?<strong>Chapter 705:</strong>


    While Victoria and Pearce were animatedly discussing Elyse, Felicia found herself unable to focus on their conversation. Her thoughts were in disarray. She wasn’t sure if the shock had overwhelmed her or if her advancing age was slowing her down.


    Eventually, she came to understand that she had been misled by Thea and had wronged her own granddaughter.


    Felicia was so upset that she nearly tumbled from her chair.


    Forrest noticed Felicia’s distress and considerately suggested, “Mrs. Benson, you seem unwell. Would you like to go home and rest?”


    Turning to see Felicia’s pale face, Pearce asked, “Grandma, are you all right? Should I take you to the hospital?”


    Regaining some rity, Felicia clutched Pearce’s hand and urgently asked, “Where’s Elyse? I need to see her. I have something important to tell her.”


    Pearce responded with a hint of resignation, “As I mentioned before, Elyse is overseaspeting. She left yesterday.”


    “When is sheing back?” Felicia asked, reluctant to ept the situation.


    “Well…” Pearce hesitated, reluctant to admit that Elyse had no immediate ns to return to Cambape. She might travel elsewhere after thepetition.


    Elyse had said she didn’t have a home, so she was free to go anywhere.


    Pearce stammered, “Maybe she’lle back after thepetition.”


    Felicia sensed Pearce’s hesitation and questioned him, “Are you keeping something from me?”


    With a bitter smile, Pearce admitted, “Grandma, Elyse never really felt at home here. It’s hard to say when she’ll visit again.”


    Felicia tensed up. Her hand loosened as she whispered, “You’re right. She never saw the Bensons as her home. That was my fault.”


    Witnessing Felicia’s sudden sadness, Pearce was unsure how to console her. He reassured her, “Don’t be so hard on yourself. Elyse has a big heart. She’lle back to visit us eventually.”


    Victoria, realizing the mood had shifted, rose and said, “Mr. Benson, I’ll have my team follow up on our agreementter. I look forward to a fruitful coboration.”


    Pearce nodded and escorted Victoria and Forrest to the elevator. He then returned to find Felicia looking deste. “Grandma, let’s not linger on this. Let’s get you home.”


    Felicia remained silent for a long moment before nodding. She picked up her cane and slowly made her way out of the reception area. Pearce trailed behind, noticing how Felicia’s stooped posture seemed to age her further.


    After dropping Felicia off at her home, Pearce quickly drove back to his office.


    Once home, Felicia instructed her maid, “Please fetch Thea for me.”


    The maid acknowledged and left to find Thea.


    Thea, unaware of what had happened, thought Felicia missed her. As she approached Felicia, Thea greeted her with a cheerful smile and teased, “Grandma, did you miss me? Because I sure missed you.”


    Felicia looked at the granddaughter she had adored for over two decades, struck by a sudden realization that she might not know Thea as well as she thought.


    Felicia remained silent, lost in thought. Thea, feeling the tension, straightened up and asked cautiously, “Grandma, why are you so quiet?”


    Felicia shifted her gaze away from Thea and instructed the maid nearby, “Bring the ferule.”


    The maid briefly hesitated but soon brought the ferule as instructed.


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