“Of course.”
Sienna didn’t hesitate, but Isaac couldn’t help his sarcastic tone, “I’ve been suspecting lately that the Ellison family has been tainted by something unclean. Marilyn hasn’t woken up yet; it’s not good to have such bad luck living in the Ellison family.”
His words were quite disrespectful. Callie’s calm expression cracked with disgust, but before she could speak, Nelson retorted, “Mr. Ellison, are you implying that Sienna, who has been a devout Buddhist for so many years, can’t suppress these things?”
As he spoke, he casually played with the Buddhist beads in his hand.
Isaac, feeling embarrassed, impatiently began to eat.
Sienna didn’t pursue the matter and gave Callie a reassuring look.
Callie glanced at Jaquan quietly. He remained silent, his face not looking well.
Sienna signaled the servant to pour wine for everyone. Once the wine was served, she asked, “Jaquan, how is the investigation by the Securities Regulatory Commission going?”
Jaquan picked up a piece of bamboo shoot and chewed it slowly. “Someone with ill intentions tried to frame me, but they couldn’t find anything. The people from the Securities Regulatory Commission naturally let me go. It’s all over now.”
Sienna nodded. “With Marilyn in trouble, you can’t let your father-in-law worry anymore.”
Jaquan nodded. “After dinner, I’ll go ask for punishment.”
“Jaquan looks much more haggard,” Nelson said, staring at him. “This inspection by the Securities Regulatory Commission must have taken a lot out of you. Just dealing with all the connections is exhausting.”
Jaquan’s expression was unreadable. “In this position, who hasn’t been investigated a few times? Nelson, if one day the Oconnor Group reaches this point, you can come to me for advice.”
Nelson continued to fiddle with his Buddhist beads, his smile friendly on the surface. “The Oconnor Group won’t.”
Callie watched the high-level exchange at the dining table, unable to eat.
After dinner, a servant came with a message saying Marilyn had woken up, so they all went to see her.
She was awake but not in high spirits. She looked lifeless, her gaze indifferent to everyone until it landed on Callie.
Her brows furrowed. “… Why are you here?”
Callie remained calm. “To see you. After all, you’re a year younger than me; Oh, speaking of which, I’m like your elder sister. I come here to visit you, my younger sister. Not welcome?”
She stated it plainly but saw Marilyn’s expression grow increasingly panicked. She gripped Jaquan’s hand tightly, as if trying hard to suppress something. “Who is your sister?”
Callie smiled knowingly. “Then I overstepped.”
As she walked out the door, Ahmad hurriedly approached with support. “Marilyn-”
However, upon seeing Callie, he stopped abruptly. She nodded at him in greeting as he walked past her, creating a gust of wind.
Callie showed no expression.
“Why did you do something so foolish!” Ahmad’s voice came from inside. “Attempting suicide in the ancestral hall!”
Marilyn was protected by Jaquan and refused to lift her head.
“I don’t want to live anymore.”
“You!” Ahmad raised his cane but was stopped by Jaquan. “Father, Marilyn just woke up; don’t argue with her. The doctor said she has claustrophobia; maybe she shouldn’t have been locked in the ancestral hall.”
He spoke while patting Ahmad’s back.
“Claustrophobia?” Ahmad was bewildered. “She never had this problem before.”
Marilyn slightly lifted her eyes and caught a glimpse of a burning gaze. It was as if she had been scalded and quickly looked away.
Nelson stood behind her, elegant under the fluorescent light, his gaze on Marilyn filled with warning.
Ahmad sighed. “I shouldn’t have locked you in the ancestral hall. I apologize.”