?Chapter 760:


    In a faint, fragile voice, Truett asked, “Marc, why hasn’t Stee today?”


    Marc, still sore and bruised from the thrashing William gave him the night before, sat stiffly in the room, his face carrying both the marks and the shame. At Truett’s question, Marc’s eyes darted nervously before he muttered, “Grandpa, Ste had some sudden worke up. She… probably can’t make it today.”


    “Work? Right now?”


    A faint doubt passed through Truett’s eyes. He knew Ste too well; she wasn’t the type to break her word, especially while he was this sick.


    Without waiting for Marc to exin further, he grabbed his phone and dialed Ste’s number himself.


    By the time Marc caught on, the call was already ringing, and Truett shot him a sharp look that warned him not toe near or touch the phone.


    The call kept ringing, but no one picked up, and eventually, it cut off on its own.


    Truett refused to give up. He dialed again and again until, atst, someone picked up.


    “Hello? Truett.” Ste’s voice came through the line, but it was faint, detached, and colder than he’d ever heard it. There was exhaustion in her tone too, the kind that couldn’t be hidden. The warmth and care she usually spoke with were gone.


    Truett’s heart softened at once. He spoke with the gentle fondness of a grandfather. “Ste, my dear, why didn’t youe by today? I’ve been missing you.”


    There was a pause before her reply came. “Truett, I’m sorry. Things are going to be hectic for me for a while, and I probably won’t be able to visit. Please take care of yourself.”


    Her words pierced him, and his frown deepened. “What’s keeping you so busy all of a sudden? Is there something I can do? Maybe Marc—”


    “No need!” Ste’s sharp interruption carried an edge, especially at the mention of Marc. The faint resistance in her voice was unmistakable. “Truett, don’t trouble yourself. I really have to go now.”


    And then the line went dead. Truett stared at the phone, his hand trembling slightly. Something wasn’t right. Why had Ste’s behavior flipped so suddenly since yesterday?


    His mind reyed Marc’s panicked expression from earlier, that restless nce when he caught him trying to call Ste, and the strange injuries scattered across his grandson’s face. Slowly, a dreadful suspicion took root in his heart. Could it be that Marc had done something to her?


    gα?ησν????s?cо??, your storytelling home


    His head snapped up, eyes zing as they locked on his grandson. “Marc!” His voice shook with fury, his control barely holding. “Tell me the truth. Did you do somethingst night you shouldn’t have?”


    Marc stiffened, the color draining from his face. Cold sweat gathered on his forehead. “Grandpa… I swear, I didn’t do anything…”


    “Nothing at all?” Truett demanded with a deep frown.


    His body shook with anger as he suddenly snatched the cup from his bedside table and flung it at Marc. He knew him too well—his behavior and guilty look spoke louder than words.


    Marc’s eyes widened as he quickly ducked out of the way. The cup smashed against the wall behind him, water spraying across the room.


    “If you’re so innocent, then why didn’t shee today? Why won’t she even pick up my calls? And what about those bruises on your face? Do you really think I’m old enough to be fooled by such cheap lies?”


    .<fnf34a> Th?s chapter is updated by findnovel</fnf34a>


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