Not only did Adrian fail to get angry, but he instead looked at Anneliese with a thoughtful expression.


    Gianna clenched her fingers, lifted her wrist, and nced at her watch. "Dad, I told Mom we''d be there in half an hour. She should be waiting for us by now."


    Seeing that Adrian seemed inclined to continue talking with Anneliese at length, Gianna immediately stopped worrying about finding more trouble for Anneliese and hurried to remind him that it was time to leave.


    In fact, Adrian wanted to talk more with Anneliese about Ellie. Hearing Gianna''s words, he remembered they were heading to meet Wendy.


    He couldn''t pass up on the opportunity.


    Still, his granddaughter''s situation was just as important. Thinking of something, Adrian looked at Anneliese and said, "Would you like toe along as well?"


    Adrian remembered Gianna mentioning that Anneliese had once been saved by Wendy. Since they all knew each other, bringing Anneliese along did not seem inappropriate.


    "What?" Anneliese waspletely taken aback.


    Gianna clenched her fists and immediately tugged at Adrian again.


    "Dad, it''s supposed to be a family get-together. It''ll only be awkward for Mrs. Fullbuster. Besides, isn''t she still with a friend?"


    Adrian agreed that he might''ve acted on impulse.


    Ellie''s condition would not improve in a day or two, nor with just one or two encounters.


    Now that he knew Anneliese could soothe Ellie and that the little girl was especially attached to her, he could always find time and opportunitiester for them to spend more time together.


    Adrian nodded. "The Malones and Fullbusters have been close for generations. Steven and Jonathan are also good friends. Gianna is still young-she''s lively, innocent, and speaks her mind. I''m sure there aren''t any deep grudges between you two, right? It would be best to clear up the misunderstanding and get along well in the future. What do you think?"


    Adrian looked at Anneliese. Although he was no longer pursuing the matter of the spilled coffee, his words clearly implied that Gianna was not really at fault—and that even if she was, others should be the ones to amodate her.


    Anneliese smirked, feeling somewhat displeased, but she didn''t bother arguing. She merely smiled and looked at Gianna. "As long as Ms. Malone doesn''t go looking for trouble, we''ll have no issues."


    Gianna let out a light scoff. "See, Dad? She doesn''t even respect you."


    Seeing that the two truly could not get along, Adrian felt a headacheing on.


    As an elder, he could not overly interfere in the interactions and disputes between young women. As long as Anneliese did not vent her frustrations with Gianna onto Ellie, that was enough.


    From what he had seen, Anneliese was actually quite caring and affectionate toward the little girl.


    Adrian nced at Gianna and said nothing more, thinking he''d tell Steven about thister.


    Steven could worry about his own daughter, and he wouldmunicate with Jonathan himself.


    Meanwhile, Jonathan would surely have Anneliese cooperate in Ellie''s treatment.


    "Ellie,e to Grandpa. We''re going to see Grandma now," Adrian said, reaching out to Ellie.


    Ellie did not want to leave at all and tightened her hold around Anneliese''s neck. Feeling a little helpless, Anneliese patted Ellie''s small bottom and leaned in to whisper a few gentle words to her.


    Ellie loosened her grip and turned to look at her.


    As if confirming something, she watched Anneliese closely. When she saw Anneliese nod at her, Ellie blinked, then obediently turned and stretched her hand out toward Adrian.


    Adrian quickly took his granddaughter into his arms. He gave Anneliese another


    long look, then nodded, holding Ellie as he left together with Gianna.


    "Gosh, that just scared me to death."


    Nicole, who had been carefully keeping a tow profile the entire time, afraid of catching Adrian''s attention, finally rxed once they were gone. She patted her chest and plopped back down on the couch.


    Anneliese smiled at her. "We''re at a cafe. Even if he''s the president of apany,


    what can he do to us?"


    Nicole snorted. "That''s easy for


    to say. You''re Mr. Fullbuster''s


    treasure so you don''t have to


    afraid. The Horowitz family can''t afford to offend the Malone family."


    Anneliese raised her brows slightly. "Thanks for earlier."


    Nicole was clearly afraid of offending the Malone family, yet she had still stepped in when Gianna sshed coffee on her. Anneliese appreciated that.


    Nicole blinked and was about to say something when her phone rang.


    She answered it and quickly hung up, then said to Anneliese, "Since it''s settled, let''s hang around for longer. I''ve had someone bring over the new identity documents."


    Meanwhile, as soon as Ellie got into the Rolls-Royce, she grew sleepy and fell asleep leaning against Adrian''s shoulder.


    Gianna had yet to change out of her stained clothes. Holding a towel, she wiped at the mess on the front of her outfit and frowned as she looked at Adrian.


    "Dad, Ellie is only like this with Anneliese. Aren''t you worried Anneliese might''ve done something to her?"