Chapter 63: Old Debts

“Mr. Jackson,” Linda’s reminder snapped everyone to attention as Jackson finally stepped out. “Grandpa…” Paul was just about to approach him, but to his surprise, Jackson walked right past and headed straight for Yunice.

Yunice had long since finished feeding the fish. She leaned on the railing, staring blankly at the lake. A few koi fish clustered near her, their round mouths pecking gently at the surface. Jackson’s sudden attention pulled Yunice out of her daze. She turned to face him and stood properly. Even if she couldn’t stand him deep down, appearances still had to be kept up. Owen’s worried gaze flicked between Jackson and Yunice; he feared Jackson might hold a grudge and jeopardize Elsie’s marriage. Just as he was about to say something to smooth things over—

Jackson raised a hand, signaling him to stop. His eyes landed on the scarf around Yunice’s neck. Embroidered at the end was a koi fish; he hadn’t seen wrong—this was the same scarf from his memories. Looking up, Jackson’s face softened into a kind smile as he focused on Yunice’s face, speaking warmly. “What happened to your face?”

Yunice replied, “Just bumped into something.”

Behind him, Paul turned his head awkwardly, clearly uneasy. Jackson nodded. “You’re young, and in good shape; this kind of injury’s nothing.” Then he added, “About your engagement to Paul… I’ve always felt I owe you. That’s a debt I need to repay.”

Yunice’s expression was blank, but her stomach knotted up. What is this old man playing at now?

But as soon as Owen heard the word “repay,” his face lit up with joy. It looked like Jackson had more of a conscience than Jensen—finally, he was thinking about compensating the Saunders family. If Yunice would speak up for Elsie, then arranging the marriage between her and Paul would be even easier.

After exchanging a few vague pleasantries with Yunice, Jackson suddenly acted tired and asked Linda to see the guests out.

Once Owen and Yunice had left, Paul blocked Jackson’s way, blurting out, “Grandpa, what did you mean by repaying a debt? You’re not thinking of making me and Yunice—”

Jackson cut him off before he could finish. “You’ll find out in a few days.”

If he didn’t want to say, one was getting it out of him. Something else came to mind; Jackson paused mid-step and warned, “You better rein it in. Stay away from that mad dog.”

One of these days, I’m going to break Byatt’s other leg; let’s see how he keeps yapping after that.

In the car, Owen seemed in high spirits—probably because of Jackson’s promise to repay the debt. Yunice patted herself down and suddenly said, “Owen, I think you grabbed the wrong phone.”

“Did—?” Owen reached into his pocket and, sure enough, pulled out Elsie’s old phone—the very one Yunice had been using. “How’d your phone end up with me?” Owen handed it back.

Yunice took it. “I left it on the center console; you must’ve grabbed it by habit.” Owen remembered that he did have a habit of grabbing things for Elsie without thinking, so he didn’t question it. Feeling victorious, he sped up on the way back to the Saunders mansion.

As soon as his car pulled in, Lily and Elsie rushed out to greet him, both anxious to hear what kind of outcome Owen had brought back from the Powell family. Faced with their anxious faces, Owen looked like a triumphant general, nodding at both of them. Knowing the marriage was all but secured, Elsie felt a wave of relief wash over her. Lily clasped her hands together and thanked Buddha for the blessing.

That’s when Elsie noticed Yunice trailing behind them. Her pink scarf looked… unusual. She frowned slightly. “Yunice, your scarf is really pretty; I don’t remember you wearing it when you left.”

Owen chuckled. “Probably from Mr. Jackson. He’s still looking out for her.” With that, he took his seat and poured himself a cup of tea.

Elsie’s eyes stayed locked on Yunice’s scarf, filled with jealousy. Mr. Jackson gave her that? Does that mean he hasn’t completely written her off?

Owen sipped his tea and set down the cup; after a moment’s thought, he turned to Yunice and said bluntly, “Yunice, back at Maplecrest Manor, Paul begged me—be insisted on marrying Elsie. I could tell he’s really over you. Whatever messy history you two had three years ago, he’s not taking responsibility anymore.”

At that, both Elsie and Lily looked at Yunice with a mix of pity and unease. Three years ago… back then, word had spread that Paul and Yunice had gone too far. But since they were engaged, no one made a public fuss about it.