CHAPTER 763: CHAPTER 763: IT’S ALL OVER NOW

Butler Thorne cautiously asked, "Sir, should we return to the old mansion?"

Jude Crawford pressed his thin lips, "How about the old lady, is she still staying at the temple?"

"Sir, as far as I know, after Miss Serena and Mrs. Yara arrived in the City of Aethelgard, they immediately brought the old lady from the temple; she should be at the Crawford family’s old mansion now."

The old lady still doesn’t know about Iris Crawford’s incident, now Serena Sterling directly took her away, it’s obvious she doesn’t plan to hide Iris Crawford’s matter from the old lady.

The old lady is elderly and can’t handle such shocks, but Serena Sterling’s bold actions, gathering all the members of the Crawford family in a swift manner, clearly indicate a big drama is about to unfold.

"Sir, the old lady has always cherished Miss Serena, and Miss Serena is skilled in medicine, so I don’t think we need to worry about the old lady being too shocked. On the contrary, Miss Serena calling us back to the Crawford family’s old mansion must have a purpose. Miss Serena is wise and insightful; there’s no dilemma she can’t solve in this world. Sir, perhaps we should go back to the Crawford family’s old mansion?" Butler Thorne advised.

Jude Crawford showed no emotional fluctuations; indeed, the old lady favored Serena Sterling, even Butler Thorne, who had served him for so many years, was now so convinced by Serena Sterling. It seems whatever Serena says carries more weight than anything else; everyone would listen.

Of course, Jude Crawford was also curious, "Then let’s return to the Crawford family’s old mansion, I want to see exactly what kind of trick Serena Sterling is pulling this time."

"Yes, sir."

...

The luxury business car parked on the lawn of the Crawford family’s old mansion, Butler Thorne respectfully opened the back door, "Sir, we’re here."

Jude Crawford got out of the car.

He stood tall and firm by the car, raising his eyes to look at the old Crawford mansion ahead. In the blink of an eye, so many years had passed, and his thoughts became a bit hazy because many years ago, it was probably just such a night, Iris’ birthday, when he brought Isabelle Willow back home.

Jude Crawford strode his long legs, stepping steadily to the front door of the old mansion villa, then reached out and pushed the door open with a "boom."

Inside the villa, it was brightly lit.

Jude Crawford was stunned; they hadn’t returned to the Crawford family’s old mansion for a long time. In his imagination, it should have become desolate and abandoned, but it hadn’t. Everything was as it was in memory, the coffee table spotless, the lighting bright and warm.

Soon, a burst of laughter reached his ears, a laughter so familiar, yet so distant.

Jude Crawford walked in, standing in the living room, he turned his head towards the dining room, and quickly his pupils shrank suddenly.

For there were many people in the dining room, the old Crawford lady, Isabelle Willow, Iris Crawford, Dylan Gardner, they were all there.

The old Crawford lady picked up a wine glass, looking lovingly at Iris Crawford, "Iris, happy birthday, you’ve grown another year older."

Iris Crawford sweetly smiled, "Thank you, mommy~"

Jude Crawford stood watching, his sharp eyes quickly spotting Iris Crawford’s protruding belly, looking almost nine months along.

Time reversed, everything returned to thirty years ago.

The same night, the same scene, it was Iris’s birthday, everyone was there, except him.

Jingle~

Suddenly, a bell sound interrupted, this bell sound was particularly pleasant, as if carrying a bewitching power.

At the dining table, Isabelle Willow quickly frowned, showing signs of discomfort.

Jingle~

The bell sound rang again, the scene shifted, Isabelle Willow and Dylan Gardner stood together, conversing about something unknown.

Seeing this, Jude Crawford’s large hands hanging by his side quickly clenched into fists. He wanted to walk over, but it was as if his feet weighed a thousand pounds, and he couldn’t move.

Isabelle Willow turned, walked upstairs; Jude Crawford saw her face, Isabelle Willow’s face was deathly pale, her eyes hollow, her steps mechanical as if being controlled.

Jingle~

The bell jangled again, accompanied by a sharp scream!

Jude Crawford looked up, only to see Iris Crawford, her nine-month-pregnant belly, wandering out of the room in a daze, heading towards the staircase.

That staircase was where many years ago Iris tumbled down, and where the child was lost.

After so many years, experiencing this scene again, Jude Crawford’s eyes were bloodshot, veins bulging on his forehead; he shouted out, "Iris, it’s dangerous there!"

Jude Crawford wanted to rush forward to stop it all.

But suddenly a small hand reached over and tugged on his sleeve.

Jude Crawford stopped, turned his head, and Serena Sterling’s delicate, beautiful face came into his view.

Serena Sterling had appeared.

Today, Serena Sterling wore a dress, standing gracefully; her bright, clear eyes fell on Jude Crawford’s face. She raised her small hand, in which she held a small, bright-red bell.

It turned out the bell sound he had heard since he entered was coming from it.

Jude Crawford parted his lips, intending to speak, but Serena Sterling suddenly smiled gently, and with a flick of her hand, the bell rang again soothingly.

"No!"

Jude Crawford looked up to see that Iris Crawford on the stairs had already stepped into the void and tumbled directly down.

Blood.

The glaring blood quickly spread from Iris Crawford’s skirt.

Jude Crawford breathed heavily, almost splitting with rage, and painfully moved towards the blood-drenched Iris Crawford.

He squatted, reaching out, wanting to caress Iris Crawford, but he touched nothing; Iris Crawford disappeared right there, everything vanished.

It was all just an illusion technique.

Jude Crawford’s hand stayed frozen in midair, just then Serena Sterling walked over, her skirt gracefully trailing over the carpet. The little red bell was clasped in her hand, as she spoke in a clear, soft voice, "Uncle Jude, it’s all over."

Jude Crawford stood up, seeing the old Crawford lady and Isabelle Willow walking out, Dylan Gardner also came, pushing forward an unconscious Iris Crawford, everyone from back then was present.

Jude Crawford’s deep eyes fell on the red bell in Serena Sterling’s hand, "What is this?"

"This is the Red Enchanted Bell of the Merfolk Clan. Once rung, it can control people’s hearts. During Aunt Iris’s birthday banquet back then, Aunt Yara, Uncle Gardner, and Aunt Iris were all controlled by the bell’s sound. That night, sorrow turned into a torrent, enveloping the Crawford family in gloom for years; this saga of love and hate spanned thirty years, burying so many youthful times, none were spared." Serena Sterling spoke softly.

Now that the truth is revealed, everything began and ends with the enchanted bell.

The old Crawford lady’s eyes were already red as she took hold of Serena Sterling’s small hand, "Serena, what grudge and resentment lay between our Crawford family and the Merfolk Clan that they would have laid their plans so early, thirty years ago?"