Chapter 494 - CHANGE OF PLANS: PART I

Elizabeth didn't need to turn around to see whom the voice came from. She was worried as she slowly turned around to face the person. Whilst she was doing so, she thought hard about what excuse she should make. 

"Granddad." 

Who would have thought that the old man is wide awake. Since he did not go to them for breakfast, she thought he would be staying late in bed.

"Darling, where are you heading to so early in the morning?" He curiously asked as if he does not know a thing. The old man may not be as talented as his granddaughter when it comes to acting innocent, but he too can play dumb.

"I was…" Elizabeth was having a hard time making up an excuse for she didn't get a minute to think when the old man spoke again. 

"Darling, why don't you go for a walk with me. You'll be leaving again later and I don't know when I'll get to see you…" 

"Ah, sure…" Elizabeth responded right away without even hesitating despite she really wanted to go and get the information about the major families. 

Elder Lord Knightley was pleased by his achievement. He was able to by himself some time and prevent the girl from being too curious about the major families. He just needed to find a way later to persuade the old man to not give the information to the girl. 

Whilst they were out for their walk, the old man continued to talk to the girl and ask different topics about what she'd done back in the east. 

"I played around with my brother's son, he is very active now." 

"Hmm, it seems you had a great time there." 

"I did, and to think I would have almost missed out…"

Elder Lord Knightley interrupted the girl as he held onto both her hands as he faced her with a serious yet pitiful look on his face. "Darling, I know you went through so many terrible things, but I hope you can learn to let go and move on from it. I rather see you talking about this than continuing living your life in the past.. Please, darling, let go of the past." 

"Grandad, I understand, don't worry… I promise you all, I'll move forward and enjoy the rest of my life with you all." 

"Hmm, I'm glad to hear that. Why don't we go back now and get ready. You still need to pack your things." 

"Alright," 

Elizabeth returned to her room and didn't bother heading to the library. She decided to let it be for now seeing how worried her grandfather is for her. 

'He must have noticed.' she thought whilst she was picking out her clothes to bring. 

The girl sighs desperately as she felt horrible for deceiving her family. 

Knock Knock

"Come in."

"Young Miss, do you need any help?" Sam came in with a tray of snacks and tea for the girl. As she placed it down on the table, she went and check on the girl. 

"Sam, could you arrange the clothes I've prepared on the bed?" 

"I shall." 

Elizabeth was left all alone in her walked-in closet as she rummaged through her clothes. She also needed to prepare some jewellery to match her clothes. Whilst she was scanning around for the perfect jewelry to match with all her attire since she couldn't be bothered to bring more than one. She suddenly recalled something which brought a tear on her eyes. 

When Sam came back to check on the girl, she was blown away to see the tear rolling down the girl's face. She hurriedly went to her side to ask, "My word, what happened?" 

"Oh, Sam, I'm sorry…" Elizabeth responded.

"What are you sorry for? Dear me, what happened?"

Elizabeth wiped away the tears in her face as she responded. "I remember some good memories which I fear would soon be just a memory." 

"What do you mean?" Sam was confused and unsure what the girl was talking about. 

"I wish to bring happiness to my family in which I must forget those happy memories I have in the past as well." 

Sam sighs as she wrapped the girl in her arms and said, "Who said that? Why must you let go of your own happiness for others. Never in a million years have your parents or grandparents mentioned that you need to sacrifice your own happiness for theirs."

"But…"

"Did they say such words?"

Now that she thinks about it, her family never has said such words. All they ask is for her to let go of the past and move forwards. They never said, she needs to give up her own happiness. 

"Still, my past is my happiness…"

"Yes, our past does hold a great key to our happiness. We should be grateful of the memories we created in the past, may it be good or bad. For, it will be the key to our future happiness. Let me tell you this, you hold the key to your own happiness. You have always held it…"

That right, because she wants to pursue her own happiness she left her family. Deceived her family and yet she said such words. 

"I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about that, and pull yourself together. What if your mother hears all of this." 

"I know, thanks." 

What both of them didn't know was the fact Lady Zhao heard all what they've talked about. She arrived early from her appointment to help the girl pack up. But, little did she know she'll be discovering something which she shouldn't have. 

Lady Zhao signs guilty for being a cause of her daughter's unhappiness. As she quite left the room and walked back to her room. She grabbed her phone and made a call. 

"Lady Zhao, is something wrong?" A woman's voice answered her call.

"Cancel everything, go and find the person she is looking for."

"Are you sure?" The person's tone sounded shocked and surprised with the woman's sudden decision. 

"Yes, but you must be as discreet about it. You know Rob is on the search for him as well."

"That won't be a problem, as long as I find my friend I'll be able to find the person she's with." 

"Are you really sure?"

"I'm not sure if I'll be able to find the guy before Lord Knightley does. But, if I can find my friend, it won't be hard to find out whom she was with." 

"Then, I leave everything to you." 

Lady Zhao ended the call with a heavy burden on her shoulders. She is now deceiving her own husband in order to help her daughter. Despite knowing the consequence, she had no choice. Her daughter does not have a lot of time left and she is sure her husband will push through with all his plans for her daughter. Even if she does not agree with them, she has no choice. For, it's something even she cannot argue about. 

"I guess this will be our last year with her then…" Lady Zhao bitterly said as she bit her lips to stop the tears from falling. To think she'll be saying goodbye to her daughter again when she just got her back.