Chapter 313
Mr. Lewis said that while other customers might have to wait for their cars, he’d make sure Anastasia got hers immediately—
So right after Anastasia signed the contract and paid, Elisabeth was driving her new car off the lot.
“I can’t believe I’m riding in a car that Grandma’s driving again,” Anastasia joked.
Elisabeth’s eyes misted over. She took a deep breath, wiped her eyes, and looked straight ahead. “I’m not just going to drive you around. When you have kids someday, I’ll take them on shopping trips too.”
She paused, then added, “You and Cassian better get to work on that.”
Anastasia blushed. “Okay…”
“Where should we go?” Elisabeth asked.
She was enjoying the drive and didn’t want to head home just yet.
“Grandma, there’s somewhere I’d like to visit,” Anastasia said.
“Where?”
After Anastasia gave her the address, they set off.
Along the way, Anastasia bought some fruit and farm–fresh vegetables. When they arrived, Elisabeth parked and asked, “What made you think of coming here?”
This was the Locker family home. Mrs. Locker had been Elisabeth’s hospital roommate when they were both patients.
Mrs. Locker’s family was always busy with work and rarely visited, leaving most things to the hired caregivers.
Perhaps because of this, Mrs. Locker felt her children didn’t value her, so she was often cranky and nitpicky.
Since Anastasia was taking care of Elisabeth anyway, she’d started bringing meals for Mrs. Locker too. Gradually, they all
became close.
Anastasia and Mrs. Locker had developed an unlikely friendship despite their age difference.
When Mrs. Locker was discharged, a whole entourage came to pick her up, including Steven Locker, who was then an
assistant director.
That’s when Anastasia realized why the family hadn’t been visiting–they were all prominent public figures, and frequent hospital visits would have drawn unnecessary attention, so they’d hired professional caregivers instead.
Later, Mrs. Locker had invited Anastasia and Elisabeth out to dinner a few times.
Over time, with fewer opportunities to meet, they’d lost touch for a while.
But Mrs. Locker was down–to–earth, and when she saw Anastasia and Elisabeth arrive, she greeted them warmly.
Anastasia, dear! It’s been so long. I’ve been missing your cooking.” Mrs. Locker said.
Anastasia smiled awkwardly. “Actually… I can’t cook at all. Those meals were made by my best friend.”
At the time, Tamia had been unemployed and staying at Elisabeth’s place while job hunting.
She’d taken over cooking duties, making meals for Anastasia to bring to Elisabeth and Mrs. Locker.
After cooking. Tamia would go job hunting, so she never had time to visit Elisabeth at the hospital.
Mrs. Locker laughed. “Oh, I see! Well, I still have to thank you for bringing me such delicious food. We haven’t gotten together in ages–we should plan something soon.”
Anastasia handed Mrs. Locker the fruit and vegetables she’d brought. “Actually, I came here today because I need a favor.”
“We know each other well enough–no need to be so formal! Just tell me what’s wrong, and if I can help, I will,” Mrs. Locker
said.
Anastasia briefly explained Cassian’s blocked project situation.
“Since it’s about your husband, I’ll arrange a meeting in a few days,” Mrs. Locker said.
“It’s perfect timing–it’s my birthday celebration. Everyone can come and make it festive.”
Given Steven Locker’s current position, many people were eager to curry favor with their family.
Mrs. Locker had thrown a birthday party once before, but it was all people bringing gifts and sucking up to Steven–fake and boring.
Since then, she’d avoided those tedious formal celebrations.
For years, she’d kept her birthdays simple, just family gatherings.
This was the first time in years she’d invited outsiders.
“Thank you so much,” Anastasia said.
“Oh, we’re close enough–no need for formalities.”
Mrs. Locker turned to Elisabeth. “Will you come too, dear?”
Elisabeth shook her head. “At my age, I’d rather not intrude on the festivities.”
Anastasia was going there to ask for help and would bring Cassian–it wouldn’t be appropriate for Elisabeth to tag along.
Mrs. Locker was sharp and immediately understood Elisabeth’s thinking
She didn’t insist, because she honestly didn’t enjoy formal celebrations anyway–all that polite small talk was uncomfortable.
She much preferred this kind of casual meal and honest conversation with Elisabeth.
Elisabeth felt the same way.
Chapter 313
Mrs. Locker had her staff prepare dinner using the farm vegetables Anastasia had brought, making a simple home–style meal.
Mrs. Locker enjoyed it immensely, constantly praising how fresh and delicious the vegetables were,
After dinner, they chatted for a while before Anastasia and Elisabeth said their goodbyes and headed home.
“Grandma. I’m sorry for dragging you into this today.” Anastasia said.
While driving, Elisabeth replied, “Silly girl, don’t say such things to Grandma. If I didn’t help you two, how would I have this wonderful life now?”
“Besides, Mrs, Locker isn’t the type to hold grudges,” Elisabeth added.
Anastasia nodded.
Then she remembered something and said to Elisabeth, “Grandma, please don’t mention this to Cassian yet. I’m worried about his pride–he might not take it well.”
“I understand. This is between you and your husband–you handle it as you see fit,” Elisabeth said.
“Okay, got it.”
When they got home, Cassian was already there, dressed in casual clothes and taking a phone call in the living room.
Seeing them return, he immediately hung up.
“You’re back?”
Anastasia playfully ran over to Cassian and draped herself across his lap. “Yep! We visited one of Grandma’s old friends today, had dinner, and chatted for a while. Grandma drove the whole time–smooth as silk.”
Cassian tensed up for a moment, then carefully stroked Anastasia’s hair. “You should take Grandma out more often when you have time.”
Anastasia smiled. “I don’t need to take her anywhere now–she has her own car and can drive herself wherever she wants.”
“Didn’t I give you my card this morning? Why didn’t you use it?” Cassian asked.
Anastasia’s eyes flickered. “Oh, I forgot.”
“From now on, when I give you money, you have to use it, okay? I earn money for you to spend. If you don’t spend it. I lose all motivation to work,” Cassian said.
“Okay, okay, I’ll try harder to give you more motivation in the future,” Anastasia replied.
Cassian thought of something and his eyes lit up.
He leaned close to her ear and whispered, “There are other ways to spend money too.”
“What ways?” Anastasia looked at him curiously.
