Chapter 811 What Terrence Thinks
After lunch, Amelia and Carter returned to their offices and buried their heads in work until the evening. Amelia was packing her things, about to take the elevator, when her phone rang.
She picked up her phone and saw an unknown number flashing across the screen. With hesitation, she took the call. “Is this Amelia? I’m Derrick’s mother.” A pleasant woman’s voice came from the other end.
Surprise flashed across Amelia’s eyes. I didn’t expect Mrs. Hisson to call me. “Hi, Mrs. Hisson. May I know the reason for your call?” Amelia asked courteously.
“It’s nothing much. I just want to invite you and Oscar for dinner. Tiffany and Derrick are coming too,” Kate explained. Amelia was confused. With Mrs. Hisson’s disposition, she wouldn’t invite Oscar and me for dinner without a good reason. Something is up. At that thought, Amelia’s guard went up.
“Mrs. Hisson, may I know the reason for your sudden invitation to dinner?” she probed. “I realized my attitude toward you and Oscar in the past was terrible. As an apology, I want to invite both of you over for dinner. Will you be willing to accept this offer of olive branch? I hope you won’t reject me,” Kate asked gently.
“All right,” Amelia had no choice but to agree when Kate put it that way. “The dinner will be held at Room 209 of Hotel Van Hutton at seven in the evening tomorrow. Please come on time,” Kate insisted.
“Got it. Oscar and I will be there at seven sharp.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow then.”
After hanging up the phone, Amelia put her phone back into her purse in puzzlement and took the elevator with Jolin.
Oscar helped Amelia with her seat belt after she got into the passenger seat and caught her confused look. “What’s wrong? Did someone give you a difficult time?”
Amelia chuckled. “No, I got a call from Mrs. Hisson earlier. She invited us for dinner. We have zero association with her, so I’m worried she’s using us to cause trouble for Tiff.”
Oscar laughed and brushed the tip of her nose lovingly. “Tiff is not a three-year-old, silly. She’s not going to fall into the woman’s trap so easily. Don’t overthink it. If you want to know what Mrs. Hisson is up to, we’ll go to the dinner tomorrow.”
Amelia nodded.
The next day after work, Oscar picked up Amelia from her office and drove to Hotel Van Hutton. The minute they stepped into the lobby, a hostess with sensual body curves immediately led them to the private dining room.
When Amelia and Oscar entered the room, they noticed that Finnick, Kate, Tiffany, and Derrick were already seated, and on Kate’s left was an unwelcome guest—Crystal.
Kate rose to her feet to greet the two, “Amelia, Oscar, you’re finally here. Dad will be here in another ten minutes. Please have a seat.”
Amelia put on a calm facade and nodded.
She and Oscar took their seats beside Tiffany and discreetly observed Kate. However, Amelia didn’t notice anything unusual about Kate’s demeanor. Kate looks the same as always. She is friendlier toward us, though, completely different from her previous aggressiveness.
With confusion in mind, Amelia turned to glance at Tiffany. The latter had her head turned toward Amelia too. As though Tiffany could read the question on Amelia’s mind, she shook her head at the latter, implying that she had no idea what Kate was playing at.
At that moment, Kate elegantly poured a cup of coffee for both Amelia and Oscar. While she did that, Amelia continued to study her. Fearing that Kate had spiked the drink, Amelia had no intention of taking a sip.
“Amelia, Oscar, today’s dinner was actually Dad’s idea. He wanted to get acquainted with Oscar.” Kate chuckled.
Amelia nodded upon hearing that.
Coincidentally, a knock came from the door. “I’ll get it,” Crystal offered politely.
Having said that, she got up from her seat and crossed the room to open the door. The person standing outside the door was none other than Terrence who was in a good mood.
“Mr. Terrence, you’re here. Everyone is waiting for you,” Crystal said obediently.
Terrence nodded his head impassively.
Crystal’s presence at the dinner was quite awkward. There was no doubt that Kate had invited her to cause trouble for Tiffany.
Meanwhile, Kate hastily rushed to Terrence’s side to help him to his seat. “Dad, I invited Oscar to dinner as well. You can have a chat with him.”
Terrence merely shot her a dispassionate glance before taking his seat.
He then glanced at Oscar with kind eyes. “Oscar, I’m the one who asked Kate to invite you and your wife to dinner tonight. My reason for doing so is to apologize to you for her terrible attitude in the past, and I wish to collaborate with Clinton Corporations on a project.”
With a polite smile, Oscar answered, “You’re too courteous, Mr. Terrence. There’s no need to apologize. Mrs. Hisson didn’t say anything discourteous toward Amelia and me. However, Tiffany is like a sister to me, and she’s also my wife’s best friend, so I hope the Hissons can treat her fairly. Otherwise, I won’t take it nicely.”
Terrence still had the same expression on his face. “Of course. I’m satisfied with this granddaughter-in-law of mine. Everything that happened before was a misunderstanding. I’ll support their relationship as long as they are together.”
That was a direct guarantee Terrence gave to Amelia and Oscar.
Oscar picked up his cup. “Mr. Terence, I can rest assured with your word. I sincerely consider Tiffany as a sister. I love Amelia, so naturally, I’ll support her best friend with my very best. Clinton Corporations is willing to give the Hissons more benefits on certain aspects as long as you treat Tiffany right.”
Joy crossed Terrence’s expression.
The Hissons will gain more benefits from the Clintons, who are also in Tayhaven, than the Halliwell family.
Right then, the waiter started serving the dishes on the table. “The food is here. Let’s chat while we eat.”
Oscar and the rest nodded.
Meanwhile, a sinister glint flashed across Crystal’s eyes. She discreetly cast a glance at Kate while no one was paying attention, and Kate responded to her with a slight shake of her head, hinting for Crystal to be patient.
Kate scooped a bowl of soup for Terrence. “Dad, I specifically ordered the kitchen to make this mushroom soup. I’ve asked them not to put in extra cream. It might be a bit light tastewise, but it’s healthier.”
Terrence tasted a spoonful and swung his gaze to Crystal. “I heard you’re currently staying in Irushea at the moment, Crystal. When are you planning to return? Let me know so I can prepare a generous gift for you.”
Crystal’s expression stiffened instantly.
Kate said, “It’s rare for me to have someone I can talk to, Dad. I want her to stay for a few more days. I don’t know when I’ll see her again after she leaves.”
Terrence shot her a meaningful look. “Stay for a few more days then.”
Kate felt a chill run down her spine at the look Terrence gave her as she reached for Crystal’s hand beneath the table.
Halfway through dinner, Tiffany said, “Granddad, I have to use the restroom. My stomach is not feeling so well.”
Terrence laughed. “Go ahead. We’re a family. You don’t have to be so formal with me.”
Tiffany nodded before heading out of the room.
Amelia followed suit and went to the restroom with her.
When they entered the restroom, Amelia started, “You have to be careful, Tiff. I think Mrs. Hisson still hasn’t given up yet. She’s still adamant about matchmaking Crystal with Derrick. I think this whole dinner is a trap. I wonder what she’s going to do.”
I can see that, but Kate is my mother-in-law. I can’t confront her even if I’m unhappy about her actions or attitude. If I have health issues again, the Hissons will surely condemn me behind my back.
A bitter smile curved Tiffany’s lips as she said, “Babe, I know that. Don’t worry about me. She shouldn’t have dragged you and Oscar into this mess.”
Amelia washed her hands and replied, “It’s not a big deal for Oscar and me. With Oscar backing us up, she won’t be so dumb as to play any funny tricks.”
Tiffany merely smiled.
When they returned to the private dining room, the duo saw Crystal having a toast with Terrence.
“I want to propose a toast for you, Mr. Terrence. I’m grateful for your care all this while, and I’ve always considered you my biological grandfather. It’s unfortunate that I can’t be your granddaughter-in-law since nothing can happen between Derrick and me. I’ll be leaving for Irushea soon. There’ll be fewer chances for us to meet in the future after my departure. I wish you great health, and I hope you get a great-grandson soon,” Crystal said.
The mention of a son was like a slap to Tiffany’s face.
After all, Tiffany had a hard time getting pregnant. Crystal knew that yet intentionally brought it up.
Terrence lifted the drink that Kate poured for him and drank it.
“You’re a good girl, Crystal. Just come back if you’re not happy in Irushea. This place is your home. Also, you’re not getting any younger. Marry someone and have a child while you’re still young. No matter how perfect a woman is, they still need to find a man who loves them,” Terrence said kindly, but upon listening closely, one could hear his implication.
Naturally, Crystal understood that Terrence was keeping his guard up against her.
Right then, a sharp glint flashed across her eyes. “Got it, Mr. Terrence. I’ll bring him to meet you once I’ve found the right one.”
Terrence nodded.
Crystal gulped down the alcohol in her glass and sat back down.
Kate chuckled. “Oscar and Amelia are our guests tonight, Dad. Stop worrying about Crystal’s marriage. Others would think you were cautioning her.”
Terrence shot Kate another glance.
In the meantime, Finnick tugged Kate’s hand underneath the table, hinting for her to stop talking. After all, Terrence was the one who called all the shots in the Hisson family.
Kate knew she should stop talking, but she wasn’t happy about inviting Oscar and Amelia to dinner that night. If it wasn’t for Terrence’s insistence, and his warning for her to treat the two better, she wouldn’t even want Terrence to have anything to do with the Clintons.
Now that Tiffany had Oscar as her support, it was even more difficult for Kate to kick Tiffany out of the Hisson family. This dinner is not beneficial to my plan at all.
