<h4>Chapter 163: The Return of Aunt Be</h4>


    Mrs. Eliza Grant, the current Mayor of Stockport Council, had been busier than ever. Ever since the shocking events now known as the Stockport Scandal, which utterly destroyed the once-mighty Brown family, her prominence in the region had grown day by day.


    With MP Oliver Brown having fled after the scandal and still missing, an arrest warrant was issued and his name was added to Interpol’s wanted list. Everyone in Stockport now believed that Eliza Grant would soon be the next Member of Parliament for the area.


    The Brown family had dominated both business and politics in the region for years. Numerous development projects were ongoing under their name, but following their bankruptcy, every one of those projects came to an abrupt halt. The public saw no hope ofpletion... until Mayor Grant stepped in.


    She brought the powerful Miller Group from Manchester and sessfully negotiated their involvement to take over andplete the stalled projects.


    From a business perspective, the Miller Group faced some initial losses, but the decision significantly boosted their reputation in Stockport and skyrocketed Mayor Grant’s poprity. Although the councilcked adequate funds forrge-scale development, she forged coborations with other agencies, leveraging influence and goodwill to get the work done.


    Just as she finished an interview with several media outlets, her phone vibrated. ncing down and seeing the caller ID read Eleanor, she immediately silenced the phone.


    Then, standing up with grace, she addressed the reporters, "Thank you for your support. If you have more questions, feel free to post them on my page. I’ll respond personally. Now, please excuse me. I need to attend to some official matters."


    With that, she swiftly exited the conference room and walked straight to her private office. Closing the door behind her, she picked up the call.


    Eleanor’s crisp voice came through immediately. "Mayor Grant, please go to London today and meet the Party Chairman. Tomorrow’s meeting will fill the party’s vacant positions. You need to be there."


    Eliza sighed softly. "I told you to call me aunt, but you never listen," she said with a wry smile.


    Then, regaining herposure, she added, "Alright. I’ll catch the afternoon flight."


    Eleanor continued, "You should start focusing on the national stage. In your constituency, your poprity is more than enough. Your nomination is secured. If you want an important role, it’s time to startworking with the Lords. Also, Baron Chapman needs reliable people by his side."


    "I know. Don’t worry," Eliza replied confidently. "I’ll handle it."


    "Good. I’ve got other matters to attend to. If there’s nothing else, take care," Eleanor said, her tone sharp but not unfriendly.


    "I’ll call if I need anything," Eliza promised.


    "Okay." The call ended.


    Eliza ced the phone gently on the desk and sank into her chair. A wave of quiet reflection washed over her.


    How had shee this far?


    She was content being Mayor. Bing an MP had always been her dream to step into herte father’s footsteps, and she had been chasing it more for him than herself. But now, that distant dream was within reach.


    Ever since she met Eleanor, her entire worldview had shifted. The young woman... just in her twenties... held more power and influence than seasoned politicians.


    Eliza chuckled to herself, the corner of her lips curling into a smile. "Esmeralda... what a monster you created! You fled from politics, but now your daughter bends it to her will."


    She leaned back in her chair, the smile still lingering, knowing she was about to step into a game farrger than she had ever imagined.


    ***


    When Eleanor arrived at Hope Specialized Hospital, she went straight to Isabe’s cabin. Isabe’s treatment was essentiallyplete. The uing follow-up sessions were routine and could be handled by anypetent doctor familiar with breast cancer. Today, she would be discharged, and Eleanor hade to take her to her vi.


    Pushing the door open, Eleanor stepped inside. Behind her, her protocol officer, La, followed silently. But the moment Eleanor entered the room, her eyesnded on a middle-aged man in a ck suit, seated on a chair. He bore a slight resemnce to Aunt Be.


    "Oh, Eleanor! You’re here," Isabe smiled warmly. "Let me introduce you. This is my son, Isaac. And Isaac, this is Eleanor, the one I’ve been telling you about."


    Isaac stood up and gave a polite bow. "I don’t know how I can ever express my gratitude, Lady Langford. If it weren’t for you, my mother would probably still be waiting in the NHS queue. If there’s ever anything I can do for you, please don’t hesitate to ask."


    Eleanor waved her hand dismissively. "I didn’t do it for thanks... or for you. My mother entrusted Aunt Be with raising me after her death. Now that I’m grown, it’s my turn to take care of her."


    Isaac nodded, undeterred. "Regardless of your reason, you’re now a benefactor of our family. I’ll always treat you as such."


    Eleanor didn’t argue. Instead, she turned to La. "Pack everything Aunt Be needs to take home. And give me the new dress I bought."


    With a soft, "Oh!" La handed the bag to Eleanor, then began moving around the room to pack Isabe’s belongings.


    Eleanor walked over to Isabe and handed her the bag. "Aunt Be, please change into this dress. Freya is waiting for you at home. The clothes you’ve been wearing here might be contaminated. Let La take care of packing. We’ll wash everything once we’re back."


    Isabe hesitated. "But Isaac came to bring me to his home. I’m feeling fine. I can travel to London now."


    Eleanor replied calmly, "If you want to spend a few days with your family, I have no objection. But first,e home with me today. Freya’s been very eager to see you. Tomorrow, you can leave for London."


    She turned to Isaac. "How were you nning to take her back?"


    "I drove here," Isaac said. "I was going to take her home in my car."


    "Then it’s settled. You’ll both stay at my ce tonight. After breakfast tomorrow, you can drive her back to London."


    Her tone left no room for argument. Isaac nodded, still feeling slightly overwhelmed. "As you wish, Lady Langford. My mother can certainly stay for a day. I’ve already taken the day off tomorrow. I’ll just book a nearby hotel for the night."


    Isaac had heard from his mother that Eleanor was the daughter of Lady Esmeralda Langford, but he didn’t know her current family name. Out of respect, he used her mother’s title when addressing her... just as one would address the descendant of an Earl. Eleanor didn’t correct him. Nor did she feel the need to.


    "You won’t need a hotel," she said tly. "There’s plenty of space in my home."


    At that moment, La finished packing. "Everything’s ready," she informed Eleanor.


    Eleanor nodded. "Aunt Be, let’s go."


    "Wait, don’t we need to inform the doctors? They haven’t given me a discharge certificate yet," Isabe asked.


    "There’s no need to worry," Eleanor replied. "They’ll send all the paperwork and necessary medications to meter."


    "Alright then." Isabe smiled and followed her out of the room.


    La had already informed the driver, so the convoy was waiting at the hospital entrance.


    Standing beside her Range Rover, Eleanor turned to Isaac. "Where’s your car?"


    He pointed to a sedan parked nearby.


    Eleanor nodded. "Good. Follow my car. La, inform security of his number te. He’ll be at the end of the convoy."


    She then helped Isabe into her car before getting in herself. La took the passenger seat.


    Isaac hurried to his own car and pulled out of the parking lot. As soon as he did, Eleanor’s car rolled forward. Two identical Range Rovers moved in front of him, and Isaac quickly realized they were all part of her convoy.


    As the vehicles left the hospital grounds, several of the same cars joined the formation. At one intersection, when they all turned right, Isaac counted at least nine simr vehicles ahead of him. He had no idea which one carried his mother and Eleanor.


    Cursing the excesses of the wealthy, he resigned himself to following the convoy from behind.


    Thankfully, the speed limits within the city kept the cars close together. Eventually, they entered a private gate that shut immediately behind him. The convoy slowed, and finally came to a stop inside an enormous estate.


    Isaac got out of his car, unsure what to do.


    La approached him swiftly. "Hello, Mr. Isaac. Your mother is already inside the boss’s vi. A ce has been arranged for you to stay the night. Please don’t wander around alone. If you need anything, call the house staff or one of the guards. Also, do not order delivery from outside. If you need to leave the premises, inform us beforehand."


    She nced behind him. "Maxwell, this is a guest of the boss. Please take him to the guest vi."


    "Guest vi?" Isaac muttered, astonished. He didn’t even have a proper guest room in his own home.


    But his thoughts were cut short when a deep voice spoke beside him. "Sir, please follow me."


    Isaac turned... and nearly copsed in fright.


    Behind him stood a tall, ck-d man carrying arge Machine Gun type weapon on his back, with a pistol strapped to his side. He looked like a soldier ready for battle.


    Isaac instinctively looked toward the gate... and saw two more armed guards stationed there. He nced around and noticed several soldiers with simr weapons patrolling the area. His heart pounded in his chest. It felt as if he weren’t in Manchester anymore, but in Aleppo, Sanaa, or Baghdad. Suddenly, being wealthy lost all its charm.


    Wordlessly, he followed Maxwell, who led him to a nearby vi. Inside, a graceful, well-dressed woman greeted them. Maxwell exined Isaac’s identity and left. The woman showed him to a room more luxurious than anything he’d ever imagined.


    Once she left and the door clicked shut behind her, Isaac copsed on the plush bed, still trying to process everything.