Robert realized that it was no longer appropriate to continue discussing Charlotte.
“Brother-in-law, you and my cousin have been together for many years. I hope you can think it over carefully,” he said finally.
David nodded vaguely and eagerly stood up, heading towards the door.
David personally greeted Andrew at the door, his eyes filled with eagerness. “Andrew, you’re here! Please come in, come in.”
Andrew nodded with a warm smile and walked into the villa, surrounded by everyone. As he passed by Isabella, he naturally took her hand.
She instinctively tried to pull away, but the more she struggled, the tighter he held.
Blushing, she had no choice but to let him hold her hand.
Andrew’s late arrival prompted Mrs. Ada to quickly instruct the household staff to serve the meal.
As the food was brought to the table, everyone ushered Andrew into the dining room, where they took their seats.
Once Mrs. Ada sat down, she noticed that Aria hadn’t come down for dinner and asked a servant to call her.
The servant went upstairs and came back down, saying, “Miss Aria said she’s not feeling well and won’t be coming down for dinner.”
Mrs. Ada’s face darkened, and she sighed heavily. “My poor granddaughter, she really has had a hard life. Andrew, you must know many outstanding young men. If there’s anyone suitable, please introduce them to Aria. Even if their conditions are slightly inferior, it’s acceptable.”
Isabella couldn’t help but feel a headache coming on. Mrs. Ada’s idea of ‘slightly inferior’ likely meant not inferior at all. If Mrs. Ada hadn’t insisted on her granddaughter marrying into a wealthy family, Aria wouldn’t be in her current predicament. Unfortunately, she still hadn’t learned her lesson and was still fixated on outstanding young men.
“If I find someone suitable, I’ll let you know,” Andrew responded perfunctorily.
Robert and his wife sat across from them, silently and without expression.
During the meal, David accompanied Andrew with laughter and conversation.
Andrew didn’t say much, mostly patiently listening to David’s flattery.
His attention was on Isabella the entire time. Occasionally, they exchanged glances. When he saw her frown after eating a spicy chicken piece, Andrew considerately handed her a can of lychee drink.
Isabella smiled as she took it and sipped with a beaming smile.
Robert, sitting across from her, felt a mix of emotions-bitterness and sadness-that made him frown.
He remembered offering her the same drink once, and she hadn’t even touched it, claiming her taste had changed.
But when Andrew gave it to her, she drank it like it was nectar.
Robert thought, even if Andrew gave her a poison, she’d probably drink it happily.
After a meal full of awkwardness and tension, it finally ended.
Afterwards, Robert used an excuse to leave with Alice.
As soon as they stepped outside, Alice couldn’t hold back her anger.
“Robert, why did you stop me just now? My cousin said that all those rumors were spread by Isabella to frame her.”
“Telling David wouldn’t necessarily make him believe it, and it might offend Andrew. I don’t want to accompany you in making a fool of yourself,” Robert replied calmly.
But Alice didn’t believe his explanation at all. “Robert, don’t try to fool me. You stopped me to protect the woman you love. Robert, you always defend Isabella and do so much for her. Does she even know? It’s a pity that in Isabella’s eyes, you’ll always be my cousin’s lapdog!”
Harris Family Villa, Study Room.
Andrew sat on the sofa, his gaze leisurely fixed on the tea cup in front of him. David sat down beside him, warmly offering him a cigarette. Andrew took the cigarette between his fingers, accepted the lighter from David, and lit the cigarette nonchalantly, exhaling a thin mist of smoke.
“Uncle, I understand your intentions,” Andrew said evenly.
David had invited him into the study and rambled on for a while. The purpose was clear: he wanted Andrew to help him get through this difficult situation. Despite the scandal, David was still thinking about the election.
Andrew couldn’t help but think that David wasn’t marrying off his daughter but selling her to the highest bidder.
“I have some connections with the investigation team and will resolve this issue as soon as possible. However, the final list of candidates for the election has been confirmed, and your name isn’t on it. I’m afraid there’s nothing I can do about that,” Andrew said.
David was somewhat disappointed, but having Andrew as a son-in-law meant plenty of future opportunities.
“It’s truly a pity this time. Andrew, I will need your support in the future,” David said.
Andrew smiled warmly, though his eyes remained cold. “You’re too kind. Isabella and I are about to get married. From now on, we’ll be family.”
Since Andrew had brought up the marriage, David couldn’t pretend to be oblivious any longer.
“Time really flies. In the blink of an eye, Isabella is getting married,” David said, his eyes reddening, his voice choked with emotion, portraying a loving father reluctant to let go of his daughter.
David stood up and opened a drawer under the large desk. Inside were two household registration books. He quickly glanced at Andrew, who was sipping tea on the sofa and not paying attention. David swiftly flipped through the books, confirmed their contents, and took out one of them before closing the drawer.
David handed the household registration book to Andrew, saying meaningfully, “Andrew, I’m entrusting my daughter to you. You must treat her well.”
“Uncle, please rest assured,” Andrew replied with a forced smile as he accepted the book. Then he stood up from the sofa. “It’s getting late. Isabella and I should head back.”
“Yes, make sure to bring Isabella back to visit often. Her grandmother is getting old and worries about her,” David advised earnestly.
Andrew smiled politely, but his eyes remained indifferent.
David personally escorted him downstairs, where Isabella was already waiting at the staircase.
“Let’s go, we shouldn’t keep Mrs. Ada and Mr. David up,” Andrew said, looking at her gently.
Isabella nodded obediently, taking his arm. She said to David, “Dad, Andrew and I are leaving now.”
“Alright, drive safely,” Mrs. Ada and David said as they saw them off to the car, watching it drive away.
Isabella sat in the passenger seat, her hand resting on the window, watching Mrs. Ada and David shrink to two tiny dots in the rearview mirror. She mockingly remarked, “Every time I come back with you, my status rises dramatically.”
“Your Harris family always judges people by their status,” Andrew said, his tone casual as he turned the steering wheel.
Isabella shrugged, expressing her helplessness. After all, her background wasn’t something she could choose.
“What about the household registration book? Did you get it?” she asked.
Andrew with one hand on the steering wheel, handed her the household registration book with the other.