Chapter 548: Existence

"I hope the heat is enough," Gabi uttered while looking at the large beads of sweat on their foreheads.

"Yes, it's enough. Enough." Mary uttered. "Can someone please bring us some hot tea? It's perfect for this weather."

"Ah, Miss Sutton, there is no need for that. Grandmother is fine now."

"Good," Gabi said. "Anyway, I am wondering how you found out that we are relatives? Don't get me wrong, I just thought that I have no relatives left on my paternal side. After all, my father mentioned no one before."

"Ah… this… "Mary handed her an old crumpled photo. "I know it is really sudden. I always knew that your father was my nephew, however, I didn't dare to introduce myself to him. I was a coward back then, and I honestly thought he was better off not know that he had an aunt like me." The woman's hands started shaking. "I came here months ago when I knew that he died, but again, I didn't introduce myself because I thought it was too late."

Gabi nodded. She looked at the photo and spotted her paternal grandfather, whom she never met. Next to her grandfather was a woman that looked like Carisse but shorter. "It is indeed sudden. I didn't expect that I still have some paternal relatives left."

"Yes, I never knew that we were related to the Sutton Family until grandmother told me to accompany her in this place," Carisse added. "Miss Sutton, I know you might be shocked to learn of our existence. But the only reason why we came here is that grandmother is… grandmother is dying."

Gabi widened her eyes. "Dying?"

"Cancer. Our doctor said she had about two to three years to live. So she wanted to spend see you and the other people who didn't know of her existence in the past."

"That is — " Gabi was speechless. Their acting actually looked real. Both women looked sad, angry, and even hopeless. However, this wasn't enough to make her lower her guard. "I could recommend you the best doctor in this country. I am sure that we can still do something about this matter."

"Cough… cough…" Mary held her hand to Gabi. Then she dramatically shook her head. "Miss Gabrielle, I am already seventy- two this year. I have already lived a long life. Since God wanted me to have this… disease then… it means that my time is almost done. There is no changing god's will. Since this is what he wanted, there is no use in avoiding it. All I wanted is to see my family unite and leave this world with a smile on my face."

"I understand your concern. That is only understandable." However, she is still going to ask a professional to check this woman. She was almost a hundred percent sure that Alfons had a fake doctor that would help him examine Mary and gave a fake diagnosis. "However, please tell me the information of your family doctor so I could ask my secretary to cooperate with him. I could get a copy of your x-rays and other documents then give it to an international doctor. It would be good to have a second opinion from someone else."

"Miss Gabrielle, I think you are looking down on our family doctor."

"Eh?"

"I'm sorry to say this. I know this may offend you, but we fully trust our doctor. We don't need a second opinion from another expert."

"Miss Clarisse… why does it sound like you didn't want me to help your grandmother. Did you really want her to die just like that?" Gabi retorted.

"Ah? That's not it. I was just— "

Seeing Carisse flustered, Gabi added. "I am busy. It is already late, and you waited for me for more than an hour, so why not just take some rest instead? Spencer will guide you to our guest house. You can stay there in the meantime. We can have dinner tonight, along with Alfons. He is my cousin."

"A guest house?"Carisse asked. "I thought I misheard you. Do you mean a guest room?"

"No, a guest house. Miss Mary is already old. Walking inside an enormous mansion will not benefit her health. It would be exhausting and dangerous. We have a bungalow reserve for our guests. I am confident that it had all the amenities for older people."

"Amenities?" Even Carisse was confused. What kind of amenities is she talking about?

"It is Elder friendly. My mother wanted it like that. No stairs or furniture could harm the elderly. There are grab bars in the toilet and shower. Everything inside the house ensured the safety of the elderly guest."

Mary and Carisse stared at each other. By now, the two of them already knew that they were not welcome in this place. Despite that, they decided to stay.

"Spencer… please help them."

"Miss Gabrielle… why are you acting like this? We just started talking, and you already asked your servant to get us away from you. Was it because we are not as wealthy as you?"

"Clarisse, what are you saying? Gabrielle… I hope you don't mind my granddaughter's temper. She is still naive. She is someone who always reacts based on her emotions. Clarisse, apologize! Now!"

"But grandmother! We came here and traveled for hours. We even waited in the cold and now you are just letting her kick us to the back of her house? You are her grandmother too! Why is she acting like this?"

"Apologize!" Mary hissed. "You never learned! You are still as childish as ever! Miss Gabrielle, I would like to apologize for her behavior. Please don't mind her. She is still young. Clarisse… apologize! Do you really want me to die from anger?"

"Alright… alright… I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say those things. I am just a little irritated because I expected that you would be happy to see us. I'm just a little disappointed."

"It's fine. You have a point. I am indeed a bit harsh." Gabi said. "However, please don't expect me to treat you as someone special just because of some images. This is the first time that I have heard of your existence. Did you expect me to welcome you with open arms? I don't even know why you came here today. This is just me trying to protect myself. Please excuse me. I will see you later during dinner." Seeing the surprise on their face, Gabi smiled before leaving.