Claude was unhappy to hear that.
“From what you just said, you’re into this because of how wealthy the Newton family is, aren’t you? You like Carmella because of this, don’t you? This is Norton’s marriage we’re talking about. Why does it matter if you like it or not? No matter how amazing Carmella is, that’s because of her own effort. Norton has just started building his career. Will he be happy to be with Carmella? Madam Madeline has always been a snob. The Newton family won’t be where they are today if it weren’t for their connections. Do you know that none of their youngsters got married out of love? Just take a look at Frederic. Do you really think that Norton and Carmella will fall in love with each other if you arrange this for them? You can’t do this without informing Norton beforehand,” Claude said. He was reminded of his own marriage, which was also arranged by Elmore for the sake of building the Richards family business. There was no love at all between him and Maria, and that was exactly why he didn’t like being at home. His arranged marriage had also led to many more unfortunate events. Claude didn’t want the same history to repeat in his son’s future. He wanted Norton to marry someone he loved and lived happily with his spouse.
Maria looked wronged after hearing what Claude had said. She replied, “Claude, what you said won’t work anymore. Norton has been like this since he was a child. Just how much time did you spend with him as a father? He got himself in trouble, and you were in Africa. Now that he’s an adult, shouldn’t we at least try our best to find him the perfect match? Are you happy to see him being alone for the rest of his life? With his personality, how can we expect him to start a family on his own? He won’t even approach the ladies, and the ladies definitely won’t want to approach him too with him looking gloomy all the time. Do you think that there is a line of women waiting for him to pick them?”
Maria’s words sounded logical, but Claude looked even more upset. He felt as if she was embarrassing him in front of the entire family. He was about to come up with something, but Trevor interrupted and said, “Well, to be fair, we should leave this to fate. Now that Madam Madeline decided to pay us a visit, we shouldn’t reject them, right? We won’t be giving them any respect if we do so. We should at least meet them, and let things happen naturally. Who knows? The two of them might happen to like each other actually. With them being adults, they’d know what to do. Let’s stop dwelling on this, shall we?”
Trevor tried to smooth things over as he didn’t want to ruin the harmonious atmosphere during breakfast.
He managed to keep Claude and Maria from arguing further.
The breakfast resumed.
Jenna thought about Carmella. She had seen Carmella a couple of times on TV. Carmella was not exceptionally pretty, but she gave off a strong career woman vibe and seemed too domineering. Would such a woman be a good match for Norton?
Jenna then shook her head.
With Norton falling head over heels for Sabrina, Jenna doubted that he’d be attracted to other women at all.
Jenna was still trapped in her thoughts when she heard high heels clicking on the ground. A couple of seconds later, Liya entered the dining hall with her usual heavy makeup on.
“Dad, Mom, Uncle, Aunt, good morning,” Liya greeted them with a smile before taking her seat at the dining table on her own and started eating breakfast.
The harmonious and warm breakfast atmosphere, which was interrupted by Maria bringing up the wedding proposal by Madam Madeline, was further ruined upon Liya’s arrival.
Jenna had an upset stomach once she saw Liya. She could no longer eat anything.
Sabrina, on the other hand, was also in a bad mood, and had lost her appetite.
The both of them took some small bites before exchanging glances and excused themselves from the dining hall.
They headed to the garden for a walk. They were by the entrance when they spotted Norton rushing over in a hurry.
The three of them froze in place, with a distance not too far away from one another.
Norton looked exhausted. He fixed his gaze on Sabrina, clearly looking embarrassed. He didn’t know how to face her again after the incident the night before. He didn’t expect to run into her.
“Jenna, let’s head there,” Sabrina said lightly with a cold face as she looked away, and pointed to the lotus pond.
Jenna noticed that Norton was staring at Sabrina. He was hesitating on whether he should speak up. Jenna wanted to excuse herself, so that the two of them could clear things out, but Sabrina was quick to react. Jenna felt a little helpless at that moment.
Sabrina tugged on Jenna’s arm as they headed to the other direction, leaving Norton behind.
Norton stood there for a while, looking helpless all by himself. He couldn’t help himself the night before, that he forgot what had brought him to her room in the first place. He wanted to inform Sabrina about his blind date with Carmella and tell her about his feelings. He didn’t want Sabrina to think otherwise. Yet, things didn’t go as planned.
Norton didn’t know if Sabrina would be bothered by Carmella visiting. He just wanted to let Sabrina know that he would never agree to marry Carmella, but it seemed like he had lost the opportunity to explain himself.
The way Sabrina looked at him just then was as if he was her sworn enemy. She was icy. She must be hating him for what had happened the night before.
Norton didn’t want to take advantage of her the night before. He was too carried away by his desires and couldn’t restrain himself. He still couldn’t believe that he would hurt her so much.
Jenna and Sabrina had gone far, but Norton was still standing there with his head lowered. It took him a while to finally make way to the Ink Garden’s corridor.
“Sabrina, with Madam Madeline making her visit today, it seems like we will have to prepare for lunch already,” Jenna said. Sabrina’s expression was gloomy, and she was in a trance as her mind kept wandering off. Jenna had been making small talk to her as they walked, but Sabrina hadn’t been responding much to her words. Jenna was helpless and had run out of topics to talk about.
“What else is there to prepare when Norton can just treat them to a meal outside?” Sabrina said with a faint expression.
“It doesn’t feel right to do that. She’s here to pay Grandma a visit. The least we can do is to treat them to a family meal.” Jenna shook her head after a brief pause.
“They’re here for a blind date. Norton should dine out with them, so that they can talk more about their future together. They can’t talk much with so many eyes looking over at them in this place, can they?” Sabrina continued to say in a faint tone.
Jenna could tell that she sounded upset and somewhat jealous. Jenna turned towards her and asked carefully, “Sabrina, if there’s anything you’d like to say about Norton’s blind date, just tell me, and I’ll help you think of a way.”
“No, that’s ridiculous.” Sabrina immediately shook her head in denial. “It has nothing to do with me. Norton is an adult now. It’s perfectly normal for him to go on a blind date. It’s a good thing. Why would I have anything to say? This is too funny.”
Sabrina almost sounded as if she wasn’t bothered at all, with her face blank.
Jenna sighed lightly. She couldn’t figure out what Sabrina was thinking.
At ten o’clock in the morning, the Newton family’s luxurious vehicle drove into Richards Manor. Claude and Norton stood by the entrance to welcome them.
Madeline was already in her eighties. She respected them enough to pay Vivian a visit in person. They had to be courteous.
“Nice to meet you, Madam Madeline,” Claude said politely with a wide smile on his face, as Madeline stepped out of her car. She was dressed up elegantly.
“Likewise, Mr. Richards,” Madeline also greeted with a smile. She was in high spirits and still looking healthy.
Carmella was dressed in a suit and had light makeup on. She smiled politely at them. She had a tall and thin figure. She looked elegant and confident. It wasn’t hard to tell that she was a stylish and modern career woman at first glance.
“Nice to meet you, Madam Madeline,” Norton, who was at the side, greeted Madeline politely.
“So, is this Norton?” Madeline asked with a smile as she sized Norton up.
“Yes, indeed,” Claude replied with a humble smile.
“Great, he’s a talented young man.” Madeline was all smiles as she saw Norton’s handsome face and strong figure.
“Thank you, Madam Madeline.” Norton smiled.
“Nice to meet you, Uncle Trevor and Norton,” Carmella greeted after Madeline. She was polite and well-mannered.
“Nice to meet you too, Carmella,” Claude immediately replied with a wide smile.
There was a faint smile on Norton’s face as he greeted her with a nod.
After exchanging greetings, Claude then led Madam Madeline and Carmella to the electric vehicle.
Madeline inspected the scenery in the manor as she praised. “Richards Manor really lives up to its reputation. The greenery and landscaping are so well done and complements the building well too. It is breathtaking scenery.”
Claude smiled. Noticing that Madeline was in high spirits, he ordered the driver to bring them on a tour around Richards Manor before visiting Vivian in Ink Garden.
Jenna and Marissa were waiting at the Ink Garden lobby for Madeline’s and Carmella’s arrival. There was another round of warm greetings before Madeline suggested visiting Vivian.
Madeline was emotional to see Vivian finally. After all, Vivian had always been tough and wise, involving herself in many kind deeds. However, looking at her condition right then, Madeline couldn’t help feeling sad and pitiful.
After visiting Vivian, they led Madeline and Carmella to the reception room, and chatted with them there.
Maria was already waiting for them in the reception room. She was all smiles when they arrived.
They made small talk, and Madeline was in high spirits.