Emily had meticulously dressed herself today, her presence exuding a strong, genteel air of literary grace.


    However, upon seeing Emily''s familiar face, Mirabe was momentarily taken aback, "Marian, you..."


    She had encountered thisdy before at James'' doorstep, where she imed she was looking for her son, even mentioning his name was Holmes.


    Holmes...


    Mirabe''s gaze shifted abruptly back to James, standing next to Emily, their resemnce unmistakable.


    A barely visible shiver ran through her cheeks.


    Guessing that Mirabe still remembered her, Emily cleared her throat and suggested, "... Let''s talk inside."


    Mirabe obediently nodded, following Emily.


    James, feeling somewhat overlooked, raised an eyebrow in thought, trailing behind with a gift box in hand.


    Once in the living room, Trevor stood up, greeting Mirabe with a smile, "Mirabe''s here."


    "Hello, Uncle," Mirabe nodded slightly, her gaze then falling on Donald beside Trevor, pausing for a moment before calmly addressing him, "Grandfather."


    Despite being eighty, Donald was in high spirits, radiating vitality.


    He waved Mirabe over with a beaming smile, "Come here, my dear granddaughter, let Grandfather have a good look at you."


    Mirabe, struggling to control her reaction, thought, Here we go again with Donald.


    Emily and Trevor, oblivious to the subtle tension between the elder and the younger, simply took it as Donald being pleased with his granddaughter-inw.


    Dinner was ready in the kitchen, and Emily suggested, "Let''s eat first, we can talk over the meal."


    The group proceeded to the dining room.


    Donald seated Mirabe next to him, chatting away during the meal. Perhaps out of happiness, he even asked Trevor to open a bottle of red wine.


    Mirabe joined in with a few sses, her fair cheeks gaining a rosy hue, yet her eyes remained clear, seemingly unaffected by the alcohol.


    Meanwhile, Donald began to feel dizzy shortly after the meal and was helped back to his room by the servants to rest.


    Seeing Mirabe''s flushed cheeks, Emily worried she might be drunk and brought her a ss of honey water, asking, "Do you feel unwell anywhere, dear?"


    Mirabe shook her head, thanking her. Although not a heavy drinker, she could handle a few sses.


    Relieved that Mirabe didn''t seem intoxicated, Emily sat down beside her and, after a moment''s thought, asked, "How''s your thesis going?"


    Holding the ss, Mirabe''s slender, pale fingers were


    noticeable, "Thanks to Maria


    detailed guidance the other day, I''ve finished and submitted one."


    Emily smiled warmly, "We''re all family here; no need for formalities."


    Mirabe lowered her head, silently sipping her honey water, her demeanor growing even more demure.


    Seeing this, Emily inwardly marveled at her son''s fortune in finding such a well- behaved girl.


    After some more conversation between the two.


    James, having discussed some matters with Trevor upstairs, came down to the living room and, upon seeing Mirabe, said lightly, "Mom, it''s gettingte; I should take Mira back."


    "So soon?" Emily looked up at the clock on the wall, which showed it was exactly nine o''clock, then suggested to Mirabe, "We have plenty of rooms here; why not stay the night and go back tomorrow?"


    Mirabe blinked, not having declined yet when she heard James'' voice again.