Silence Walks Beside Us by Eli Dane Cade 184

Chapter 184 

Chapter 184 

Ash was not threatening Dexter. 

Dexter had always been trying to threaten her, and he could always find a way. 

If Dexter had not mentioned Sofia today, she would have been kept in the dark. 

55 vouchers 

The Moreno family had not raised her. Sofia had been the source of all her warm memories during her years with the Moreno family. 

Not long after Ash arrived at the company, she received a message from Dexter with an address. She never thought it would be in Riverstone. 

“We need to meet later to discuss the revenue from the previous mini–game. It will take about twenty minutes. Are you free?” Vanessa asked as she knocked on the door and walked in. 

Ash was still staring at the address when she heard that. “Not right now,” she replied, “You can handle it. I have to go out later.” 

“How about we discuss it when you get back?” Vanessa had worked late again last night, and since mentioning Emma that day, she had not been sleeping well. 

Whenever she closed her eyes, all she could see was Emma. 

Ash shook her head. “Just arrange for someone to take care of this. Also, what’s with the dark circles under your eyes? If someone else saw them, they’d think I was working you to the bone.” 

“The previous proposal was leaked, and some details still need to be improved. Plus, the previous proposal also involved some follow–up work, so the workload is heavy for the time being. But overall, it’s fine. I’ll take some rest at the end of this week, otherwise, I really won’t be able to take it.” 

Vanessa couldn’t hold on any longer under such high–intensity work. She admitted defeat. 

Ash seldom saw her like this and chuckled. “I didn’t expect you to have a day like this, too. It’s okay. Wait until I’m done with my work, and I’ll join you. 

“Also, I’ve looked at what Finn sent me last night, and I don’t think the characters‘ personalities are distinctive enough Human nature is always two–sided. I think some of the characters are portrayed too positively.” 

Vanessa agreed with Ash’s analysis, which was also her point of contention with Finn. “He said that life is hard enough, and players wouldn’t like it if the characters weren’t perfect. 

“But I think like you do. If a character wants to leave a deep impression and become well–rounded, they need to h complete personality. It’s very difficult for me to communicate with him about this.” Vanessa threw up her hands. 

a 

The reason why the two of them had always worked well together is largely because they were both willing to compromise. When the other party had a point they were particularly insistent on, they would choose to give in. 

Ash narrowed her eyes and was silent for a moment. “I understand. I’ll talk to him again when I get back this afternoon. You can handle things here. I won’t be checking my phone much when I go out later.” 

At a retirement home on the outskirts of Riverstone. 

“Hello, this is it.” The nursing home staff led Ash to Sofia’s ward. Looking at the dilapidated door and the old room, Ash was overcome with emotion. 

Pushing the door open, she saw Sofia with her white hair and frail figure. Tears streamed down Ash’s face, her throat choked 

10:30 Sat, Feb 21 0. 

Chapter 184 

with emotion, unable to utter a word. 

55 vouchers 

“Jewel? Is that Jewel?” Sofia’s eyesight seemed to be failing her. Hearing the sound, she struggled to make out who it was, her voice trembling slightly. 

Ash wiped away her tears and tried to calm her voice. “It’s me, Sofia…” 

Sofia reached out her trembling hand, waving it as she remembered. “My Jewel has grown up. You’ve really grown up.” 

Ash’s eyes welled up with tears. Hearing this, she smiled. “Sofia, you always say that every time we meet. Am I going to turn into a giant? 

“All these years… how could you bear not to contact me even once?” Ash’s eyes flickered with tears, her heart aching with grievance. Every step towards Sofia felt incredibly difficult and long. 

Sofia was about to speak when she couldn’t help but cough, her coughs growing more intense each time. Ash hurriedly stepped forward, patting her back gently to soothe her. 

Sofia chuckled softly. “You haven’t changed a bit, Jewel. You’re still the crybaby you were in front of me.” 

“Grandma… You, you’ve hidden it from me so well. Why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t you say anything?” Ash arrived in front of her, looking at the person who was nothing but skin and bones, tears streaming down her face. 

Sofia used to be plump. Ash wondered what kind of inhumane treatment Sofia had suffered all these years to become so thin. 

Sofia was still cheerful, but it was not difficult to see the tears flickering in her eyes. “Jewel, you always complained about me needing to lose weight. How am I doing now? Have I met the standard?” 

“I told you to lose weight, not to become this thin! Sofia, you didn’t listen to me at all. That’s not what I meant. You misunderstood everything. How did Dexter treat you? Why did you hide it from me?” 

If someone who knew Ash was standing by her side at this moment, they would never believe that Ash still had such a side. Ash had always been calm and indifferent. 

But now, she was as sad and aggrieved as if her beloved toy had been snatched away. 

“Jewel, I know that you care about me, and I know how you feel about me. I am already old, but you are in your prime. You should not waste your energy and thoughts on me. Am I not well now?” 

Ash held Sofia’s calloused and bony hand, her eyes red–rimmed, her voice choked with sobs, “Well? Do you think you are well in this situation? 

“You are so thin now, on the one hand because of stomach cancer, and on the other hand because Dexter doesn’t care about you at all! He hardly ever came to see you, did he? Otherwise, how dare the people in the nursing home mistreat you? 

Sofia sighed softly, her hand covering the back of her hand, “How come you are always at odds with your father? You two just love to quarrel. 

“Dexter has been busy with work and family all these years. I don’t need him to visit me. His visits can’t change anything about my current situation. I have food and shelter here, which is enough. I am content. 

“Jewel, don’t blame your father. I was the one who asked him to keep it a secret back then. I didn’t want you to have too many obstacles in your life.” Sofia still defended Dexter, even though he was an animal.