Alliana pierced and cut the steak with sinister eyes.
Ugh, if she had known that this would result in a family luncheon, then she would never call her mother.
She only wanted to make her mother feel guilty and run here to the mansion at full speed so that she would leave that man for her daughters!
She never thought that her mother would also bring the man over despite knowing that she, Alliana, did not approve yet.
Their mother, Annie, nodded.
"You are right. This is all thanks to Alliana that we are gathered like this. Alliana, thank you for bringing us together. You made your mother truly happy today." Annie turned to her eldest daughter with a vibrant smile, oblivious to the fact that the latter seemed like she was swallowing a fly.
Alliana: ^_^ ╬
The delicious food on the table did not make her mood turn better.
During the meal, Annie Chu was like a sales lady advertising the man in every opportunity she could get.
Her mother kept shoving George Tan's super amazing capabilities in every aspect to their faces.
"George wrote a few books before. I am sure that Ariana will learn a lot from you." Annie was brandishing George like a flag to her daughters x5.
George chuckled embarrassedly. "I am no good compared to a professional, Annie. I must say, I am the one who should be learning from your capable daughter." He curiously asked Ariana, not minding the unusual appearance of the young woman wearing a hat on the dining table. "What kind of books do you usually write, Ariana?"
George heard from Annie before that Ariana wrote books as her formal occupation, but he did not know which genre.
If he had the chance, he would like to read her works.
Ariana's hand that was about to slice the steak halted. She calmly looked straight at the man from beneath her hat.
"Rated-18 books, mainly smut and lots of sex scenes. Are you sure you still want to learn from me?"
The people at the table settled into a sudden awkward silence.
The ignored boy who was eating quietly on one side almost choked.
"Pfft..." Alliana laughed uncontrollably. She inwardly gave Ariana a thumbs-up sign.
Good job sister!
Alliana amusedly tilted her head to the dumbfounded man.
"What? I think my sister's chosen genre is amazing. Not everyone can write something like that. However, based on your age, you must be very experienced. I think you can write something like that really well. Or perhaps, you have written something similar already?"
George Tan coughed.
The topic was really… not appropriate to discuss while dining.
"Ahem. Not yet. However, I also think that she is admirable."
Alliana's smile turned wider. "Really? It seems that you are interested in reading these kinds of books. Can you recommend some to me?"
George Tan was speechless.
Alliana: "You can't think of anything? Or perhaps you are lying?"
Annie looked worriedly at George and Alliana. "Alliana, let's be nice…"
Alliana stared at the man calmly, her eyes taunting.
George Tan could see the mockery in Alliana's eyes.
As Annie had said to him before, her eldest daughter was truly mischievous and liked to make trouble. For this situation, George Tan was full of patience.
He smiled.
His smile was like that of an elder smiling to a child, full of understanding.
"To be honest, I have not ventured into that genre. My works before are all about business management and economic strategies. They are not as creative as your sister's. This is why I admire people who have many imaginative ideas such as Ariana."
Ariana stared at George Tan silently. She was studying if the man was lying. But by the looks of it, his eyes were really sincere.
How surprising.
There were people in their circle who came to know Ariana's works. Once they learned of it, they mocked her for being vulgar despite having the Chu surname.
Ariana received many criticisms and scorns in her career. Though she minded them a lot, she still pursued her passion for writing. It was because she cared about what her readers said the most.
But she could not find any mockery or disgust from the man's eyes.
Ariana looked down. She continued to eat while thinking deeply.
On the other hand, Alliana felt as if she just punched cotton. However, her villainess personality was not easy to give up. She was intent on finding something to crush the man.
She had to make this man give up in order to avoid her mother getting hurt even more, and also to save his life.
Alliana drank a bit of water, put down the glass, and spoke coldly.
"I heard that you were married before. I also heard stories of how you tried to save your sick wife in every way. It was very touching. People of your age even called your undying love for your ex-wife the love of the century. But not even a third of a century has passed, yet you are ready to throw away your love for your dead wife?"
The table was suddenly filled with deathly silence.
*****