered across James‘ face as he nced over. Donald cleared his throat, resting his hands on his cane, and with a huff, demanded, “So, where’s my coffee beans?” James had anticipated the tea debacleing to light, so he owned up with a casual admission, “Gave it away.”


    Donald felt a pang of betrayal. “You ungrateful brat!”


    With an unflinching face, James nodded, “Yes, you’ve praised me with those words before.” He had to live up to thebel, after all.


    Donald red at him. James‘ ability to be shamelessly insufferable was somehow reaching new heights.


    Taking a deep breath and letting go of the coffee beans incident, Donald shifted gears, “So, tell me, how are things going with the Davis family’s youngdy?”


    James met his grandfather’s gaze with calm indifference, his eyes cool and detached, betraying no emotion, “So, this is why you staged that ident and showed up at the Davis ce?” He decided to spare Donald the mention of freeloading for the sake of his dignity.


    Donald diverted his gaze with a mumble, “Can’t I be anxious about you finding a girlfriend?”


    James massaged his temples, opting to remain silent.


    ?? ?? ?? ?


    <b>“</b>Just look at you, all stoic and indifferent… Sigh, when will I ever see a


    granddaughter–inw?” Donaldmented.


    James nced at him and said softly, “Perhaps in your dreams.”


    <b>Donald </b>retorted, “<b>You </b>little brat!”


    <b>Soon </b>after, the men James had dispatched to search for Donald – Wyatt and <b>Curtis </b>–


    <b>10:49 </b>


    finally ambled back to the vi.


    Wyatt, who had been shadowing James, wasn’t too concerned about facing Donald, Curtis, however, as the mastermind behind the coffee beans heist, felt quite uneasy. But much to his relief, aside from Donald’s piercing looks, no fire came his way.


    After studying Donald’s reaction, Curtis‘ curiosity piqued, and he ventured, “Mr. Donald, where have you been shacking up thesest few days?”


    Unaware that Donald had emerged from the neighboring Davis residence, Curtis was genuinely baffled by his repeated yet unsessful attempts to pinpoint Donald’s whereabouts.


    As Curtis spoke, Wyatt also sneakily eyed Donald, equally curious. Donald half–closed his eyes and leveled a look at Curtis. “I fear the truth might be a blow to your ego.”


    Curtis‘ mouth twitched, feeling his skills belittled once more.


    “So, where exactly were you? Curtis couldn’t locate you no matter how hard he tried,” Wyatt chimed in.


    “Amateur,” Donald scoffed. “Your tech game is weak.”


    Curtis, frequently stung by such remarks these days, had grown numb to the jabs.


    James cast a nce at Donald and stated tly, “He was next door.”


    “Next door?” Wyatt scratched his head. The Davis family lived next door, didn’t they? His eyes widened in shock, “No way, Donald was crashing at Ms. Mirabe ce?”


    J