After pushing open the gate of the front yard, they immediately saw everything at a glance.

Looking at the mud on the ground and the farming tools scattered in a corner of the yard, Carlos found everything in front of him incredibly unfamiliar. Having gotten used to living in luxury, he found it difficult to adapt.

There was no one in the front yard, but there were a few voices coming from inside the house, followed by Geoffrey’s gleeful laughter.

Carlos was stunned when he heard the laughter.

He could tell that it was his father’s laughter, but this was why he was surprised.

Even when he lived with the Stones, Geoffrey had never laughed in such a joyous and relaxed manner.

Is there some hidden treasure in this shabby place that’s making Father so happy that he doesn’t feel any discomfort?

The thought of it made Carlos’s heart sink. He quickly stepped forward and pushed open the door of the house.

The door wasn’t locked, so Carlos’s abrupt entrance interrupted the laughter and chatter inside. The situation in the house was displayed clearly.

Frankly speaking, the situation in the house wasn’t as luxurious as Carlos thought. Instead, it was just as shabby and run-down as it seemed on the surface.

The white-painted walls were plain, and there was only some necessary furniture. It was similar to an ordinary farmer’s home. Even the lights were cheap and ordinary, without a lampshade. So the house was extremely dim.

This scene left Carlos in disbelief!

He had never lived in such a shabby environment with such poor living conditions!

Just as Carlos was in a daze, the few people in the house, whose conversation Carlos’s abrupt appearance had interrupted, looked over at him.

“What are you doing here?” Geoffrey frowned and questioned hostilely the moment he saw Carlos.

Carlos returned to his senses and stepped forward. He said awkwardly, “Father, I’m here to bring you home.”

Geoffrey snorted coldly. “I’m living well here. This is my home!”

Carlos scanned the surroundings. “Father, stop being mad at me. Look at this small and shabby place. There’s mud everywhere, and it’s just like a garbage dump. You’re the former helmsman of the Stones, and you’ve lived in a luxurious villa for decades. Isn’t staying here an insult to you?

“Don’t be angry anymore and come home with me!”

Geoffrey’s face became even gloomier, but Carlos was too busy criticizing and being disgusted with the interior and exterior furnishings of the house to notice his displeasure.

At this moment, Maddy, who heard the commotion, came out of the kitchen and saw Carlos at a glance. She frowned the moment she heard his disdainful remarks about her grandfather’s small residence.

The Stones of the older generation, whom Carlos had specially brought along, said, “Geoffrey, you’ve worked hard all your life, and now that you’re old, it’s time for you to enjoy yourself. How can you let yourself suffer in such a shabby house? The Stones will be really disgraced if word about this gets out!”

“Yes, Geoffrey, this run-down place is not where you belong. You should quickly come home with us! Be it the decor, size, or whatnot, the Stones’ villas are thousands of times better than this place. Hurry up and come home!”

“You’re the former helmsman of the esteemed Stone family. If others find out that you’re living in such a shabby place, Carlos will be criticized for being unfilial!”

…

The people were saying all sorts of things to convince Geoffrey to return to the Stone residence.

Although their ultimate goal was to get Maddy to return to the Stones, she was very stubborn, so they had already reached a consensus on the way here—they should never persuade Maddy directly. Instead, they should start by persuading Geoffrey.

As long as they could convince Geoffrey and get him to say a few things to convince Maddy, they would naturally succeed.

But their act of despising the small residence that Geoffrey liked had the opposite effect.

Geoffrey slammed the table and hollered furiously, “Shut up!”

The Stones instantly shut up in fright.

There was dead silence.

Seeing that things were going awry, Carlos hurriedly said, “Father, please stop being upset with me. I was wrong for what happened previously. Come home with me! I’m worried about you living in this shabby place alone at your age!”

“Hmph, I don’t think there’s anything you need to worry about! Besides, who says I’m living alone here?” Geoffrey looked at his son in disdain, his heart calm.

“I will live with Grandpa and take care of him!” Maddy walked out, held Geoffrey’s arm, and said calmly, “Mr. Stone, you can rest assured and go home. You don’t have to worry about Grandpa.”

Jordan and Lucas stood quietly by the side without speaking.

Since it was the Stones’ internal affair, they should resolve it themselves.

Of course, regardless of what Maddy’s ultimate decision was, Jordan and Lucas would respect her choice.

“Maddy, I know I was at fault previously, and I shouldn’t have treated you that way. But at the time, I didn’t know that you were capable of solving the incident with the Bransons. I had no choice but to do that for the sake of our family. Please just forgive me once, okay?

“Moreover, I know that you have always been a filial child, and you’re the closest to your grandfather. Can you really bear to see him suffering and living in such a dirty and messy place at his age? Maddy, quickly help us persuade your grandfather to come home!

“Now that we’ve just resolved our crisis, we will soon rise to glory if we can find a suitable opportunity! Father, haven’t you always thought about making the Stones more prosperous? There’s a great opportunity in front of you right now, and the Stones need your leadership!”

Carlos asked Maddy to persuade Geoffrey to go home. The next moment, he tried to make Geoffrey waver by constantly mentioning the future opportunities and prospects of the Stones.

However, although he said a lot, it only made the gaze in Geoffrey’s eyes even colder, and he became even more disappointed in Carlos.

Geoffrey scoffed and interrupted Carlos mercilessly, “Carlos, you are my son. I know better than anyone what you are thinking deep down! Don’t bother trying to fool me with those tricks!”