The dining table was filled with lavish dishes, especially since Cordelia had planned to invite Sylvia over, the preparations were even more sumptuous.The five of them sat together at the table with about thirty different dishes served. It was Sylvia's first time having dinner with Aldor's boss, and she was very reserved. She was afraid to speak and even move, fearing that she might bring trouble to her son.Aldor gave Sylvia a set of utensils and said in a low voice, "Mom, relax yourself. Mrs. Kane Sr. is a very easy-going person."Sylvia nodded but only ate the few dishes placed right in front of her.Cordelia saw it and asked with a smile, "Sylvia, among all the dishes, do you only like the ones in front of you?"Sylvia was taken aback, and she shook her head. "N-No. They're all delicious.""Have some of them then," Cordelia said warmly before turning to Aldor, "Aldor, please help your mother with it. We must eat well and be happy on this joyous day."Aldor nodded and placed
Aldor spoke in a firm tone, laced with a hint of sarcasm, not too loud but clear enough.Aurora was taken aback. She had always seen Aldor as someone who rarely lost his cool.He had always been the epitome of politeness at work, even when Aurora, in a fit of anger, had once scornfully called him the Kane family's lapdog. Aldor never snapped back.She had little regard for people like Aldor, who, in her eyes, would bend over backward to please their superiors.Not long ago, when she was relegated to a lower-tier department, her confrontations with Aldor, both overt and covert, had been frequent. Keegan, their boss, had tasked Aldor with supervising her.Aldor always seemed to assign her more challenging tasks than others. Whenever she submitted a report, he would scrutinize her work far more than anyone else's. His criticisms were sharp. "How is this data analysis? Where's your month-to-month, year-to-year comparison?""The title is catchy, but the content? It's incomprehensible.
That person chuckled. "Just wait for my good news."...Word by word, the insults reached her ears. Aurora, who was always arrogant and domineering, fled upon hearing those gossip about her in the private room that day.She no longer attended those social gatherings or afternoon tears where socialites would flaunt their wealth. Instead, she spent time with Cordelia, listening every day to stories of Keegan's childhood.People could be strange sometimes. They could hate each other to the bones when arguing, but once things calmed down, all the feelings would subside. When she heard about those stories about Keegan, she could not help but think to herself. 'How did I and Keegan end up like this?'Is it purely because of Stella?'She still remembered the day when Keegan got her locked up. She scolded Keegan for being blind and bewitched by Stella, who enticed him to turn his back on her.At that time, Keegan looked at her with an extremely disappointed look and asked her, "You used
Aldor, feeling a mix of sadness and understanding for Sylvia, had his suspicions about why Cordelia insisted on their dinner attendance.He deduced that his earlier rejection of Cordelia's marriage proposal might have prompted her to arrange this impromptu "blind date" with Aurora. Cordelia had been vague, mentioning only that their presence would make the dinner more joyful.Sylvia, visibly worried about Aldor's job security, masked her discomfort with a forced smile. This deepened Aldor's sadness, and he couldn't help but cast a colder gaze toward Aurora.Aurora shivered slightly, sensing the tension. She realized that her past arrogance might have led Aldor to believe she was deliberately trying to embarrass Sylvia.But that wasn't her intention.Apologizing wasn't Aurora's strong suit. She nervously offered Sylvia some buffalo wings, her voice wavering, "Mrs. Hart, I... I think your gray hair might be genetic. My aunt, who's only in her forties, has lots of gray hair too, and
Keegan went upstairs with his phone.Left alone, Aldor asked Aurora, "Ms. Kane, what are your feelings toward me?"Aurora was confused. "What are you talking about?" His question caught her off guard."Feelings between a man and a woman," he clarified.Aurora, her cheeks reddening, denied, "Are you out of your mind? I have no feelings for you!"Inwardly, she wondered, 'Does he think I'm interested in him just because I'm not fighting with him anymore?'Aldor, appearing relieved, advised, "Good. If Mrs. Kane Sr. asks, tell her the same."Aurora, puzzled, questioned, "What's this got to do with Grandma?"Aldor explained, "Mrs. Kane Sr. is trying to set us up. Didn't you notice?"Aurora, initially shocked, protested, "That's impossible!"Aldor remained quiet and looked at her quietly.Aurora calmed down and thought about when Cordelia asked her about what happened at work, she would sound more enthusiastic when Aldor's name was mentioned.Reflecting on Cordelia's praise for Al
The room was filled with an air of tension.Thankfully, Cordelia eased the atmosphere, agreeing with Sylvia's views on work-life balance. "You're right. Work is important, but it's not everything. What's the point of earning so much if we can't enjoy life?"Sylvia breathed a sigh of relief. "Exactly."Then, Cordelia shifted the conversation toward Aurora. "Sylvia, what do you think about my granddaughter?"Sylvia, with genuine admiration, replied, "Ms. Kane is absolutely stunning, like someone out of a TV show. And her personality is just as impressive. She's very respectful and obedient toward you."Cordelia, with a hint of mischief, asked, "And what about the idea of her and Aldor together?"Sylvia was taken aback. "A-Aldor?"Cordelia clarified, "Yes, Aldor."The idea of her son and the wealthy heiress becoming a couple initially overwhelmed Sylvia. It took her a moment to process.Cordelia did not just invite her over for a chat, but to discuss a potential match between Aur
Cordelia announced confidently, "Sylvia, let's plan a marriage for Aldor and Aurora two weeks later. With Aldor as my official grandson-in-law, there'll be no gossip about him being around."Sylvia was a bit taken aback by how fast things were moving.Aldor and Aurora, meanwhile, were completely bewildered by this turn of events.Aurora, in particular, was regretting not heeding Aldor's earlier advice.Despite her reservations, Cordelia was evidently thrilled. Aurora, not wanting to admit she was just reacting to Aldor's earlier trick, hesitantly said, "Grandma, there's no need to rush things. I'm still quite young.""You might be, but Aldor isn't. Besides, an engagement will put an end to any idle talk," Cordelia insisted firmly, mindful of the societal implications of their class differences.Aurora was dumbfounded, wishing she could rewind time and avoid this situation.She looked desperately at Aldor, silently urging him to object.Aldor met her gaze and spoke up, "Mrs. Kan
Aldor and Aurora were equally perplexed, unable to understand Keegan's anger.Aurora, realizing the predicament Cordelia had put her in with Aldor, turned to her brother Keegan for support. She cautiously said, "Keegan, Grandma wants me to get engaged to Aldor."Keegan took a moment, glanced at Aldor, and dryly commented, "Marrying my sister doesn't mean a pay raise."Their speechlessness reflected their surprise at his response.Aurora couldn't believe it. She pressed, "Is that all you're going to say?"Keegan pondered, then added, "Once you make this choice, there's no going back."Aurora's hopes sank. She had expected Keegan to be vehemently against the idea. 'How can he be okay with his subordinate marrying his sister? We're from different worlds, and I've been nothing but harsh to Aldor! Has Keegan lost his mind?'Trying to reason with her brother, Aurora pointed out, "Look at us, Keegan. Do you really think Aldor and I are a good match?"Keegan's indifferent reply caught