Both of them turned their heads to look, and saw a man in an expensive black suit with a tall figure walking steadily towards them.
With eyebrows extending into his temples, a high nose bridge, and thin lips that seemed a touch sharp, his ink-black eyes carried a hint of a faint, toasty smile, and his deep and clear voice slowly rose.
"Who is Grandma scolding now?"
The afternoon sun swept past him, casting his silhouette into a tall and noble shadow; his every move exuded pride and elegance.
Old Madam watched her grandson with satisfaction, then turned her head and signaled Leila with her eyes, prompting Leila to quickly walk away.
The man crouched down, took Old Madam's hand, and looked at her as she pouted, pretending to be angry, and he chuckled softly.
"Who has upset Grandma, let your grandson take care of them!"
Old Madam pouted, "Who else but you, you ungrateful rascal?! Hurry up and find me a great-grandson to hold!"
A deep helplessness flickered through Joel Russo's dark eyes.
"Grandma, I've just returned to the country, where am I supposed to find you a woman to bear your great-grandson?"
Old Madam snorted, "Over these years, your excuses have never changed!"
She puffed her cheeks while saying this but turned her head towards the direction of Arabella Vanderbilt.
Leila had already walked up to her, and the woman looked over in this direction, raising her hand to wave at her.
Arabella, puzzled yet curious, followed Leila over anyway.
Joel Russo stood up and watched as Leila led a tall, slender woman towards them.
The woman's face was pale but did not hide her beauty; dressed in a loose hospital gown, she walked, the garment flaring wildly, indicating how thin her body must be underneath.
Joel Russo slightly squinted, his dark tan eyes intently following the woman's face as she drew nearer.
But when Arabella approached, her gaze wary and puzzled as it swept over him, he gradually averted his eyes.
He was slightly taken aback, this being the first time he had seen a woman so boldly meet his gaze.
Even more so, her eyes merely glanced over him before she shifted her attention to Grandma.
That look, indifferent and detached, surprised him and even left a hint of defeat floating in his heart.
He was briefly startled, his thin lips curling into a barely noticeable smile.
"Old Madam, did you have something you wanted to talk to me about?"
As Arabella spoke, she bent slightly, her tone carrying the weakness of illness and a softness.
This caused a glimmer to pass fleetingly through the deep orbs of Joel Russo's eyes.
Talking to someone who spends their years in a wheelchair, the most taboo thing is to make them crane their neck, especially bad for the cervical spine.
This was something he always paid attention to and naturally knew that such a posture was the most tiring.
No different than doing a horse stance.
For such a frail woman...
Old Madam's eyes twinkled with deeper amusement, holding Arabella's hand, her gaze intently scrutinizing Arabella's face for a long while, nodding repeatedly.
"Mmm, not bad, not bad at all!"
Arabella, not understanding, could only maintain a polite yet awkward smile.
"Child, don't worry, Grandma is not a bad person. Just terribly bored, I took a fancy to you and had someone suddenly call you over, it was a bit abrupt, forgive Grandma, ah!"
Facing Old Madam's undisguised enthusiasm, Arabella shook her head.
"It's okay, I am on my own anyway."
As Arabella said this, a minuscule trace of bitterness flickered in her clear eyes, easily captured by Old Madam who then patted her hand with a touch of sympathy.
"Good child, what is your name?"
"Arabella, Arabella Vanderbilt."