Hearing old Russell’s words, Jonathan immediately put forward a dissenting view.
Pointing out the previous scandals, he used them as a reason not to allow Nicole and Evan to be together.
“Anyhow, her behavior and style were unfitting to be a candidate for Evan. I prefer a socialite like Sofie Sweeting who hails from a well-to-do upbringing to be a superior suitor for our Evan.”
“You audacious a**hole! What are you blabbering about? Methinks Sofie is in the same mold as Anthony the crook! Humbug! How can that spoilt doll be compared to the strong mother who single-handedly raised three excellent kids? Besides, surely Sofie will never treat the kids sincerely nor well. In my opinion, Ms. Lane is the most suitable partner for Evan.”
“…”
Seeing old Russell’s agitated stomping of his walking cane and adverse reaction towards his suggestion, Jonathan dared not to argue. It was rare for the old man to speak up so passionately.
Trying to calm the situation, Sophia took the opportunity to suggest that everyone should gather for a meal to get to know Nicole better once more.
Jonathan glared at her and muttered bitterly under his breath, “If she really marries Evan, with her disposition she will surely have conflicts with you in the future. Don’t expect me to bail you out then!”
Looking at her husband with indifference, Sophia spoke up confidently, “Although it is said that mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law are natural enemies, I sincerely believe that as long as we treat one another with respect and love, I will certainly get along with my daughter-in-law just fine!”
“…” Jonathan sullenly swiped a squint at his wife. He felt as if he was the odd one out.
Old Russell meanwhile was extremely satisfied with Sophia’s positive enthusiasm.
He chided Jonathan, telling him that he should learn more from his wife.
After all, only with a constructive mindset could a family be harmonious. How could one be prejudiced against Nicole who had yet to even step into the family? All those biases and preconceptions would be detrimental to a family’s relationship. How could the family get along happily in the future?
“Yes. I understand, father.” In front of the old patriarch, Jonathan dared not oppose further, hence he grudgingly nodded in agreement.
After that, Russell turned and looked fondly upon the four children. He wondered in his heart what gift he should bestow upon Nicole.
Since Evan himself is not short of money, therefore when Nicole marries him, naturally they will not be in want of anything in the future, hence…
The best gift therefore is something meaningful. An object maybe.
After mulling over it for a moment, he came up with a bright idea.
He felt both Evan and Nicole would definitely appreciate this planned gift.
Peering at Sophia, he requested her to call Evan as soon as possible, intending to invite Nicole along for a meal.
“I’ll call him right away.” Without delay, Sophia gingerly dialed for Evan.
Upon relaying old Russell’s invitation, she hung up. On the other end of the line, Evan was elated by the news.
Eyeing Nicole tenderly, he asked for her opinion.
“When are you free? Grandpa had just invited us for a dinner as a family.”
As a family?
Nicole was stupefied when she heard this.
Do the Seets finally agree to bless their relationship?
Now that the Seet patriarch himself invited her over for a meal with the family, this…
In fact, when she walked into the company building this morning, she was feeling insecure and unsure. She felt like there were dark clouds all over her head and thorns everywhere under her feet, as her looming future seemed so bleak.
In a blink of an eye, everything magically seemed to turn for the better. Evan suddenly wanted to marry her, even offering to compensate her with his all. Out of the blue, the Seet family accepted her and even extended her an invitation for a meal together.
Is this what they mean by the adage “dark clouds will always pass by and the sun will always shine another day”? Dare I hope for a rainbow after the storm?
Ah! Life is such a fickle thing.
One day you’re up, the next day you’re down.
In that moment of contemplation, she felt unused to the turn of events that just happened.
She could scarcely believe it, nor dare to accept this new reality.
Secretly, she gave herself a pinch.
Ouch… It does hurt.
I guess I’m not dreaming after all!
Seeing her silence, Evan was worried that she might be feeling uncomfortable and unwilling to accept the invitation. He planned to reject it outright for her sake.
Instead, she stopped him halfway and explained, “Eating with your family is a big and important event. I don’t want to screw it up. Hence I need some time to prepare well.”
Evan studied her cautious expression and could not help but felt amused. “Well, you can take your sweet time to prepare!”
“How about noontime the day after tomorrow?” Nicole started her planning in her head.
I’ll have some time to shop for some clothes tomorrow. It’s always a good idea to dress up better when meeting his parents. Impression matters!
“Sounds good!” Evan relayed the time to Sophia. The latter even asked him to accompany Nicole for her shopping tomorrow.
Hanging up the call, Evan scrutinized her from the top to the bottom.
She had been dressing modestly, trying to save up as much as she could for the sake of raising the kids. She must have suffered a lot.
