Chapter 56

With a quiet sigh, Fletcher guessed aloud. "Maybe Isaac is unhappy with his fiancée and feels powerless in this marriage arrangement. He could be using this as a chance to push the Willis family into canceling the engagement."

Having watched Isaac grow from a boy into a man,Barrie wore a grave expression.

At such a young age, Isaac had already lost his ability to walk and was now bound to a marriage with a woman he despised.

Not only did Isaac feel burdened, but the entire Lyons family pitied his situation.

Fletcher voiced his doubt next. "Alec needs to be sharper. Doesn't he check into relationships before seeking favors? Why would we interfere with someone Isaac is trying to deal with?"

After a short pause, he added, "Still, Alec isn't stupid.He rose to fortune almost overnight and built Willis Group into what it is today."

Following a moment of thought, Barrie said to the butler, "Get in touch with the Willis family and learn what you can."

The butler answered with respect, and then went off to search for the Willis family's number and place the call.

Inside the Willis Villa, Laura looked over at the wall clock. "It's already nine o'clock, and we still haven't heard back. Do you think Barrie is avoiding the trouble because he doesn't want to return the favor?"

Alec answered in a low, firm tone, "Nonsense! Barrie is known all over Shoildon for his integrity. You think everyone stoops to your way of thinking?"

Even as he mocked her, his eyes flicked to the clock,and his fists tightened.

The cup of coffee in front of him sat untouched,long since grown cold.

Truthfully, unease was gnawing at him.

His train of thought broke off when the landline suddenly rang

Alec and Laura froze in surprise, and then rushed toward the ornate round table to answer the call.

The screen displayed no name at all, only a short string of numbers. When Alec answered the call, he spoke cautiously."Hello, Alec Willis speaking."

On the other end, an aged, gravelly voice replied,"Good morning, Mr. Willis. This is Morris Fowler, the butler of MMr. Barrie Lyons."

At that, Alec looked over at Laura, and the nervous tension weighing on them both immediately lifted.

Alec answered warmly,, Mr. Fowler, I've heard of you. You've been with Mr. Lyons since your youth,skilled in so many things, and still impressive even in your sixties."

The praise flowed easily, masking Alec's eagerness beneath a layer of flattery.

"That's very kind of you, Mr. Willis." Morris, long used to such words, skipped over them and asked directly,"Mr. Lyons has seen your letter. What is the matter you wish to discuss with him?"

Laura, standing beside Alec, gave his elbow a small nudge, urging him to bring up the request without delay.

Still, Alec understood that men like Barrie had no patience for empty pleas without proper justification.

So,he chose to lean on sentiment and bring up Kaia's name.

"It's nothing too serious," Alec said with a gentle smile and a note of concern. "I only wished to ask how Mr.Lyons' injured leg is doing. The weather is cold now,and he ought to take care of his health."

Morris knitted his brows, puzzled by Alec's sudden concern over Barrie's condition.

At that moment, Alec let out a regretful sigh. "If I had realized sooner that my daughter could heal Mr.Lyons ' leg, I would have sent her years ago and spared him all that needless suffering."

Of course, Alec twisted the truth, fully aware that Kaia had not been capable of such work at the time.

That detail hardly mattered now. What counted was that he sounded sincere and that Morris remembered it was his daughter who had brought recovery to Barrie's leg.

In the end, the Lyons family remained indebted to the Willis family.

Once the call ended, Morris wasted no time and stepped quickly outside.

When Morris repeated Alec's message, Barrie grew quiet, lost in thought as he considered the possibility.Dr.Willis had chosen to remain somewhat anonymous, revealing only her family name.

A moment later, Moris put forward a new idea. "That physician shared the surname Willis. Is it possible she's Alec's daughter, Mr. Lyons?"

Barrie's eyes brightened with understanding,his jaw slackening a bit. "My recovery hasn't been publicized.If this information reached them, there's a great chance Dr. Willis is Alec's daughter."

Turning his focus to Fletcher, he asked, "Can you tell me how many girls are in the Willis family?"

Knowledgeable about the household, Fletcher answered without hesitation, "They have two daughters. The older one is Isaac's fiancée. She grew up out in the countryside and reportedly didn't finish her last year of high school. The younger daughter is studying medicine and is said to be quite skilled."

Confirmation dawned on Barrie, and he smacked the table with a burst of excitement. "There it is! If the younger daughter's studying medicine, she must be Dr.Willis who healed my leg."

Determined, Barrie continued, "If Alec's daughter is the doctor who treated me, I owe her more than I can say. The Willis family deserves my help with their club problems-even if lsaac objects. Now, help me up!"Bracing himself with his cane, he insisted, "I want to speak to the Willis family myself. Take me inside."

The shared enthusiasm was clear as Fletcher quickly guided Barrie indoors.

Over at the Willis Villa, Alec felt surprised to hear the Lyons family calling back so soon.

As soon as he answered, an exuberant voice from the other end cut in before he could introduce himself."Mr. Willis, I owe you thanks. You've raised a remarkable and considerate daughter."

Though pride was unmistakable, Alec managed a humble reply. "Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Lyons.She certainly has a mischievous side."

Barrie responded warmly, "Don't sell her short, Mr.Willis. Your daughter is exceptionally well-mannered.It's a shame my grandson isn't good enough for her.Otherwise, it would be an honor if she joined my family."

Even though Alec heard Barrie's wish, he remained cautious about reading too much into it, focusing instead on the business at hand.

For Alec, the business matter came first.

Alec had only just begun to bring up the issue with the club when Barrie's strong voice interrupted him. "I'm aware of the problems regarding your club. Give me some time,and I'll take care of it."

Gratitude spread across Alec's features. "Your support means everything, Mr. Lyons. Thank you."

Without missing a beat, Barrie added, "Will you be available the day after tomorrow? If so, myfamily and I would like to pay a visit and show our appreciation."

Laura nearly let out a cheer, unable to contain her happiness.

Having one of Shoildon's most respected families come to visit would lift the Willis family's status to a new level.

Matching Laura's excitement, Alec nodded again and again, taking a deep breath to calm himself. "You are always welcome, Mr. Lyons. It's an honor for our family."

The phone call left Alec and Laura practically bursting with excitement, their energy lasting until Kaia finally returned from school later that day.

As soon as she stepped inside, Laura hurried over,cradled Kaia's cheeks, and planted a kiss on her forehead."You really are a wonderful daughter, Kaia.Every bit of love I've ever given you was worth it."