“Oh, look at you, little cutie!” Isabella chuckled and pinched Asher’s chubby cheeks, then lifted the child from the ground, struggling a bit under the weight.
It seemed the baby had gained quite a bit of weight recently.
The family of three went out together, Andrew driving while Isabella sat in the back holding the baby.
Throughout the journey, she kept reminding Andrew about William’s preferences countless times, afraid he might make a mistake and upset her uncle.
Andrew’s ears were almost calloused from her incessant reminders. Finally, the car came to a stop in front of a two-story villa.
In the trunk were various sizes of gift boxes, all bought for William.
With one hand carrying the child and the other holding a pile of gift boxes, Andrew walked with a steady pace, although he seemed a bit strained carrying everything, and the child was fidgeting in his arms.
Isabella, on the other hand, walked ahead with both hands empty, swaggering.
“We’re almost there, hang in there. Uncle will be happy to see you, feeling like you’re concerned about me,” she said, cajoling him.
“…,” he had nothing to say.
Isabella stood at the door and pressed the doorbell.
Coming to open the door was William’s stepdaughter, Ella Smith, two years older than Isabella. The Smith family in Schenectady town was also a prestigious family, with Ella’s biological father being a university professor and a renowned painter. When Emma was pregnant, her husband had an affair with one of his female students in the studio, which led to their divorce.
Ella grew up with her mother and had a good relationship with William. However, she was somewhat arrogant and indifferent towards Isabella.
However, Isabella wasn’t concerned about her attitude. After all, they weren’t close.
In the living room on the first floor, William sat on the couch watching TV. When they entered, he didn’t get up, maintaining the airs of an elder.
Isabella went over and sat directly beside William, playfully grabbing one of his arms. “Uncle.”
William turned off the TV, glanced at Andrew, and calmly said, “Since you’re here, take a seat.”
Andrew, holding Asher, sat on the other side of the sofa. Asher nestled in his father’s arms, blinking his big blue eyes, taking in the unfamiliar environment and strangers.
Although William looked serious, elderly people always loved children. He smiled, waving at Asher, “Asher, come here, let grandpa see you, and I’ll give you sweets.”
William grabbed a handful of candies from the fruit bowl to entice the baby.
Asher, seemingly tempted by the sweets, didn’t immediately go over but looked up at his father. Seeing Andrew nod, he then walked over to William, using his little legs.
William stuffed the candy into Asher’s hand, then picked up the baby. “Hmm, quite heavy.”
“Being too chubby, resembling a little pig, I can hardly hold him anymore,” Isabella joked.
“You, girl, you speak so straightforwardly. Where did you learn to call your own child a little pig? Then, what does that make you?” Emma came out of the kitchen, teasingly.
Isabella was taken aback, feeling embarrassed. If Asher was a little pig, then she was- a mother pig.
Sitting nearby, Andrew’s lips curved up. He couldn’t help it; a smile appeared on his face.
Ella, following the maid, set the table. Seeing this scene, she couldn’t help rolling her eyes.
In Ithaca town, no one knew Andrew’s background, but she came from Schenectady town, where they all knew Turner family had an heir. Among Smith family’s unmarried nieces, they were all eyeing Andrew’s wife’s position.
In a town filled with debutantes and wealthy young ladies, Isabella, this little girl, managed to capture Andrew. She was a rising star among the social elite!
“Mom, it’s time for dinner!” Ella shouted somewhat impolitely.
Emma instinctively frowned, feeling her daughter was becoming more and more disobedient, being so impolite in front of guests.
However, in front of outsiders, she didn’t want to argue with Ella. She had to politely invite Isabella and Andrew to dine.
During the meal, Isabella had to attend to the child. Emma helped her feed Asher, but they were so busy with the baby that they couldn’t focus on anything else.
So, Ella was particularly enthusiastic at the dining table. Sometimes she served Andrew food, at other times, she asked him various questions, even sharing amusing stories from her study abroad days, and her enthusiasm made Emma uncomfortable.
Andrew remained indifferent throughout, not even glancing at Ella more than necessary, responding only occasionally to her words out of courtesy.
William was somewhat displeased with Ella’s behavior, but as she was his stepdaughter, he couldn’t reprimand her too severely. Nonetheless, he was quite satisfied with Andrew, a former military man, upright and from a distinguished family, having excellent lineage and upbringing.
After dinner, William called Andrew alone to the study and didn’t come out.
Ella couldn’t interact with Andrew anymore and complained about William several times in her mind, quite dissatisfied as she returned to her room.
Emma and Isabella sat in the living room chatting about motherhood experiences. Isabella listened attentively.
As they conversed, booming rock music suddenly erupted from the room upstairs, scaring Asher, who sought refuge in Isabella’s embrace.
Emma couldn’t help but frown apologetically at Isabella and promptly went upstairs.
Later, Andrew and William emerged from the study, chatting and laughing together.
“You’re impressive, I admit defeat. However, although good at chess, your character isn’t lacking,” William said, patting Andrew’s shoulder with a smile. “This niece of mine has been wilful since childhood. If she’s at fault, you need to tolerate her more.”
“Don’t worry, Isabella is young; I’ll be lenient with her,” Andrew respectfully replied, glancing at Isabella with a faint smile.
Isabella watched them with a bewildered expression. It turns out her uncle called Andrew into the study to play chess. She thought it was to support her, but she was overthinking.
What on earth did Andrew tell her uncle? Her uncle actually said she was wilful and didn’t understand. She suddenly felt that her uncle didn’t love her anymore, that Andrew guy was the real family.
“It’s getting late; you should take the child home soon,” William advised.
“Okay, I’ll go inform Auntie,” Isabella said, stepping onto the hardwood stairs, heading upstairs.
Emma painstakingly prepared a table full of dishes for them. Out of courtesy, Isabella always had to say goodbye to Emma before leaving.
Just as Isabella went upstairs, even before reaching the bedroom, she heard a loud argument from inside. Ella’s voice was piercing, “I just said a few words, why are you making a fuss? Having a child out of wedlock isn’t that shameful. A vice-mayor’s daughter, from a small and humble background, thinks she can marry into the Turner family by relying on baby’s mother…”
“Shut your mouth!” Ella’s words were cut off by Emma in a stern and grand manner, so Isabella could only hear half of it.
Isabella was completely confused by the mention of a vice-mayor’s daughter with a small and humble background. She couldn’t make sense of it and decided to stop thinking about it. Once the argument inside ceased, she walked over and knocked on the door.
Emma’s face showed a flash of panic and embarrassment upon seeing Isabella, while Ella behind her had a disdainful look, seemingly unconcerned whether Isabella had overheard anything. Even though they spoke ill behind her back, Ella felt she hadn’t done anything wrong.
Isabella couldn’t be bothered with them, just politely bid farewell to Emma. Emma politely urged them to come over for a meal whenever they were free.
Then, Isabella, Andrew, and Asher left the house as a family.
Andrew drove again, Isabella sat in the back holding the child. Just as she got in the car, her phone rang.
With one hand holding the child and the other answering the call, it was Lily on the phone, her voice full of schadenfreude.
Turns out, following Isabella’s advice, James sought a lawyer to demand the dowry from the Harris family.
Ever since the bankruptcy of the Brown family, they had been in the media spotlight. So, the news of James’ lawyer coming to demand the dowry spread almost instantly.
Breaking off the engagement due to the male party’s bankruptcy wasn’t unique, but it inevitably left a cold impression. Now, with the added refusal to return the dowry, the Harris family’s reputation and face were completely lost, and David’s image had plummeted. The deputy mayor, greedy for such a small dowry, especially when the other party was in dire straits due to bankruptcy.
This became a topic of gossip in everyday conversation.
When the lawyer arrived, David’s hands trembled as he took the subpoena. After the lawyer left, he even scolded Charlotte and Emily badly.
After being scolded, Charlotte and Emily obediently returned the dowry to the Brown family.
It was such a ridiculous situation. When James begged and negotiated in a humble manner, they refused to return the money, insisting on causing a big scene. After being severely scolded by David, they finally obediently returned the money.
Isabella found it amusing and hung up the phone, still in a great mood.
She had just hung up when her phone rang again, it was a mobile news notification.