Chapter 162: Chapter 162

"Miss Thornton, something’s wrong, the little miss is missing."

Anna Thornton had just picked up the phone when she heard Granny Chandler’s anxious voice.

"Pop is missing? When did this happen?"

"Just after breakfast this morning. I saw the little miss was sleepy, so I took her back to her room to sleep. I thought she was asleep the whole time, but when I went to check after eleven, she was nowhere to be found. Only her favorite toys were scattered around, and I counted a few were missing."

"So you’re saying she ran away from home?"

Pop still couldn’t write, so deliberately scattering the toys was probably a way to send a message to tell her mommy that she had run away herself.

"Alright, Granny Chandler, I know. I’ll come back after I finish up here."

Coming back only after finishing up?

Isn’t Miss Thornton known for doting on her little sister?

Granny Chandler somehow felt that this time she wasn’t in a hurry at all?

But the little miss is only three years old, and losing such a young child under Granny Chandler’s watch—if anything happened, she couldn’t bear the responsibility.

So after Anna Thornton hung up, Granny Chandler immediately called President Sterling.

Conrad Sterling picked up the call while at the Ford Family’s.

He was having a meal with Marilyn Ford’s parents.

Since they decided to get engaged, Dad Ford and Mom Ford had many things to say.

Especially Marilyn’s mother, Amelia Grant, who was quite direct. She looked at Conrad Sterling several times during the meal, and finally couldn’t hold back.

"Conrad, since you and Marilyn are getting engaged, there are things that must be clarified before the engagement. I heard from Marilyn that you already have a daughter?"

Marilyn tried to stop her from asking this question, but Amelia Grant said, "Marilyn, you and Conrad are about to become husband and wife. There shouldn’t be any secrets between a couple. If not clarified now, will the illegitimate daughter cause trouble after marriage? Moreover, the woman who gave birth to the illegitimate daughter is no easy person to deal with!"

Amelia Grant was considering her daughter and wanted Conrad Sterling to give an explanation today.

She’s someone who speaks her mind, quite different from her husband who keeps things to himself. ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ N0v3l.Fiɾe.net

However, her husband also had doubts but found it inconvenient to speak directly.

Marilyn couldn’t ask, so her mother had to play the bad guy.

"Conrad, even though Marilyn told me about your illegitimate daughter, she also explained it to us. That was something from four years ago, and men, you know, have their youthful follies and indiscretions. Moreover, you only recently got approached to acknowledge her as your daughter, and I see you were set up by that woman. Our Ford Family has been established in Aethelgard for decades. I’ve seen more tricks on bridges than you young people have roads. That woman’s definitely after your wealth, and if she can use unscrupulous means for money once, she’ll do it countless times."

"To prevent Marilyn from having trouble after marrying you, my suggestion is to send that illegitimate daughter away as soon as possible. Whether it’s by using money or some other means, just ensure this messy affair is dealt with before marriage. Especially don’t give the illegitimate daughter any chance to come back and covet your family assets later."

She also clarified, "Of course, we’re not after your assets. Our Ford Family isn’t lacking in money. I’m just worried for my daughter. Marilyn is a public figure now, and if bad rumors spread after marriage, how would we save face? She’s so young and marrying you at the peak of her fame. It’s your responsibility not to let her suffer!"

Amelia Grant finished her speech, and Harold Ford, who had been silent at the table, finally interrupted her, "Alright, say no more."

Marilyn Ford also spoke up timely, "Mom, I trust Conrad will handle things appropriately."

In fact, the three of them were of one mind, playing good cop and bad cop, waiting for Conrad Sterling to give an explanation.

At that moment, Conrad Sterling’s phone inconveniently rang.

He glanced at the caller ID, which was from Granny Chandler at home.

Granny Chandler generally wouldn’t bother him about household matters unless something big happened.

So Conrad Sterling immediately put down his chopsticks, "Excuse me, I need to take this call!"

Amelia Grant was dissatisfied with not getting an answer from him.

But Conrad Sterling didn’t care about her expression and got up to take the call.

"Is there something wrong at home?" Conrad asked Granny Chandler directly.

Upon hearing her answer, his face turned worse, "You said Pop is missing?"

"Got it, I’ll be back right away."

Amelia Grant was about to have a word with him when he returned to the table, only to hear, "I have something to deal with, I need to leave first."

"What’s with this attitude?"

Amelia Grant called out to him as he turned to leave, but he didn’t pause.

This left Harold Ford feeling embarrassed too.

Originally, there was a gathering planned with some Ford Family relatives this afternoon to introduce Conrad Sterling properly.

Of course, it was also to let those relatives meet Sheldon, the Ford Family’s excellent future son-in-law.

But with his abrupt departure, wasn’t he disrespecting them?

"Marilyn, what’s up with Conrad’s sudden rush?" Amelia Grant asked her daughter.

Conrad Sterling had left in a hurry without explaining anything to Marilyn Ford.

However, sitting next to him, Marilyn saw the call was from Sterling Residence.

She guessed it was either Anna Thornton or something related to Anna Thornton’s daughter.

"Dad, Mom, I think I’ll go see if Conrad needs help with anything, so I won’t be eating."

When Conrad Sterling rushed back to Sterling Residence, Anna Thornton hadn’t arrived yet.

On the way back, he had checked the surveillance at Sterling Residence and indeed saw the image of Pop sneaking out of the room alone.

However, several cameras at Sterling Residence happened to be out of order recently, so Pop took a path without surveillance.

Thus, after leaving the building, Conrad couldn’t see which direction she headed.

Marilyn Ford followed him to Sterling Residence. Hearing that Anna Thornton’s daughter was missing, Marilyn felt awkward and unfit to comment.

"Where is Anna Thornton?" Conrad asked Granny Chandler.

"Um... I’ve already called Miss Thornton, and she said she’d be back as soon as possible."

"Did she drive a turtle back instead of my car I lent her? So slow!"

Just as Conrad finished speaking, Anna Thornton, who supposedly rode a turtle, finally arrived home.

When Anna Thornton arrived, she intended to look for Granny Chandler but was surprised to see Conrad Sterling and Marilyn Ford there.

"President Sterling, you’re home early today? Here with Miss Ford to give me the engagement party invitations?"

Conrad Sterling glanced at her, face darkening, "At a time , you’re in the mood for jokes?"