Love and Devotion No Longer His to Claim (Angela and Dexter) novel Chapter 233

Angela pressed her lips together, making no comment. At that moment, one of the maids stepped forward.

"Ms. Graham, Mrs. Jewell Senior would like to see you. Would you please come with me?"

The maid carried herself with utter professionalism and had a polite smile on her face. She seemed more like a head housekeeper than an ordinary maid.

Angela frowned slightly. "Mrs. Jewell Senior?"

The maid nodded.

Layla Anderson, Zayn's paternal grandmother, had always been a fan of Sue's designs. Angela wondered if she had perhaps begun to suspect something.

Angela's brows knitted together, but she didn't refuse.

She, too, wanted to know whether Layla was doing well.

Following the maid upstairs, she made several turns through the grand house before arriving at Layla's study.

Downstairs, the banquet hall was still lively, but up here, the atmosphere was completely different.

Layla sat by the floor-to-ceiling windows, quietly reading. The spacious study was so silent that even a pin drop would have been audible.

The maid stepped forward and softly announced Angela's arrival. Hearing that, Layla closed her book and turned around.

The moment their eyes met, Angela's gaze flickered. She saw it in the old woman's eyes—the scrutiny and calculating nature.

"Ms. Graham, please have a seat," Layla said, gesturing for someone to bring refreshments.

A soothing aroma filled the room as tea was served.

Angela reined in her thoughts and asked in a quiet voice, "What did you want to see me about, Mrs. Jewell Senior?"

Instead of answering, Layla had someone bring over a stack of documents and handed them to Angela.

Angela's expression shifted in surprise.

These were all her works—her original design sketches.

Layla got straight to the point. "These are your designs, aren't they, Ms. Graham?"

In that instant, Angela understood everything.

With that, she turned to leave.

"Stop right there!" Layla's sharp voice rang out.

Angela's footsteps halted, and her back stiffened slightly.

"If you don't want to acknowledge your old name, fine. But do you have any idea what's become of Henry Lawson and your senior apprentice?"

Layla stepped forward and grasped Angela's wrist. "Tell me. I need to know."

Looking into the elder's aged, cloudy eyes, Angela felt a pang of sorrow. She had lost contact with her mentor and senior apprentice long ago.

Henry had made it clear—if she married Dexter, she would no longer be considered his disciple, and she was forbidden from ever using the name "Sue" again.

That had been four or five years ago. Too much time had passed.

When Angela left Layla's study, her mind was heavy with thoughts. As she reached the stairway landing, she saw Mia waiting for her at the corner.

"Angela, are you okay? You look pale," Mia asked, her voice filled with concern, her eyes soft and watchful.