Silly Bride novel (Winnie and Xavier)

However, nobody answered her calls. She couldn't find Jacinta anywhere, even after scouring the study and the bathroom.

Has Granny left? But how is that possible?

Winnie's room door had been left wide open while she was conversing with Josiah, and she had been alert to any movements outside the whole time.

She would have known if Jacinta had gone out or switched rooms through the sound of opening and closing doors.

Since there were no sounds, Granny must still be in the house somewhere.

Winnie gave it some thought before she strode back toward Jacinta's room.

She shut the door and found Jacinta behind it.

Jacinta had always brought her to hide behind a door whenever there was danger back when she was young.

Back then, the village wasn't a safe place to be as robberies frequently occurred, especially during winter.

Jacinta would carry a pole in one hand, shield Winnie behind her with the other, and hide behind a door whenever she thought a robbery was going to occur.

Indeed, her grandmother was hiding behind the door, just like she used to.

Her gaze was empty as she stood plastered against the wall. She didn't give a response even after Winnie found her there.

Winnie's heart ached for her as she grabbed the latter's hand in an attempt to lead her out from behind the door.

However, Jacinta didn't budge an inch.

"Granny, come on out so you can sleep. We're safe here. Why are you hiding behind the door? Why didn't you answer me when I called for you just now?" asked Winnie. Nevertheless, Jacinta kept silent.

Winnie tried everything she could to get Jacinta to talk in the next hour, but Jacinta refused. It was as if Jacinta had turned into a puppet as she stared listlessly into space. Winnie kept her company the entire time as pin-drop silence ensued in the room.

It wasn't until Winnie received a message from Josiah that the soft vibration of receiving a notification broke the silence.

Winnie immediately pulled her phone out to check.

The results of the substance identification test for the two soil samples were out.

The soil composition, pH value and microorganisms found in the two soils were the same.

Winnie clenched her fist tight and closed her eyes as sorrow filled her heart after reading the report.

After a long while, she crouched down in front of Jacinta.

"Granny, I need to ask you something. A few days ago, a flowerpot nearly hit Xavier on the head while he was heading out. Was it you who pushed the pot down? Did you do it intentionally, or was it an accident? Who put you up to this if it was intentional?" She looked up at Jacinta and implored.

Still, Jacinta remained silent, her gaze distant and empty.

Her response filled Winnie's heart with sorrow and disappointment. "Granny, are you trying to cover up for someone with your silence? I beg you to say something, please!"

Winnie stared at Jacinta for a long while as Jacinta kept silent.

It wasn't until tears welled up in her eyes that she stood up from her crouched position.

"Okay, Granny. Get some rest if you don't want to talk. I'll hold on to your phone in the meantime."

Jacinta didn't even glance in her direction when Winnie took her phone away.

Winnie didn't say anything anymore as she helped Jacinta to lie down.

Worried about Jacinta's health, she then lay herself down on a reclining chair to keep an eye out for her grandmother.

After going through Jacinta's phone and coming up with nothing, she messaged Xavier to inform him of her findings that night.

She received a reply from Xavier not long after: I've told your brother about it. He understands our current predicament, and he'll be able to handle things alone, so I'll return once I wrap up the things I have on hand. You can stay by Granny's side for the time being. Things can wait till I get back.

Winnie frowned and gave Jacinta a look after reading Xavier's text message.

She replied: I won't be waiting for you. You can go at your own pace. Granny's not feeling well right now and hasn't spoken a word to me since. I don't know what she's thinking or if she's just ignoring me. I have a feeling she's trying to cover for Stuart and might even take the blame for him. She loves her kids too much, just like she used to love me. Stuart is a b*stard. If he really cared for Granny and thought of her as his mother, he wouldn't have put her up to this. Granny must realize her mistakes. I can't let Stuart use her like this.

Xavier: Okay. Consult Josiah if you need advice. I'll wrap things up as soon as possible.

Winnie received another message from Josiah the moment she finished reading Xavier's text message.

Josiah texted: Still no response from your grandmother? I've sent my people over to keep an eye on Stuart. He still hasn't done anything suspicious at the moment, so it looks like he still has no idea about our progress.

Winnie: Yes. Granny won't talk or even look me in the eye.

Josiah: What happened? Did you confront her about the flowerpot incident? Is she mad at you?

Winnie: Maybe. I don't know what she's thinking, but I'm most worried about her taking the blame for Stuart. She might not have contacted Stuart until now for fear that I might get the dirt on him. Josiah gave it some thought before he replied: If that's the case, it would be hard for us to convict Stuart of his crimes. There's nothing much we can do if Mdm. Sumner insists that it was an accident, even if we knew she was the culprit. She would be charged with civil liability at most since no one was hurt in the process. The only incident we can use to establish a case is the big fire at the Fairchild residence. But all the evidence was destroyed in the fire long ago. Winnie, I don't think Stuart will stop until Xavier is dead. Try to talk your way through to Mdm. Sumner again when her mood improves. Ask her about Stuart's next move so we can plan ours. Or else Stuart might get away with this scot-free.

Winnie: I don't want Stuart to get away with this as well. I'll try my best with Granny, but no promises. I have Granny's phone with me right now, so I'll be the first to know when Stuart contacts her.

Josiah: Okay. Get someone else to look after Mdm. Sumner tomorrow. I need to meet up with you to discuss something important. There's something else going on.

Winnie: What is it? Tell me.

That same night, Winnie called Mary over from Lagune Mansion.

Jacinta and Mary had gotten to know each other since Winnie had brought Jacinta to stay over at Lagune Mansion for a brief while back when she was still playing dumb. Hence, Winnie left Jacinta in Mary's care while she went to meet up with Josiah.

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