After chatting for a few more minutes, the two of them returned to the corridor and walked towards Doctor Robert's office. However, before they reached the office, the door opened.
Scarlett was slightly stunned when she saw a familiar woman stepping out of Grandpa Robert's office, who appeared shocked upon seeing Francis.
'Geez! What timing!' Scarlett secretly took a deep breath as she recognized Maggie Gilwynn, her half-sister.
"Hello Francis..." Maggie greeted Francis with her alluring smile. However, when she noticed Scarlett standing behind Francis, her smile suddenly disappeared, replaced by irritation as if she had met her mortal enemy.
"Hello, Maggie," Francis greeted her casually.
Maggie returned her gaze to Francis, attempting to ignore Scarlett. She casually placed her hand on Francis' arm as she spoke to him with her alluring voice, "I came to visit Uncle Robert and was pleasantly surprised to see you here as well, Francis." A radiant happiness shone in her eyes as she looked at him with a blink. She could feel how warm her cheeks were now because she could meet him in this place.
Francis was taken aback by her intimate gesture. He quickly removed her hand, fearing Scarlett might misunderstand if she saw it.
"I happened to come here to meet her..." Francis said, glancing at Scarlett. However, he was taken aback to find Scarlett engrossed in checking her phone, seemingly uninterested in his interaction with another woman. "Scarlett..." He called her gently.
When their eyes finally met, he smiled at her before introducing her to Maggie. But before Scarlett could say anything, Maggie chimed in.
"Hello, Scarlett..." Maggie's voice sounded composed, but Scarlett detected a hint of annoyance in her gaze.
"Oh, you two already know each other?" Francis said in surprise. First, he's looking at Maggie and then turning to Scarlett.
Maggie smiled warmly at Francis. "Yes, she came to my brother's party," she replied, her smile still adorning her face. Yet, Francis had already turned to look at Scarlett.
"You attended Simon's birthday?" He frowned. "Why didn't you tell me?" He asked, sounding disappointed.
Scarlett was utterly speechless. How could she tell him they had barely talked in recent years!?
"Brother, to be honest with you... I didn't even receive an invitation to that party. Someone forced me to come," she faintly smiled, remembering that foolish Theodor.
"Huh? Someone? My father?" Francis assumed only his father could compel her to attend the king's birthday party. "Haha, it must be him. Because I couldn't make it that day, he must have found someone else to accompany him."
Maggie, who had been ignored by Francis and Scarlett, gritted her teeth in silence before chiming in, "Francis, Scarlett came with Theodor." She said while casting a half smile at Scarlett.
Francis frowned upon hearing Maggie's words. However, he didn't bother to look at her. His gaze was still on Scarlett. "Scarlett, you also know Theodor Parker?"
Scarlett, "..."
She feels exceptionally awkward in this situation. She was aware of her dear stepsister Maggie's feelings for Francis and could clearly sense Maggie's anger and jealousy.
'Gosh! Why do I have to witness this?' Scarlett felt as though she had stumbled into an unfortunate situation. She didn't want to be involved in this mess.
"Brother Francis, you should talk to this beautiful lady..." Scarlett grinned, ignoring Francis's disapproving stare. "I'll go inside to see Grandpa..." She smiled faintly at Maggie and entered Grandpa Robert's office room without waiting for Francis to respond.
....
Scarlett felt relieved after closing the door behind her. When she met Grandpa Robert's gaze while he was seated behind his desk, she smiled warmly as she entered his spacious and comfortable office.
"Grandpa Robert... Sorry to bother you. Well... you don't have to mind me. You can continue with your work. I'll just wait for you here," she said, pointing to the sofa near her and immediately walking there and sitting.
Robert frowned and observed Scarlett, who appeared unusual and acting a little awkward. He immediately stood up from his chair and joined her in the seating area.
"What's wrong, my dear!? Why do you look like you've just seen a ghost?" Robert asked as he sat in front of Scarlett. "Are you alright? Did something happen to Carter?" He asked worriedly, waiting for her response.
"Grandpa, don't worry... Carter's fine," Scarlett smiled when she saw him relieved. However, a few moments later, Robert's face slowly turned dark as he remembered something.
"Scarlett, did you meet Maggie Gilwynn?" he asked, concerned that Scarlett's mood had changed due to her encounter with her stepsister.
"Yes, I met her," Scarlett replied faintly. "Grandpa, it seems she still doesn't know about me."
"Yes, I think so."
"I hope you didn't say anything to her about me. Let Roland—" Scarlett's voice caught, still struggling to address the man as her father.
Robert could only smile at Scarlett, who looked burdened by her family situation. "Don't worry, Scarlett... I will also keep my mouth sealed. No one will know anything about your relationship with him, not even my wife and children."
"Thank you, Grandpa—" Scarlett's voice trailed off when a voice echoed from the door.
"Father, what secret are you hiding from me?" Francis' voice came from the door, making Robert and Scarlett jump in surprise as he entered and joined them.
"Can't you knock on the door before entering someone else's office?" Roland didn't answer his question; instead, he scolded his youngest son.
Scarlett was speechless, watching the father and son clash with each other. She could only suppress her laughter, momentarily forgetting the vital fact that Francis might overhear their earlier conversation.
"Don't try to change the subject, Dad. I'm not a child..." Francis said, narrowing his eyes at his father.
Robert let out a faint sigh before gazing at Scarlett as if seeking her opinion. However, he was surprised to see her ignoring them.
'Would she agree if I told Francis?' Robert wondered. For a few seconds, he pondered before finally responding to Francis, "This is a secret between the patient and the doctor. I can't tell you anything!"
"I heard everything, Dad..." Francis shook his head, but his eyes widened seconds later. "NO WAY, DAD!! Don't tell me Scarlett is my half-sister. That's why you hid this from my mother and your children?"
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