Chapter 162 At the ckwood family estate . In the ground floor hall . Catherine , upon hearing of Lucy''s safe return , finally showed a long - absent smile . " Thank goodness she''s back , that''s a relief . " Andrew ckwood''s brow rxed as he asked , " What did the Winters family say ? " Asher''s expression remained unchanged , his demeanor calm as he replied , " Not much , really . " Catherine paused . " I''ll visit Lucy tomorrow at the Winters '' home .


    I''ll bring some proper gifts and apologize to Randolph and Victoria . After all , Lucy was kidnapped because of our family . " Upon hearing this , Lady ckwood snorted coldly , her mouth turned down in displeasure . " That''s hardly necessary . The girl has returned perfectly fine , hasn''t she ? Nothing serious happened . Why act so subservient ? Catherine , you are thedy of the ckwood family . Your position and status are clear . You must remember that represents the ckwood family .


    Don''t do things that demean our position . " your every word and actio Catherine frowned . " Mother , how is this demeaning ? After such an incident , if we remain indifferent , that would be truly inappropriate . " Asher said , " Grandmother , this kidnapping has caused Lucy severe psychological trauma . Her mental state is currently very poor .


    " The implication was clear : Lucy had not returned " perfectly fine " at all , and the ckwood family should take responsibility for what happened . " Hmph , " Lady ckwood''s eyes were full of displeasure . " She was just frightened , that''s all . Children are easily scared , it''s normal . She''ll be fine in a few days . No need to make such a fuss . " Catherine''s brow furrowed as she looked from Lady ckwood to Asher , appearing as if she wanted to speak but was hesitant .


    Asher maintained his cool demeanor , seeming not to have heard Lady ckwood''s sarcastic remarks . He simply turned to Catherine and said , " If you want to visit Lucy , you should contact Uncle Randolph or Victoria beforehand to ask their opinion . Lucy is currently receiving psychological treatment at home and may not be able to see visitors . " Catherine nodded . " Of course . " Seeing that she was being ignored , Lady ckwood''s face darkened .


    " Asher , are you deliberately contradicting your grandmother ? " 11 .: A True Heiress 98.29 % Chapter 162 Asher''s thin lips parted . " How could I possibly ? If you , in your esteemed position , don''t wish to visit the Winters family , that''s your prerogative , I can''t dictate your actions , can 17 " " Do you genuinely not understand my meaning , or are you pretending not to ? I forbid you from going to the Winters '' home . " Lady ckwood then turned to her daughter - in -w , Catherine .


    " And you are not to go either ! " " Mother … " Catherine looked troubled . " Brother , please don''t argue with Grandmother … " Grace softened her voice . Asher didn''t even nce at Grace as he stood up and said , " I have matters to attend to . I''ll be off now . " With that , he turned and left . " Brother- " Grace called after Asher''s retreating figure . " Just look at his behaviour ! " Lady ckwood was furious .


    " Mother , I should be going too , " Catherine said , eyeing Lady ckwood''s expression and speaking in a gentle , conciliatory tone . " Do try to calm down . " Lady ckwood looked coldly at Catherine . " Calm down ? If you didn''t vex me , would I need to calm down ? " Catherine was at a loss for words and silently sighed . " Grandmother , try the tea I''ve brewed for you . First flush Darjeeling , your favourite . " Grace lifted the teacup and offered it to Lady ckwood .


    " Tell me if my tea - making skills have improved . " Lady ckwood took a sip of tea , her expression softening somewhat . " Grace is always so thoughtful . " Catherine nced at Grace but said nothing , then turned and left . Andrew had never had much say in this household , and since this incident involved his illegitimate son , he felt even less entitled to speak .


    During the charged exchange between Lady ckwood and Asher , Andrew had pretended to be deaf and blind , acting as if he hadn''t heard anything . He took a sip of tea , made a few token remarks , and also left . During thew firm meeting , Thalia seemed somewhat distracted . After the meeting , she returned to her office to organize materials . Shortly after , there was a knock at the door . The next moment , the door opened and Rupert Lysander appeared in the doorway . " Ms.


    Winters , may Ie in ? " Thalia nodded . " Please , do . " 98.3 % Chapter 162 Rupert entered . Thalia asked , " Is this about the Sr case ? I was just about to find you . It''s be ratherplex , and I wanted to hear your thoughts . " Sr was a biotechnologypany whose CEO was an old friend of Randolph Winters . As soon as Winters & Associates opened . Sr had entrusted them with several cases .


    One of these cases involvedplicated legal rtionships and iplete evidence , making litigation quite risky . Rupert shook his head . " I didn''te to see you about the Sr case , actually . " Thalia looked up , confusion shing in her eyes . " What is it , then ? " " Something troubling youtely ? " Thalia paused . " You noticed ? " " Yes , " Rupert smiled . " You''ve been miles away . You might as well have '' I''ve got something on my mind '' written across your face .


    " Thalia pursed her lips . " Is it really tha " Frightfully so ." obvious ? " " Fair enough . " Thalia lowered her eyshes , speaking somewhat dejectedly . " There''s been a bit of a situation at home . " Rupert''s eyes deepened with concern . " May I ask what''s happened ? " Thalia considered for a moment , then said , " Something happened to my sister . Her mental state is rather poor right now , and I''m quite worried about her .


    " " I know the most authoritative and professional psychologists in the country , " Rupert said . " Perhaps I could help . " head . " We already have a psychologist providing in - home " That won''t be necessary for now , " Thalia shook h treatment . Let''s see how effective it is first . If it doesn''t work out , I''ll give you a shout . Thanks , Rupert . " Rupert''s gaze softened . " No need to stand on ceremony with me .


    " " After all , I''m one of the partners , essentially a co - owner of the firm , " Rupert smiled , joking . " If your state of mind affects your work and we lose cases or fail to collect final payments , I''ll end up out of pocket too , you know . " Thalia knew he was joking and smiled . " Don''t worry , Mr. Partner . I won''t let you down . Concerns aside , my professional capabilities are beyond question . " Thalia picked up a court judgment and waved it at Rupert .


    " Look , we''ve just received another favorable verdict . The 98.5 % Chapter 162 court supported all our ims , and the final ￡ 15,000 in legal fees has just been credited . " Rupert''s eyes crinkled as he smiled . " As expected of Ms. Winters . " Thalia''s mood improved a bit as she joked . " Rest assured , working with me won''t leave you skint . " Rupert''s eyes gleamed with amusement , his tone gentle . " Good to know . " Soon it was time to leave work .


    People from thew firm gradually departed . Thalia finished organizing her case materials , turned off the office lights , closed the door , and headed toward the exit . " Ms. Winters , " Rupert called out . Thalia turned back . " Yes ? " Rupert walked over , his attractive eyes smiling behind his gold - rimmed sses . " Weren''t you going to discuss the Sr case with me ? There''s a new restaurant nearby . A friend mentioned the food is quite good . Shall we talk over dinner ?


    " Thalia paused briefly . " That sounds lovely . " Although the workday was over , Thalia didn''t mind discussing work with Rupert after hours . After all , she wasn''t working for someone else - this was her ownw firm , and Sr was her case . She appreciated that Rupert was willing to sacrifice his own free time to discuss the case with her . Thalia smiled and said , " Let me treat you , Rupert . Consider it thanks for helping me analyze the case .


    " " I''d be delighted , " Rupert graciously epted without hesitation . Thalia pressed the elevator button , and Rupert stood quietly beside her , waiting for the lift . ? ( 0 )