CHAPTER 538: CHAPTER 538: A PRIVATE CHAT

The little girl looked about seven or eight years old, holding a stick to write and draw on the ground, appearing very serene.

Isabella Garrison noticed Evelyn Clayton’s gaze and hurriedly approached with a smile: "That child is called Crystal, just turned seven, very obedient and well-behaved."

Evelyn Clayton nodded, not saying much, and went straight towards Crystal.

Isabella Garrison wanted to follow Evelyn Clayton over but was stopped by the leisurely glance from James Grant.

"Let my wife go and interact with the child on her own, Director Garrison. I happen to want to ask you some things." James Grant’s smile was faint.

Facing James Grant, Isabella Garrison always felt inexplicably fearful and nervous.

She swallowed her saliva, her smile somewhat forced, "Please ask, please ask."

"How many years has Ardendale Welfare Home been here now?" James Grant chatted casually, his gaze lingering on Evelyn Clayton’s back as she conversed with the little girl Crystal.

His thoughts seemed a bit wandering.

If, in the future, he married Evelyn Clayton and had children, perhaps she would interact with the child like she does now?

As James Grant thought, his gaze softened somewhat.

Isabella Garrison couldn’t quite grasp this VIP’s mood at the moment, so she could only respond cautiously: "It’s been more than twenty years now."

"Indeed, that seems about right." James Grant mused, "My grandfather had visited here before and also did charity work with you."

"Really?" Isabella Garrison showed some surprise on her face, "May I know your grandfather’s surname?"

James Grant smiled, "That’s not important. Grandfather did good deeds without leaving his name. Influenced by him, I got to know a girl adopted from your place."

Isabella Garrison gradually let down her guard, thinking James Grant was just making small talk, so she smiled and said: "That really is fate. May I know who you’re referring to?"

"If I mentioned the name, Director Garrison, you probably wouldn’t remember." James Grant glanced sideways at Isabella Garrison.

"How could I!" Isabella Garrison showed a proud expression, "I remember the names of all the children adopted from here!"

James Grant chuckled: "Is that so?"

Isabella Garrison smiled: "Naturally!"

"Then I wonder if the director still remembers—" James Grant paused, then slowly said, "Julia Lawrence?"

The moment this name came out, Isabella Garrison’s smile slightly stiffened.

On the other side, Evelyn Clayton came beside the little girl Crystal, crouching down for a direct view.

Crystal lifted her head, her large eyes blinking, blankly looking at Evelyn Clayton.

"Hello." Evelyn Clayton smiled with her eyes, "Your name is Crystal, right?"

Hesitant, Crystal nodded, a weak, clear sweet voice sounding with timidity: "Are you here to adopt kids?"

Upon hearing this, Evelyn Clayton thought for a moment and smiled: "You could say that. Do you often see people like me come to adopt kids?"

Crystal’s expression didn’t show much reaction, she withdrew her gaze and continued focusing on the stick in her hand, "Not often, it’s been a long time since anyone came. Without anyone coming, Director Mom won’t give us any meat to eat."

After speaking, Crystal continued to write and draw on the ground. Evelyn Clayton glanced at it; she was writing her name and drawing diamond-shaped jewels.

Thinking about what the little girl had just said, Evelyn Clayton’s smile in her eyes slightly stiffened.

No one comes to adopt, so Isabella doesn’t even ensure the children’s basic welfare; they don’t even get to eat meat.

Yet she herself drinks tea worth tens of thousands from Sovereign Peak.

Truly laughable.

Evelyn Clayton pressed her lips together, gently stroked Crystal’s head.

"Crystal, would you like to chat with me alone?"