Chapter 229: Not a Lone Star of Calamity
After hearing the full story of how Samuel Foster was abandoned, Arabella Donovan and Beatrice were silent for a long time. Finally, Arabella was the first to speak.
"Can I ask a question?"
"What is it?"
"Grandpa Foster once said that his eldest grandson, Samuel Foster’s twin brother, was abducted by an enemy when he was just a few years old. Is that enemy the same person who caused Samuel to be lost and abandoned?"
Beatrice Donovan glanced instinctively at Samuel Foster. Seeing no reaction from him, she nodded. "In all likelihood, yes."
Arabella Donovan frowned. If that was the case, Master Foster’s enemy was utterly ruthless. After failing once, they simply arranged a second attempt—and the crucial thing was that they had actually succeeded both times.
If Samuel Foster hadn’t been lucky enough to be found and raised by his adoptive father, the Foster family line might have truly ended with his generation.
’Just how deep must the grudge and hatred be for them to not rest until they’ve wiped out an entire family line? It’s terrifying to even think about it.’
Caspian Rhodes nodded in full agreement. As the saying goes, it’s better to offend a villain than a madman. When some people lose their minds, there’s no telling what they’ll do, making them impossible to guard against.
"So, has this person been caught?"
"He got involved in another case ten years ago and died."
Arabella Donovan was speechless. It was... hard to know how to feel.
On one hand, she felt he got what he deserved. On the other, for someone who had done so many terrible things, such a simple death seemed to let him off too easily.
But in any case, the wicked had met their end. The fact that he could no longer harm good people was a blessing in itself.
Otherwise, with his unrelenting, fanatical drive to harm others, he might have targeted Samuel Foster again after he was found.
While they were clarifying the details of the Foster family’s past, Raphael Foster had already finished preparing all the dishes they had ordered.
Just as the last dish was served, Raphael Foster reappeared in the private room. With him were Master and Mrs. Foster, along with Samuel Foster’s adoptive father, Mr. Fulton.
"What are you all doing here?" Arabella Donovan exclaimed in surprise upon seeing the elderly couple, rushing over to help them.
"Raphael told us you’d brought friends here for a meal, so we rushed right over. We hope we’re not disturbing you by showing up unannounced?" Mrs. Foster said, holding Arabella’s hand. Her smile was so wide it deepened the wrinkles on her face.
"Of course not! My friend and I just had a craving for Mr. Foster’s cooking. I didn’t tell you beforehand because I was afraid you’d make a big fuss and disrupt the restaurant’s business. I can’t believe Mr. Foster told you anyway. Now you and Grandpa Foster have gone out of your way to make this trip."
"Oh, you. It’s no trouble at all. We live very close, less than ten minutes by car. On most days, we enjoy walking home to help digest our food. It’s so rare that you visit, how could we not come? If you or your friends want anything else to eat or drink, just let your Mr. Foster know. He’s a very skilled cook."
"Your grandmother is right. You don’t come by often, so don’t be shy with your Mr. Foster," Master Foster added. "We only just got Samuel back a few days ago, and with your grandfather’s wedding coming up, there’s a lot to do. That’s why we didn’t come find you right away. We were planning to visit and thank you in person on the day of your grandfather’s wedding, or perhaps after, but we didn’t expect you’d come here first."
Master Foster explained the situation in a few brief words, worried that Arabella might think they had forgotten her kindness now that they had their son back.
How could Arabella not understand what he meant? She felt a mix of amusement and helplessness. "You’ve only just been reunited with Samuel. You must have so much to talk about and arrange. My grandfather has also been very busy lately. I’m just glad everything is getting back on track. From now on, things will only get better."
"’Things will only get better,’" Master Foster repeated thoughtfully. "That’s a wonderful way to put it. A family, whole and safe—that’s what’s good. Your grandfather and I both owe you our thanks. If not for you, we would have likely taken this regret to our graves."
Seeing Arabella becoming a little overwhelmed by the elderly couple’s effusive gratitude, Raphael Foster quickly stepped in to smooth things over.
"Alright, Dad, let’s have a seat. Serena and her friends haven’t even eaten yet."
"Yes, yes, of course! Eat, eat, you must eat first. It’s almost one o’clock, you must be starving."
As if waking from a dream, the elderly couple quickly ushered Arabella to her seat.
They all had a few bites to eat first. Then, Mr. Fulton, who was sitting beside Samuel Foster, suddenly raised his glass and stood up. "Miss Donovan," he began, "I’ve heard all about you from Samuel. If it weren’t for you, I’m afraid I would have... just a few months ago. And you even helped him find his biological family, allowing him to return to the home where he truly belongs."
"Now, even if I were to close my eyes for the last time, I could do so in peace. I truly don’t know how I can ever thank you enough. I can’t drink alcohol in my current condition, so please allow me to toast you with tea instead, to thank you for everything you’ve done for Samuel and me."
This Mr. Fulton was only in his early fifties, yet his hair was already mostly white, and his dark, weathered face was etched with the lines of time. The loss of his closest kin, the burden of raising Samuel alone, and his own illness—all these hardships had weighed heavily on the thin shoulders of this simple, kind-hearted man. Yet, none of it had managed to extinguish the brilliant humanity that shone from within him.
Samuel Foster frowned at his words. "Dad, don’t talk about closing your eyes for good. I’ll get angry if you say things like that again."
Master Foster chuckled along. "Samuel’s right, my friend. Your illness is nothing to be so grim about. With modern medicine being so advanced, as long as you follow the treatment, living another twenty or thirty years won’t be a problem. So relax. We’re all waiting for Samuel to get married and have kids so we can dote on our grandchildren together. The best days are still ahead of us."
The moment Arabella heard Master Foster’s words, she instinctively glanced over at Samuel Foster.
Sure enough, she saw his expression freeze and his face flush with embarrassment. She couldn’t help but silently pity him for two seconds.
’Here we go, here we go! It’s the elders’ routine marriage-pushing session. Thank god I’m still young, so this has nothing to do with me. Don’t look at me, don’t look at me!’
Beatrice Donovan, who was several years older than Samuel Foster and had long since endured the relentless pressure to get married, was speechless.
Caspian Rhodes glanced at Arabella, who looked like she wanted to bury her face in her plate to become invisible. He couldn’t help but find it amusing, but a sense of crisis quickly dawned on him as well. His own age... it seemed he was also fast approaching the stage where he’d be pressured to marry.
At that thought, even someone as formidable as Caspian Rhodes couldn’t help but shudder.
With the elders present, the meal became somewhat subdued, and they didn’t get to discuss any serious matters.
After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Arabella and Caspian took their leave. The entire Foster family walked them to the door.
Arabella’s gaze swept over the group before finally resting on Raphael Foster, a look of understanding in her eyes.
"Mr. Foster," she said, "I’ve wanted to tell you this since the last time we met. You don’t have the fate of a cursed star, destined to be alone and bring misfortune. You simply had a run of bad luck in the first half of your life. Now, the hardships are over. Your family and career are both rejuvenated. The family you have now is also perfectly compatible with your destiny. Everything will be smooth and peaceful from now on; there won’t be any more major upheavals or mishaps."