"Nice to meet you, Madam Lilian." At the sight of Madam Lilian, Trevor, Hansen, and Jenna greeted her.
Trevor was extremely flattered that Madam Lilian had dropped by to see Vivian.
"Hello, all of you." Madam Lilian walked down steadily with Quina's support. With a mild smile, she greeted them and raised her head to glance around. With a sigh, she lamented, "A walk down memory lane. This feels so familiar."
As soon as Madam Lilian said this, not only Hansen and Jenna felt strange, even Trevor felt a little odd. Trevor was the eldest son of the family, yet he didn't know that Madam Lilian had once visited Richards Manor. Maybe he had really seen Madam Lilian when he was at a tender age. Nonetheless, too many people had shown up at Richards Manor. How could he remember them all? What was more, he had been sent abroad by Old Master Richards when he was very young.
"Madam, thank you very much for coming to visit my old mother. This way, please." On Trevor's face, a devout and enthusiastic smile was carved. He politely made a gesture to Madam Lilian.
"Okay." Madam Lilian nodded and walked forward with Quina's help. Trevor led the way, and Jenna followed closely behind.
The group traded words as they walked.
Madam Lilian observed every blade of grass and tree in the Ink Garden. With a solemn expression, she asked, "Mr. Richards, how's Old Madam's condition now? Is there any need to send her overseas for treatment?"
Hearing this, Trevor answered powerlessly.
"Madam, my mother is already over 90 years old, and she is in poor health. The medicines she uses are also the finest medicines imported. Alas, at this age, it is likely useless to send her abroad. Besides, the old lady is not willing to go out for treatment, even at the local hospitals."
When Madam Lilian heard this, she sighed slightly.
As they talked, they entered Vivian's bedroom.
At this time, the Ink Garden was quiet. Hansen and Jenna had already screened out all unrelated people. Only Meroy was guarding Vivian's bedroom.
Madam Lilian walked into Vivian's bedroom with a solemn expression. She looked up and saw that Vivian was lying on a bed. She looked so frail that she was only skin and bones. Vivian's body was covered with an air- conditioning quilt, and her head of silver hair was neatly combed behind her. Her eyes were closed, and her hands rested in front of her chest. Her expression was serene. If not for the sound of her faint breathing, one would mistake that life had departed her body.
"Mom, Mom." Trevor brought Madam Lilian closer, bent down, and whispered in her ear.
Vivian's hearing ability had long since declined. After Trevor had called out to her for a long time, she finally heard him and opened her eyes with great effort.
"Old Madam." Madam Lilian took a step forward, held her hand, and called out to her in a cordial manner.
Vivian's hand was like a withered tree, etched with wrinkles, and it felt a little shaky when they held hands. The past was pushed to the forefront of her mind, and sadness was shown on her face.
Vivian, who had once been wise and capable, had already reached the end of her life. This was the law of life. No one could escape from it.
"Grandmother, Madam Lilian has come to see you." Jenna also bent down and notified her loudly.
Vivian's face stiffened, and her eyes glazed over. After a long time, she rolled her eyes absentmindedly, yet she did not recognize Madam Lilian. "Old Madam, I've been late. I should've come earlier." Madam Lilian's heart ached when she saw this. She wiped away her tears and choked with sobs.
She held Vivian's hand tightly and drew her head before her eyes. Then, she whispered in her ear, "Old Madam, do you still remember me? I'm Lilian."
Vivian stared at her motionlessly. After a long time, her eyes gleamed, as if she had recognized her. The muscles on her face twitched as if she was very excited.
"Grandmother, Madam Lilian has come to visit you. Do you know her?" Seeing that Vivian's gaze seemed to reveal some reaction, Jenna felt a sense of joy in her heart as she hurriedly called out in her ear.
After a while, Vivian asked in a trembling voice, "Lili- Lili- Lilian?"
As expected, Vivian had actually recognized her.
Everyone was pleasantly surprised. They all joined in. "Old Madam, it's Madam Lilian. She's here to see you."
Both Hansen and Trevor were shocked. Indeed, Vivian knew Lilian. It seemed that Madam Lilian really didn't come to see her for Jenna's sake.
Vivian looked straight at Lilian for a while. She suddenly became animated and struggled to raise her hand to point at Jenna with her mouth open. Just as she wanted to say something, a violent cough hit her, and her face turned red. Then, she put down her hand powerlessly and lay down on the bed, gasping for air.
Everyone started to call out for her.
Everyone was shouting anxiously.
Madam Lilian hurriedly patted Vivian's chest to help ease her breathing. However, after Vivian coughed for a while, she started to break out in cold sweat. She only panted heavily and could not say anything else. When they called for her again, she had lost her senses. She could not even recognize the person beside her.
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