CHAPTER 812: CHAPTER 504: I HOPE YOU MAKE THINGS CLEAR WITH HER

She carried the rice to the kitchen door, grinning. "Hey, Uncle, I have something to tell you."

"Mm," Henry Sullivan turned to look at her. "What is it?"

"James Yinley is coming over in a while."

Henry, who had just lowered his head, turned back. "Did he call?"

"Yeah, he said he found Isla Linton."

Henry turned off the faucet and walked over to her. "Did they meet? Is everything resolved?"

"No, he said to prevent Isla from running away again, he didn’t rashly seek her out.

He called to say he wants to meet you and talk.

I invited him over to our house anyway; after all, he’s already investigated the two of us, knows where we live."

Henry said nothing, merely turned the water back on to wash the dishes.

Ivy stood pouting at the door, sulkily speaking after watching him finish everything. "Are you angry?"

"No, I’m just thinking about what he might say to me."

"You men are such strange creatures. He just asked me what you might discuss.

Isn’t it boring for you all to guess things you don’t know before even meeting?

Once you see each other, you’ll know."

"Aren’t you afraid we might come to blows?"

Ivy shook her head. "I’m not sure about him, but you’re a soldier who disciplines himself strictly; you wouldn’t act rashly."

Henry laughed, ruffled her hair, and walked out.

Ivy shrank back. "Hey Uncle, you’re annoying! Your hands are dirty."

"How so? They’re clean. I’m going to change clothes."

"Alright, dress smartly. Let him see that I, Ivy Miller, have excellent taste."

Henry chuckled but didn’t reply. After changing into different clothes, he sat in the living room, waiting for over an hour without any guest arriving.

Little Ivy was cranky with sleep and wouldn’t stop crying, so Ivy had to take her inside to nurse her to sleep.

Just as the child was about to be put down, the doorbell rang outside.

Henry got up to open the door to find James Yinley, formally dressed in a suit, standing outside.

Though it wasn’t their first meeting, the two men still felt awkward.

"Please come in," Henry took the lead in inviting him inside.

James sat down, and Henry asked, "Something to drink?"

"Didn’t Miss Miller say she invited me for tea? I thought your home might have something special, hence my admiration led me here."

"Tea? Wait a moment," he turned into the kitchen and shortly returned with two cups of tea.

Each held a cup as James surveyed the surroundings. "I never expected Captain Sullivan to live in such a modest house.

You indeed lack the arrogance and air of nobility found in well-bred young masters."

"Pride, certainly, but I am a soldier who reserves it for the battlefield alone.

The size of the house doesn’t determine the joy of life.

Living here with Ivy feels comfortable enough for us."

James nodded. "That’s quite true. Few gentlemen of status live as casually as you.

And Miss Miller, wasn’t she at home earlier, or did she leave to avoid me?"

"Ivy is inside, trying to put our daughter to sleep."

"I see," he took a sip of tea. "I found Isla."

After a few pleasantries, he cut to the chase without much small talk.

"How did you find her?"

"Did Miss Miller not tell you?"

"She knows?" Henry glanced inside, realizing she’d been keeping secrets from him.

"If she didn’t say, it’s not my place to explain. In short, it was through a lucky coincidence that I found Isla’s whereabouts.

I think if I approach her now, she might agree to return with me outwardly, but her heart would remain unwilling."

Henry studied James’s expression, aware he had more to imply.

"So you came to me today, intending to say what?"

Henry leaned back, crossing his legs as he looked at him.

James didn’t beat around the bush. "Are you considering leaving Miss Miller to reconcile with Isla?"

Henry frowned. "What do you mean by that?"

"If you are, then there’s no need for our conversation to continue.

But if you’re not, I hope you’ll go talk to Isla."

"Me? What should I say to her?"

"I hope you’ll tell her you won’t reconcile.

Let her give up on that hope completely.

Only then can I slowly have another chance with her."

Henry tilted his head with a smile, "You’ve got it all figured out, huh? I make Isla hate me, so you get to play the good guy?"