Chapter 615

Immediately after their plane landed at Brown City's airport, a car Alexander had arranged awaited them. The couple proceeded directly to the Lodge family residence. Lily, having slept on the plane, remained lost in thought, gazing out the car window.

Alexander took a phone call en route, his expression darkening afterward. Lily, sitting beside him, noticed. "Is it something to do with the Lodge family?" she asked, knowing his investigative nature. "Besides Justin, there's another person..."

Lily looked at him expectantly.

"Henry Lodge."

The name sparked dormant memories. It had been years since Lily had heard it. Henry, her and Justin's uncle, the youngest Lodge son. Wilfred, his father, had favored him, but something had transpired—something Lily, then a child, didn't fully comprehend. She had no idea where he'd gone. His name became forbidden; no one spoke of him. Only Alexander's mention revived the forgotten past.

"Uncle Henry? He's back?" she murmured, frowning.

"Yes," Alexander confirmed. "But his return isn't good news."

"Grandpa has passed away. He should be back," Lily said softly, considering. Despite the past, Wilfred was Henry's father; a son should return to mourn.

"If it's simply a funeral, there's no cause for alarm, but..." Alexander gazed intently at his wife. "If returning to the Lodge family meant confronting difficult issues, would you still go back?"

"Even if the sky is falling," she declared firmly.

Alexander, though anticipating her response, asked nonetheless. He would face whatever came with her. He smiled faintly, then began to explain what he'd learned, preparing her for the truth.

"Remain calm, no matter what I say."

Justin's warning against returning had already instilled apprehension in Lily. She sensed a connection to this issue, a personal involvement. While unsure of the Lodge family's turmoil, she suspected it stemmed from her; otherwise, Justin wouldn't have cautioned her. She merely nodded at Alexander's reassurance. "Please continue."

"The Lodge family doesn't believe your grandfather's death was from illness. They suspect poisoning," Alexander stated carefully, the reality far grimmer than he let on.

Lily's eyes widened in shock. Despite her mental preparation, the revelation stunned her.

"Do they think I poisoned Grandpa?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.