Richie looked at his grandfather with an annoyed look, but at the same time, he also felt a deep longing. "I'm sorry, Grandpa. You're the one who wanted me to go back to Milan; can't you be more gentle with me?" his voice was soft, trying to penetrate the hardness of his grandfather's heart as he felt hurt by his foolish actions. However, despite his resentment, Richie couldn't deny that he missed his grandfather.Andriano Del Vecchio, the family patriarch who was usually stern and unwavering, had a glimmer of tenderness in his eyes this time. As Richie approached and hugged him, Andriano was surprised but immediately returned the hug tightly. Tears of sadness and relief mixed, seeping from those old eyes as they were both lost in a profoundly emotional moment.After what seemed like an eternity, Andriano broke the embrace. The older man looked at Richie with a loving expression, like looking back at the little boy who used to run around the mansion, seeking his grandfather's embrac
"Sevariano, ANSWER!" Mr. Andriano's voice boomed again, making Sharlynn's nerves instantly shrink. However, she didn't know what was going on. Richie had never told her his true identity. She could only guess that Mr. Andriano was the man's grandfather. Richie exhaled roughly, "What do I have to explain again, Grandpa? You already know," Richie replied as he stared at his grandfather, but in his heart, he cursed Dante. His brain went straight to suspecting the personal assistant who had leaked all his secrets. Andriano Del Vecchio nodded in understanding, "Oh, so you admit that Sharlynn is your wife? And you intend to leave her at the airport?" Richie was still staring at his grandfather as if he was confirming Andriano's words, even without any answer. Sharlynn found Richie's gaze so cold on her, suddenly freezing. "Sir, we're not compatible; that's why we're choosing to end the marriage immediately," Sharlynn said tremblingly, looking at her grandfather with a tight smile. And
Sharlynn felt confused as Richie grabbed her arm firmly and pulled her out of the main room. Her mind in turmoil, she tried to make sense of what was happening. In the midst of her confusion, one of the servants suddenly informed her that Richie's room, the young master, was neat and ready. In fact, it was always tidied every day, even though Richie hadn't been in the house for years. The great master Andriano, behind his stern and strict figure, was still very fond of his grandson. "Why did Richie pick me up like this?" asked Sharlynn silently, feeling curious and a little scared. "Richie, explain to me. What is this all about?" urged Sharlynn with an indecisive face.Richie, without answering her question, pushed Sharlynn into the room while holding back the anger on his face. Sharlynn was stunned, looking around the luxurious and spacious room that resembled a room in a palace, which was filled with mosaic paintings and Baroque-era decorations. 'Is this room the reason why Ri
The sound of the door opening made Sharlynn instantly open her eyes. She blinked a few times to adjust to the surrounding light. The ceiling filled with baroque style paintings made her almost forget that she was in Richie's room. "Get ready, I'm going to take you outside the mansion." Someone's baritone voice made Sharlynn turn her head and see Richie stepping into the room. The woman only realized she had fallen asleep when she felt tired all over her body. She jumped up and sat on the edge of the bed. Sharlynn still had no reaction other than just staring at Richie. She seemed to be still unfamiliar with her surroundings. "Are you tired?" asked the man who stood towering over Sharlynn. "I'm already much more refreshed. I'll be ready soon." Sharlynn moved from the edge of the bed, her hazel eyes darting around, it turned out that the man's private room was larger than her room, twice the size of the rooms in the Eisenhauer family mansion. "The bathroom is over there." Sharlynn
After a lunch full of heavy conversation with Andriano's grandfather, Richie took Sharlynn out of the mansion. It was quiet in the car, with only the sound of the engine breaking the silence. Sharlynn, who seemed to be lost in her thoughts, occasionally looked at the view of Milan through the side glass of the car. The distinctive old buildings and the streets filled with people passing by made her momentarily forget about the situation.Richie noticed Sharlynn's silence, finally breaking the silence. "Where do you want to go?" he asked, his voice soft, trying to break the ice.Sharlynn was surprised by the question. She turned her head, looking at Richie with an incredulous expression. This might be her first and last chance, she thought. "I want to go to the Duomo in Milano," she replied without hesitation.Richie nodded as if the request was perfectly natural to him. "Alright, Duomo di Milano."A few minutes later, they arrived in front of the magnificent cathedral, a historical
In the Civil Registry Office courtyard, the atmosphere was quiet, attended only by a few members of Andriano's grandfather's extended family. It was quite a contrast to the important moment that was taking place. Among them was a young man who didn't seem to like the wedding very much, especially not Sharlynn. His sardonic gaze, as if to convey an unspoken message, made the atmosphere a little tense.Sharlynn noticed the look, tried to remain calm and reminded herself of her promise not to give up easily. "I didn't see Dante coming. Does he still remember his young master?" asked Richie in a half-joking tone.Grandpa Andriano, with a smile, pointed at a black car that had just arrived. "That's him," he said with a chuckle.Richie frowned, immediately realizing that the figure he had been waiting for. Dante had arrived, albeit with a slight delay. Dante hurriedly approached them, a look of regret on his face. "Sorry I'm late," he said, almost breathless.When Dante noticed Sharlyn
Grandpa Andriano banged his cane on the table. Creating quite a shocking thumping sound. "Cut the crap! You should disperse and go home if you can't appreciate Richie and Sharlynn's happy day!" The DeVille family matriarch's stern and domineering tone was enough to make their guts shrink. Finally, the banquet went smoothly without anyone daring to bother Sharlynn anymore.The tension in the air suddenly dissipated with the crack of Grandpa Andriano's cane.Everyone's eyes immediately fell on him; some faces looked surprised, while others looked down, feeling guilty. The air seemed to tremble under the unrivaled authority of the DeVille patriarch."You should all be ashamed," Grandfather Andriano continued in a firm, calm voice. "This day is about Richie and Sharlynn, about our family welcoming new members with open hearts, not about creating divisions or demeaning anyone."Grandpa Andriano looked at Sharlynn, gazing at her with a gaze full of warmth. "Sharlynn, don't ever feel alone
Meanwhile, the commotion outside the mansion gates did not affect the warmth of Sharlynn and Grandpa Andriano's conversation. Nothing was covered up; Sharlynn briefly recounted how she came to marry Richie back in Berlin; she didn't even know the man's true identity. "What kind of father treats his daughter like this!" Grandpa Andriano's voice sounded stressed and angry as he banged the tip of his cane on the floor. "You have nothing to worry about, my granddaughter. You are already part of the DeVille family. Only children born from your womb will I recognize as Richie's children. Not those born from other women, let alone those with no ties to the DeVille family whatsoever!" Richie seemed to turn away from looking at Sharlynn while smiling wryly. He still thought that she was trying to get his grandfather's attention. The reluctance building up suddenly collapsed, and she assumed that she was no different from any other woman. "Born of any woman, if that child is truly my flesh