Proof. I need something that can’t be refuted.
But how can I fight a government document without making noise?
She was walking down the sidewalk, staring blankly at the pavement when suddenly a black luxury car stopped beside her.
Savannah immediately took a step back in fear. But when the rear window rolled down, her fear turned into confusion.
"Miss Quinn," the driver said politely. "Madame Eleanor requests your presence for afternoon tea. Please, get in."
"Madame Eleanor? Now?"
"Yes."
Does she already know about the forged documents?
Savannah hesitated for a second before getting inside the car. Instead of taking her to the Locke estate, the driver took her to a secluded, high end traditional tea house on the outskirts of the city.
He led her through a bamboo garden to a private tatami room at the back.
Madame Eleanor was sitting at a low wooden table. Her cane was resting beside her as she poured steaming green tea from a cast iron pot.
"Sit, Savannah," Eleanor said warmly, gesturing towards the cushion opposite her.
Savannah sat down and held the teacup Eleanor had pushed towards her.
"Grandma Locke... thank you for the invitation, but I don’t..."
"You look as if the weight of the world is on your shoulders," Eleanor cut her off, looking at Savannah’s pale face. "And I imagine you have every reason to be stressed. Victor has been very busy lately, hasn’t he?"
Savannah’s breath caught in her throat. She stared at her in shock.
"You know?"
Eleanor smiled.
"I may be old but not foolish. Victor thinks I’m a weak old woman who only cares about roses and knitting. But I know everything that happens in my family."
Before Savannah could answer, Eleanor pulled out an old envelope from her bag. The paper was yellow and worn out.
"After Rosalind saved my husband, they wrote to each other a few times before she passed away. She was a private woman, but she once wrote to him about her family."
Eleanor slid the envelope towards her. Savannah put her teacup down and opened the envelope with trembling hands.
The handwriting on the letter was elegant and familiar. It was her grandmother’s.
"My health is deteriorating but what keeps me alive is my granddaughter Savannah. She came into our lives on a rainy day in March and filled our lives with endless joy. I had Master Lin carve a piece of jade from the Willowmere garden for her. I pray that this pendant protects Savannah when I no longer can."
Savannah covered her mouth as she sobbed. Then she traced her grandmother’s signature at the bottom of the letter. It was dated and signed. And it explicitly named Savannah as her granddaughter. It even mentioned her birth month.
"Victor can forge government records," Eleanor said softly. "But he cannot forge the truth. This letter has been locked inside my husband’s safe for decades. But it’s time I make it public now."
Savannah looked at her with tear filled eyes.
"Why are you helping me?"
Eleanor smiled and gently held Savannah’s trembling hand holding the letter.
"Ansel is a brilliant businessman, but he is a fool when it comes to matters of the heart," Eleanor smiled mischievously. "He thinks he is fighting this war alone. He doesn’t know that I’ve already chosen you."
"I don’t know how to thank you."
Eleanor smiled and took a sip of her tea.
"You can thank me by letting me handle Victor," Eleanor said and put the envelope back in her bag. "I will read this letter myself at the banquet and announce your engagement to Ansel in front of everyone."
Savannah finally sighed in relief.
"Thank you so much. It really means a lot!"
"But... I want something in return," Eleanor said.
"Anything," Savannah answered instantly.
"My grandson is a little difficult. He is cynical, and expects the worst from everyone because that’s what life has taught him. Don’t hurt him. Promise me you won’t hurt my grandson ever."
Savannah swallowed. She thought about the contract they had signed a few days ago. She remembered the coldness in Ansel’s eyes whenever he looked at her. It wasn’t a marriage but a business deal built on mutual survival.
But when Savannah looked into Eleanor’s hopeful eyes, she couldn’t bring herself to tell her the truth.
"I promise," Savannah said.
Even though she wasn’t sure she could keep it.
By the time Savannah left the tea house, it was already evening. The anxiety she had been feeling since meeting Ansel finally faded. She had the proof.
While driving back in Eleanor’s car, her stomach growled. She was hungry. A small cup of tea and a few snacks weren’t enough to fill her stomach.
"Could you drop me off at the café near the plaza? I’m hungry." she told the driver.
"Of course, Miss Quinn.
Half an hour later, Savannah sat in the cafe eating her favourite pasta. After paying the bill, she walked towards the restroom.
She had just turned into a quiet corridor when suddenly someone grabbed her arm. Savannah gasped as she stumbled backward and hit her back on the wall.
It was Ansel. He looked furious.
"What were you doing with my grandmother?"
"How did you know I was here? Savannah asked, instead of answering.
"I check on my grandmother every day. Imagine my surprise when I learned she left the estate to have tea with you."
"Let go of me, Ansel."
Ansel released her arm, but didn’t step back.
"Is this your new strategy? You couldn’t find the proof so you’re now trying to manipulate my grandmother?"
"I didn’t ask her for anything! She was the one who invited me!" Savannah replied angrily.
"Stay away from my grandmother, Savannah. If I find out you’ve upset her, or tried to manipulate her, the contract is dead."
He gave her one final cold look before walking away:
"Jerk," Savannah muttered, rubbing her arm.
She was washing her face in the restroom when her phone flooded with message notifications.
Mia had sent her a link with a string of angry emojis.
Savannah opened the link. It opened to the digital cover of Lumière, the city’s most prestigious fashion magazine.
On the cover was Celeste, dressed in an ivory gown from the bridal boutique. She looked stunning.
LOCKE’S CHOSEN BRIDE: The Lucky Star Saving a Legacy.
Savannah scrolled down and read the article. It described Celeste as a kind and selfless woman who was destined to bring even more luck to the Locke family.
Savannah rolled her eyes and closed the link. Mia had sent her another message. It was a screenshot of Sienna’s social media post. Sienna had shared the cover on her account with caption:
Finally, some real class entering the family. Can’t wait for the banquet??
#FutureMrsLocke.
Savannah scoffed and put her phone back into her bag.
Enjoy the spotlight while it lasts, Celeste. It won’t last forever.
Savannah pushed the glass doors of the cafe and stepped out onto the sidewalk. She had raised her hand to call a taxi when suddenly a drop of water fell on her cheek.
She looked up at the sky. Dark clouds had covered the sky. Within a few seconds, it began to pour.
BOOM!
The sound of her car flipping over the guardrail echoed in her mind. The smell of blood filled her senses. Her chest tightened painfully, and her knees buckled.
She stumbled forward and grabbed the nearest lamppost. She looked terrified.
Across the street, Ansel’s car stopper at a red light. He happened to look through the window and saw Savannah.
He had watched her come out of the cafe looking normal but the moment the rain began her whole demeanour changed. She was panicking.
Ansel’s brow furrowed.
"Sir?" Leo said as the light turned green. "Office or estate?"
Ansel didn’t answer. His eyes were on Savannah, standing in the rain gripping the lamppost.
"Pull over to the curb."
"Sir?"
"Just pull over, Leo," Ansel said again. "Wait until she gets into a taxi."
Leo looked surprised but did as he was told. After a few minutes, a taxi arrived and Savannah raised her hand to stop it. She got inside and left. Ansel’s eyes followed the red tail lights of the taxi until they disappeared into the rain. Only then did he finally look away.