Chapter 98: Chapter 98: Easing the Awkwardness
Elder Prescott wasn’t sure if Ashley Shaw was in this room since Ashley hadn’t given them the specific room number. They had shown her picture to the front desk, and the receptionist had guided them based on memory.
So he stood behind Warren Prescott, waiting for Warren to confirm first.
At this moment, Warren stepped to the side, and Elder Prescott saw Ashley inside, so he immediately came in.
"Mia, you’re here!"
The old man’s eyes crinkled up with his smile, showing how genuinely happy he was for her.
"Grandpa Prescott."
Ashley quickly got up from the song-selecting station and walked over to Elder Prescott.
Elder Prescott was wearing a dark red Tang suit, which was out of place with everyone else’s attire, and not just in terms of dress but also age.
However, he didn’t mind being surrounded by young people at all. Picking up the microphone, he smiled and said, "I suppose you’re all Ashley’s friends? Allow me to introduce myself, I’m Ashley’s grandpa. I appreciate all the care you’ve given her recently. This old man thanks you all for looking after my granddaughter."
Ashley’s eyes turned slightly red.
After her grandfather passed away in her previous life, she truly had no family. Seeing him so alive and vigorous now filled her with emotions.
Both happy and sad.
Happy because Grandpa Prescott was back in her life, sad because she knew when he’d leave again.
She wished time would just stop at this moment.
Fortunately, with the dim lighting in the room, no one noticed her emotions if they weren’t paying attention.
Everyone in the room laughed and praised Ashley, talking about how delightful she was.
Claire Xavier recognized Grandpa Prescott and naturally started up a conversation first.
"Grandpa Prescott, long time no see. You look as strong as ever."
"Ashley is working at my store now. She’s very sweet and hardworking. I’ll take care of her to the best of my ability, so please rest assured."
"Since you’re here, why not have fun with us today? Do you like singing? I’ll pick a song for you."
It’s hard for elders not to like Claire Xavier, and naturally, her character and personality add to the charm.
Elder Prescott looked even more delighted.
"Since no one minds me, I’ll perform a song for everyone!"
"Great!"
Everyone applauded enthusiastically.
Claire Xavier brought Elder Prescott over to the song station to help him choose a song.
Warren Prescott’s voice rang out at this moment.
"Does anyone mind one more person?"
Everyone nodded, and there was no way they’d say they did mind.
Although Claire wasn’t too happy about it, she still smiled and said, "Of course, the more, the merrier! Come on, pick a song too."
"I won’t sing. I’m just here as a bodyguard for ’the old kid’ at home."
Elder Prescott snorted and said, "Ignore him, we’ll just do our thing, pretend he’s not even here."
Warren didn’t seem to mind and sat on a sofa closest to where Elder Prescott was selecting songs.
The assistant manager tactfully handed two bottles of drinks over.
"Cola or canned alcohol, which would you like?"
"Thanks, I still need to drive later, so cola is fine."
Having said this, Warren took the drink and said no more.
The assistant manager didn’t know what else to say, so after a smile, he returned to his place.
Soon the room was filled with music.
It was a very old song none of them had heard before.
Of course, it was Elder Prescott’s song choice.
"Vast grasslands, beautiful hills..."
Elder Prescott sang with gusto, and had the song not been so dated, he really had the aura of a young person.
When the song ended, everyone clapped appreciatively.
Ashley was about to ask Elder Prescott to sing another, but she got pulled to the big screen by Claire Xavier.
"And now, let’s have our star today sing a song for everyone!"
Ashley was suddenly flustered.
"Ms. Grant, I really don’t want to sing..."
But Elder Prescott shoved the microphone into her hand.
"You’re the star, how can you not sing? Come on, sing one for Grandpa; I’ve never heard you sing before."
Ashley froze with a stiff smile.
"I really don’t sing well..."
"Just one, just one song!"
"Ashley, don’t be shy, sing any song you like."
"It’s not a contest, just sing casually; there’s no one here but us."
Ashley’s face was beet red, feeling as if she was hanging in the air, unable to move forward or backward.
Claire had already moved to the song station and asked Ashley, "What song? I’ll select it for you!"
"I..."
With everyone’s enthusiasm, Ashley didn’t know what to do, then saw Warren suddenly stand up and look at her.
She instinctively looked over as Warren asked her, "Do you know ’Crossing’? I’ll sing with you."
With someone taking the lead, Ashley naturally agreed, even though it was Warren; she quickly nodded.
"I know a bit..."
"Alright, just follow my lead."
Warren said as he picked up another microphone on the table and stood beside her, then looked at Claire Xavier.
"’Crossing,’ if you don’t mind."
Claire let out a dry laugh, reluctantly selecting the song for the two.
This song only had a solo version in the karaoke system, so Ashley only needed to hum along on the side.
With the intro playing, Warren was the first to start singing—
"If my way of loving you is no longer the same as when we started, why don’t we swap places to see how it originally was..."
Warren’s deep voice drew everyone into the atmosphere unconsciously.
His tall figure casually stood there, under the rotating disco ball, with the light flickering over his face.
Even with such ease and composure, and a faint smile on his face, everyone still felt the innate pride and nobility emanating from him, as if although he was in front of them, he was far, far away.
He seemed even less a part of the same world with them than Elder Prescott, truly standing out.
This realization left the men present with awkward expressions.
Yet, his handsome face was captivating, drawing both men and women alike unconsciously.
Having sung only two lines, everyone in the room was already mesmerized.
Ashley watched him in stunned surprise.
She had never heard Warren sing.
It turned out his singing was this good...
At this point, Warren looked at her as he sang, "I imagine a future with you..."
There seemed to be emotions swirling in his eyes, a glinting light in his dark eyes, as if carrying a burning warmth.
Ashley instinctively turned her gaze away.
Why did he have to look at her during this line...
But a song was just a song; she quickly brushed it off without overthinking.
Noticing that everyone was watching them, she hummed along to avoid giving the impression she was just following behind.
"No matter how things change, the past remains..."
As Ashley started singing, the room was filled with more expressions of surprise.