7
The Howard family’s old mansion was in the suburbs of a neighboring province. Mr. Howard Sr. was getting on in years, and a fortune teller had said that location had good energy that would help him live to a ripe old age.
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If you ask me, for a man who could still father Lucas at nearly 50 years old, did he really need to worry about his health?
At the dining table, I sat next to Lucas. Across from us was William, Aiden’s father. Mr. Howard Sr. sat at the head of the table.
Mr. Howard Sr. was one of the country’s top media tycoons. His conglomerate spanned radio, film and television, newspapers and other media, building a veritable media empire. He was known for his iron will and decisiveness, with only one weakness – Lucas.
For the first ten minutes of the meal, the entire dining room was deathly silent. I knew this was Mr. Howard Sr.’s way of intimidating me.
Mr. Howard Sr. gave Wikiam a look.
“Little Chen-” My former father–in–law caught himself, realizing his mistake. “Sophia, how did you two get together? It seems rather sudden.”
Lucas lazily retorted on my behalf: “Love at first kiss.”
I immediately played along, gazing at Lucas with adoring eyes and a shy expression: “Yes, that fateful kiss at the awards ceremony.”
Our eyes met, the sweetness in our gazes so thick you could almost see strings connecting us.
Mr. Howard Sr. sitting at the head of the table couldn’t stand it anymore. He coughed and got back to the point: “Miss Chen, this son of mine
has quite the nasty temper.”
I smiled: “That just means Lucas has lots of room for growth.”
Mr. Howard Sr.: “He can infuriate people to death with that mouth of his.”
Me: “Oh, he just has a sharp tongue but a soft heart.”
Mr. Howard Sr.: “Lucas is young and fickle. I’m afraid he’ll end up disappointing you.”
I took Lucas’s hand: “That’s even better. It means Lucas is full of vitality.”
Mr. Howard Sr’s face remained impassive, but he was secretly impressed. Although Sophia’s family background and looks were ordinary, and
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Mr. Howard Sr.’s face remained impassive, but he was secretly impressed. Although Sophia’s family background and looks were ordinary, and her romantic history was a mess, she did have good taste.
My former father–in–law William had an expression like he’d eaten something rotten: “Sophia really has an eye for talent.”
At that moment, two figures appeared in the doorway, drawing everyone’s attention. It was Aiden and Isabella.
The two of them greeted everyone at the table, conspicuously skipping over me.
Lucas leaned close to my ear: “Sophia, I’ll help you fulfill your wish right now.”
Just as Aiden and Isabella were about to sit down, Lucas interrupted them: “Hold on!”
“Aiden, don’t you know the rules?” Lucas raised an eyebrow, gesturing at me. “Aren’t you going to greet her? This is your aunt.”
Of course Aiden wasn’t willing to call me “aunt.” For a moment, he was stuck awkwardly between sitting and standing, looking helplessly towards Mr. Howard Sr.
Lucas sneered: “No manners. As expected of a bastard.”
Mr. Howard Sr. glared at Lucas: “Nonsense. How dare you speak of your nephew that way.”
“I’m just telling the truth.”
“Eat your food. Aiden, sit down.”
Throughout the meal, the looks Aiden kept shooting my way could have pierced me with a thousand arrows. But I didn’t care anymore. One moment I was picking out food for Lucas, the next I was personally feeding him soup. I laid on the lovey–dovey act as thick as possible.
Mr. Howard Sr. couldn’t take it anymore. He didn’t even finish his meal before slamming down his bowl: “Lucas, get out here with me!”
Lucas stood up leisurely, not looking worried at all. He even flashed me a smile: “I’ll be right back.”
