Chapter 226
Charlene gripped Helena’s arm tightly.
Helena calmly patted the back of her hand and said, “It’s okay.”
If they could guess she would come, how could she not guess they would be here too?
Stewart suggested, “Helena, I’m going inside to find Campbell. Why don’t you and Charlene come with me?”
He was offering to introduce her to Campbell, giving her a chance to chat with her idol.
Helena shook her head and waved off the idea, saying, “Just being able to see all these paintings at once is a treat. I don’t want to trouble him.”
With Helena’s decision made, Stewart had to let it go. Still, with the Hawkins and Spencer families present, he felt a bit uneasy leaving them. Charlene reassured him, “Go ahead. Don’t worry about us.”
The Hawkins and Spencer families were proud folks, and in such a setting, they wouldn’t dare cause trouble.
So Stewart left.
Charlene asked, “Grandma, which painting would you like to see first?”
Helena smiled, “Let’s start with the closest one.”
“Alright,” Charlene agreed.
Right as Charlene was getting ready to lead Helena away, Dalton and Kelvin showed up. They spotted Charlene right away.
Kelvin, with an unyielding interest in Charlene, considered approaching her for a chat. But Dalton furrowed his brows instinctively.
Charlene ignored them and turned to walk away.
Helena asked, “Do you know those two young men?”
“Just some business acquaintances,” Charlene replied, not offering more detail.
At that moment, Henley and Maureen Spencer arrived. Seeing Dalton, they were about to greet him when Dalton spoke first, “Mr. Hawkins, Mrs. Hawkins, you’re here too?” “Yes,” Henley replied.
As Henley was about to say more, Katie and Georgina approached them. “Henley, Maureen, do you know these young gentlemen?”
They had noticed a familiarity between Charlene and Dalton.
Henley chuckled, “This is Mr. Ramirez, a friend of Vesta and Thorne.”
“Ah, I see.”
After exchanging greetings with the Hawkins and Spencer families, Dalton and Kelvin headed inside to present their gifts.
Upon entering, they noticed Stewart and weren’t surprised. “Mr. Ferguson, you’re here too?”
They had come under their elders’ instructions, hence the formal address.
Stewart smirked, “Yeah.”
Then York appeared, handing a cup of coffee to Stewart, and glanced at Dalton. “You guys made it?”
“Yeah,” Dalton replied. “Where’s your grandpa?”
“He’s inside chatting with others. It’ll be a while before he’s done. Want to have a seat?”
Dalton took a seat. “Sure.”
But Stewart was anxious about Charlene and Helena, frequently checking the time.
York noticed and asked, “Mr. Ferguson, are you in a hurry?”
Stewart hesitated, “Not really, just have something on my mind.”
It seemed impolite to leave without seeing Campbell first. Yet, his concern got the better of him. “Sorry, Mr. Watson, I need to step out for a bit.” York nodded, “No problem.”
Stewart promptly left.
Watching him go, Dalton quickly guessed he was probably off to find Charlene.
York suggested, “My grandpa will take some time with his conversation. Why don’t you both get some fresh air outside?”