They went back to the residence of the Hopkins family.
Christina felt mixed feelings when she walked through the gate of the Main Residence.She'd lived here
for a year but she'd been in a different state of mind.
At that time, she'd been hellbent on leaving this place after giving birth as if it was a job that she
couldn't wait to quit.
Being brought home by Patrick now, she really felt she belonged to this family and got nervous as if
she were a newlywed.
"What are you thinking?"
Patrick's velvet voice sounded when he noticed her frown.
"Nothing,"
Christina answered unnaturally as the driver opened the door for her and she got out.
"Welcome back, Young Master Hopkins, Junior Mrs.Hopkins."
Nanny Faang, the housekeeper, walked to them and took over the gift bags in their hands with a
beaming face.
"How is Mrs.Dickens? How was your trip?"
She'd been worried that Patrick would have a hard time in the Dickens family.
Seeing them come back so soon was a great relief to her.
Christina looked around and asked, "Are the butler and grandpa not back yet?"
They'd come back the other day and Senior Mr.Hopkins had happened to go to visit a friend.He
should've come back after so many days.
Nanny Faang smiled a little awkwardly.
"Senior Mr.Hopkins called last night and asked about you.He'll be back in a few days."
Christina thought it weird but actually felt more comfortable without Senior Mr.Hopkins at home.She
pointed at a tea box and said, "This is some tea for grandpa.I hope he likes it..."
"He'll definitely like it,"
Nanny Faang blurted out excitedly.
"I hope so" Christina said without much emotion in her voice.
Christina was the type that could fake easy familiarity.
"You two go to the Eastern Garden to have a rest first.I'll go get the dinner prepared."
Nanny Faang was elevated.
She rushed into the Main Residence with the gift bags in her hands and grabbed her phone to make a
call as if she was ina hurry to make a report to someone.
Seeing Christina's thoughtful expression, Patrick said, "Grandpa thinks you may feel this place more
comfortable without him"
He actually thought the old man had left because he wasn't ready to face Christina.Christina was
perplexed.
"Why?"
"He did something wrong and feels contrite."
Patrick's voice was flat as he sold his grandpa down the river without hesitation.
Before Christina replied, he held her hand and walked towards the Eastern Garden.
Being half dragged, Christina didn't protest but her mind was racing.
They hadn't had a pleasant time the last time she'd met Senior Mr.Hopkins.
Technically, she'd been kicked out of the house of the Hopkins family.
"Are you angry?"
Unsettled by her obedience, Patrick spun his head and cast his deep eyes over her face.
"What?"
She looked up at him in a daze.
Patrick was amused by the silly look on her face and smiled.
"What's on your mind?"
"Don't look at me like that" Christina flushed.
She paused and added awkwardly, "Tell grandpa I'm not angry with him: She didn't have the nerve to
do that.
Patrick looked at her intently.
He knew she wasn't angry with his grandpa.
She was always so soft-hearted, thanks to which he could still be with her after all the harm he'd
brought her.
Patrick felt very touched and suddenly threw his arm around her shoulders to bring her closer.
Christina was startled by the sudden intimacy.
Unlike Charles and others toffs, Patrick was aloof to everyone.
He was a block of ice and never flirted with women.
Christina thought holding hands was all she could expect from him, Christina suddenly came to a
realization.
Patrick had barely dated any woman so he was quite reticent about his feelings.
She would never ask him directly for fear that she might arouse him right on the spot.
After returning to their room, Christina made a call to tell her family she'd arrived safe and sound.
"I have reached the residence of the Dickens family-" She called her aunt.
"Grandpa is not at home...The boys? Patrick asked me to go to the babies’ room after I take a bath.He
said the boys need to sleep enough or they'll cry..."
Betty huffed a laugh.
"I didn't know you were so amenable in front of your husband."
Christina blushed and retorted in a low voice, "I'm not."
Betty was reassured and said earnestly, "I'm glad that you get along well with Patrick.
Keep in mind that respect and inclusion make a lasting marriage."
Donald's anxious voice instantly rang out.
"Save that respect and inclusion bullshit.Ask her to be fussy!"
"Come on, Donald, both of us wish them to have a happy life..."
The man's voice rose sharply over the line.
"She's your niece.You know her can't do that good wife thing.She's a blockhead."
Pardon? Did her father just call her a blockhead?
"She's a foolish girl.Patrick will get tired of her sooner or later.Don't tell me you believe he'll love her
forever"
"Not all big families are sophisticated.Patrick doesn't look like an unfaithful man.He's quite good to
Christina."
Christina listened to the squabble on the phone with an expressionless face.
She turned her head and saw Patrick tugging at his tie in the cloakroom.
The man happened to look her way and asked with his eyes what was going on.
Christina didn't tend to tell him that her father still had an issue with him and mouthed, "Call grandpa
and ask him to come back"
Patrick raised his eyebrows and pulled off his tie, picking his phone up cooperatively.
"We just came back after visiting the Dickens family"
He rarely called his grandpa and sounded like he was having a business meeting.
The old man seemed to be in a good mood.
Nanny Faang had informed him of their return.
He cleared his throat and managed a serious voice, "I heard Christina brought me tea?"
"Betty forced her to bring it back to you," Patrick said frankly.
Senior Mr.Hopkins's wrinkled face darkened.So Christina didn't care about him at all.
It was all in his head.
Patrick continued, "You chased her out of Hopkins family and she's still angry with you for that."
He paused and added solemnly, "Stay outside for a few days, grandpa.Come back after she's not
angry"
Beep.
He hung up the phone.
Senior Mr.Hopkins clutched the phone with a frigid face.
"Sir, shall we rush back for dinner?"
The butler had been staying in a resort with Senior Mr.Hopkins recently and was euphoric to receive
the call from Nanny Faang, thinking that they could finally go back.
Senior Mr.Hopkins sat on an antique chair made of Phoebe Zhennan and slapped his phone on the
table.
"We'll stay here for another few days," he thundered.
The old butler looked confused.
"Nanny Fanng said Junior Mrs.Hopkins brought you some good tea.I think that means she’s not angry
anymore..."
He'd spent a year with Christina and knew that she was a willful girl but would not hold a grudge.
Senior Mr.Hopkins demanded, "Maybe I should spend the rest of my life here.Children don't want you
anymore after they grow up.I can’t believe I was refused to go back to my own home-"
The old butler soothed, "Don't you think Christina's disposition resembles that of Old Madam Hopkins?
You shouldn't take seriously what she said in a fit of pique.You know her bark is worse than her bite"
"I'm not talking about Christina;' Senior Mr.Hopkins said through gritted teeth, "I'll rough that punk up
after I go back."
The old butler was relieved.It turned out that the old man was angry with Patrick.
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