Adrian did not release his grip on Ellie. On the contrary, he shifted sideways to avoid Wendy, causing her outstretched hands to brush past his neck as she reached for the child.


    A flicker of amusement crossed his face.


    Wendy quickly withdrew her hands with a deep scowl, reacting as though she had been burned.


    "Don''t get mad, Wendy. Ellie has just fallen asleep. I''m sure she isn''t sleeping soundly yet. If we switch now, she''ll probably wake up again. She had a rough night yesterday, so just let me take her to bed myself."


    Due to Ellie''s condition, shecked a sense of security. She often suffered from nightmares, jolting awake at night, trembling, and unable to fall back asleep.


    Hearing his exnation that their granddaughter hadn''t slept well the previous night, Wendy couldn''t help but feel worried and distressed. Yet, she didn''t fully believe him and turned to look at Gianna instead.


    Gianna immediately nodded in confirmation. "Mom, Ellie might have been spooked by the sound of fireworks the other day. She hasn''t been sleeping well these past few days. Steven wasn''t homest night, so Dad was the one who held her throughout the night to calm her down."


    Hearing that, Wendy finally stepped aside and allowed Adrian to enter the vi with Ellie in his arms. Then, she turned back to Gianna. "What happened to your clothes?"


    Gianna was wearing a white top today, making the coffee stains sshed across her front especially conspicuous.


    After they left the cafe, Adrian asked whether she wanted to head to the upper floors of the shopping mall to buy something to change into.


    But Gianna had refused, saying she didn''t want to keep her mother waiting. She had deliberately not changed her clothes-it was meant for Wendy to see.


    Now that she was asked about it, she simply shook her head morosely. "It''s nothing."


    Though she said nothing, her slightly reddened eyes and the wounded expression on her face clearly suggested she had suffered some sort of grievance.


    Wendy thought it was strange.


    Adrian doted on his daughter quite extensively. What''s more, Gianna had a proud, fiery temper; she was not one to ept mistreatment quietly.


    With Adrian around, who would dare to bully her?


    She pressed again, "What actually happened?"


    Only then did Gianna relent. Linking her arm through Wendy''s, sheined in a petnt tone, "Who else could it have been? It was Anneliese ude. She... Forget it. You''ve always thought she was an angel. It doesn''t matter what I say; you wouldn''t believe me anyway."


    Hearing that Anneliese was involved, Wendy paused. Her curiosity was piqued. "Tell me."


    She recalled Gianna''s previous failure to gain the upper hand against Anneliese, which only deepened her curiosity about what had happened this time.


    "Dad and I took Ellie to buy some desserts for you. These ones, see?" Gianna lifted the exquisite dessert box in her hand before continuing, "I was choosing some pastries for you, and when I turned around, Ellie was gone.


    "I didn''t know he


    how it happened, but


    when I finally found them, Anneliese was hiding Ellie behind her back,


    was so anxious and angry that naturally went over to question her. Then, she sshed coffee albover me."


    As soon as she finished exining, she handed the dessert box to a servant nearby without waiting for Wendy''s reaction.


    "I feel really gross. I''m going upstairs to take a shower."


    She then walked off quickly, as though she had only been casually recounting the incident rather than deliberatelyining.


    Wendy watched Gianna head upstairs for a moment before lowering her gaze and opening WhatsApp on her phone.


    She had previously exchanged contact information with Anneliese.


    Anneliese had even sent her a holiday greeting during the New Year. It hadn''t been a mass-forwarded message. The lines were simple and sincere, filled with genuine blessings and gratitude.


    Wendy had always had a good impression of Anneliese. Just as she was


    considering whether to ask Anneliese about the incident, she heard Adrian calling for her from the stairway.


    "Which room does Ellie sleep in?"


    Quickly putting her phone away, she hurried over to lead the way.


    Adrian carefullyid Ellie on the bed. However, the little girl seemed uneasy after a change of environment and squirmed slightly. Bending down, he immediately knelt by the bedside and gently parted her back to sleep.


    She gradually calmed down after some time.


    Despite rising to his feet again, he did not move. His gaze was fixed intently on her sleeping face.


    It wasn''t until Wendy was tucking the nket around Ellie from the other side of the bed that Adrian suddenly spoke in a low voice. "Our daughter siever even had these chance to see her. Did she look like Elfie?"


    His voice was muted, but talking about something so painful made it sound even


    rougher and rawer.


    Hisplexion grew pale, shadowed by grief.


    Wendy froze. When she raised her head again, her expression was icy. "Don''t you dare mention our daughter. You''re not worthy of it! That''s enough-leave now!" Withdrawing her gaze, she turned around and headed for the door, as though even looking at him for a moment longer would be offensive.


    But just as she reached the doorway, he caught her arm. "Let''s talk, Wendy." "There''s nothing left to talk about with you. Let go!" she snapped, struggling to pull her arm free.


    He didn''t let go. Sighing helplessly, he added, "It''s about Ellie''s condition. I''ve made some discoveries today. As her grandmother, I''m sure you want her to recover as soon as possible, don''t you?"