"Does Brother Austin know?" Hester looked at Leo in surprise, frowning. "So even Brother Austin
knows my identity, but only I don't know?"
Leo, Sheryl and even Brother Austin now knew her identity. How stupid she was!
"Ah! Well, Austin has already known that I treat you differently. He is afraid that I will take you away and
regards me as a thief! I blurted it out because I was too anxious to do anything about it."
Thinking of the scene that he was forced by Austin, Leo felt very aggrieved. He was the elder, and
Austin usually looked gentle. How could he show such a horrible expression?!
But later, he recalled carefully that when Austin went to school, he was well-known for being talented,
smart, good-looking, and most importantly, he was from a good family. He was very welcomed at that
time.
Hester nodded slightly. She couldn't imagine what Brother Austin would look like when he became
ferocious. Even Leo, a playboy, was afraid of him. It was rare to see him like this!
"Okay!"
Hearing that Hester obviously didn't believe him, Leo was instantly enraged. He looked at Hester with
righteous indignation, as if he had been greatly wronged.
His hands danced up and down excitedly, trying to express all the things he had been bullied.
"Hester, you can't be confused by that man's appearance! Austin is a cunning man. Although he looks
cold, he is actually very wild inside!"
"Wild?"
Hester raised her eyebrows and looked back at Leo. She thought this word was more suitable for him!
How could a dignified man like Brother Austin be that kind of person?
"I think this word is more suitable for you!"
Leo's eyes widened as if he had been greatly stimulated. He covered his chest with both hands, as if
he was about to cry. He was very sad.
"Hester, I'm your cousin. How can I hurt you? Let me tell you the truth. Austin is that kind of person.
Don't be fooled by his appearance."
"Then why do you still have such a good relationship with him?" Hester nodded and asked in reply.
"Of course it's because he's a stubborn and righteous man!" Subconsciously, Leo spoke out his true
feelings.
He lowered his head dejectedly, feeling sad. If he remembered correctly, he was trying to figure out
Austin's weakness? But who could tell him why things had deviated so much from his expectations?
Hester raised her eyebrows and felt a little guilty. She patted him on the shoulder and comforted him.
Although she couldn't forgive Brother the bad words about Brother Austin, he was her cousin!
"Cousin, I know everything. Don't worry. I won't let you down."
Leo looked at the ground listlessly, more depressed than before. He felt heartbroken to see his own
cousin cheated by another man like this!
"Hester, take care of yourself. I can only help you here."
Sitting on the balcony and watching the interaction between the two, Edmund smiled slightly. "It seems
that Leo is really good to Hester!"
The old butler stood aside and nodded slightly. "When Miss Rosemary was still alive, she treated Mr.
Leo very well. I think that's the reason why he treated Miss Hester like this!"
There was a touch of contemplation in Edmund's eyes, but he did not have much reaction. He couldn't
feel relieved about his little daughter.
"Children and grandchildren have their own lives to live. I'm old and can't care about them anymore. By
the way, how is the banquet going?"
The old butler nodded slightly and stood aside respectfully. "The banquet is almost ready. Master,
please rest assured!"
Nodding with satisfaction, Edmund looked at Hester and sighed slightly. "It's too late for me to make up
for what I owe Rosemary. But for Hester, I must give her the best thing."
The old butler naturally knew what was on Edmund's mind. He sighed in an almost inaudible way. He
couldn't help but shed tears when he heard about Hester's experience.
Hester frowned and looked at the servants passing by, wondering. Since she moved in, she felt that the
servants were busy.
She was about to ask, but she didn't want to disturb them, so she had to bear it silently.
"Leo, the servants have been busy these two days. Are you preparing something?"
Leo nodded and leaned against the chair lazily. Her grandfather was going to introduce her to others. If
he said it now, would there be no surprise?
"To be exact, it's a surprise for you. You'll know it in two days."
Glancing at the mysterious look on his face, Hester was confused. According to her past experience,
as long as Leo wanted to prepare a surprise, it could only make people feel headache in the end.
She didn't have any hope for a long time. She just hoped that she could live a peaceful life by then!
"What's that look on your face?"
Leo rolled his eyes and felt frustrated. If he had known this earlier, he should have established an
upright image, and now he wouldn't be so miserable.
Hester was his cousin, but she was protecting an outsider. This was unacceptable to him.
"Hester, you are still too young."
After saying that, Leo left with melancholy. He had to think it over. Otherwise, his cousin would really be
taken away!
As time approached, Hester felt apologetic to see the people around her busy. She once wanted to
give them a hand enthusiastically, but she was refused politely. She had to hide in the room alone and
couldn't go out.
Sometimes she would go to her mother's study to stay for a while, read the books she had read, and
occasionally copied her handwriting.
Jessie was in charge of the law office, so she didn't worry about it. Her grandfather was not in good
health, so she couldn't leave now. Her mother was gone. Grandpa must be the one she felt most sorry
for when she was alive!
Therefore, as her mother's daughter, she must be filial for her!
On the other side, the banquet was almost ready. Edmund had personally chosen the style of the
invitation, and all the people invited were important figures in the society.
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