"I never expected such a gut thought to turn out correct. I only suspected him after you mentioned it." Astrid said to Lewis as she leaned on him as they walked.
"Well... It was only a fleeting thought, having Brad out in Russia certainly helped the suspicion." Lewis couldn't accept any credit for finding one of Jukovic's men, especially when he barely did anything.
"Mmm, but still. He must be desperate to have such a weak man next to Mr. Bagna, how could such a man be a general? They must all be carpet for him to walk on." Astrid didn't understand, why all his men were fools? How did her family fall to them?
Lewis didn't want to admit it to her, but it seemed that her family must have been either too conservative around the Yuke's, or they were even more foolish than them. But either way, they knew that their days were numbered.
"Anyway, I feel that this banquet has been quite interesting right? Isn't the next room my grandfather's?" Lewis laughed, everything Astrid had done today had blown away anyone to witness it.
Astrid nodded. "Well, me and my dad tricked him, while you said you would introduce your girlfriend to him... He seemed to like me last time, so it will be fine." Astrid wasn't worried, especially when she was already offered to be a contractual bride to Lewis beforehand...
.......
"You! Sit down here!" As soon as they opened the door, a fuming Grandfather Guilliano shouted at Lewis.
Astrid smiled. Of course it would be fine for her, probably not for Lewis.
Also in the room were Mrs. Tuhs, Mr. Tuhs, and also Veronica. They were sitting having tea with Mrs. Guilliano, so Astrid decided to join them.
Seeing his grandfather's anger and Astrid's nonchalance, Lewis went along and sat down opposite his grandfather. It seemed him being tricked meant he was going to be getting the brunt of the talking.
"Astrid dear... I don't know if I'm surprised or not, but it certainly does make me happy." Mrs. Guilliano said as she served Astrid tea.
"Well... I was the woman that Lewis brought home last time, it might have been mentioned." Astrid calmly mentioned, making Mr. Tuhs cough loudly.
"Ah, I see... But with your family situation, before it was a matter of you marrying into us. But since you family holds much more power than ours then it is the opposite. We aren't particularly worried about that, but some of the smaller branch members of the family that still cling on to our name will surely be abusing that." Mrs. Guilliano spoke with a guilty tone.
Veronica smiled. "That is all but trivial, we only have the family members plus one before your eyes. And I wouldn't underestimate your son, nor your future daughter-in-law." Veronica emphasized the final part of the sentence and looked at Astrid.
Astrid shrugged. She would leave it to Lewis for that matter. Anyways, she mainly said all that to have a more solid relationship in the eyes of the public...
"Mm, since we will be family in the future. I guess we should introduce the final member of our family to you." Mr. Tuhs said with a gentle smile. It was clear he was ecstatic with today, his daughter being married!? Wasn't it a dream for every father?
Mrs. Guilliano excitedly nodded. "Oh? I guess we can't miss this. This banquet had been quite an experience for my old heart anyway, so I shall be leaving early." Old Master Guilliano cut in the conversation after having a quiet conversation with Lewis.
Lewis seemed quite unaffected by the conversation, so it couldn't have been major. And Astrid decided to not even try to eavesdrop, she trusted him.
"Sure, the purpose of this banquet has been met anyway, I'll call Winoa quickly." Astrid said as she sent over a message.
Astrid got a response back quickly, but her facial expression shifted momentarily, before putting her hand over her mouth and chuckling lightly.
"What a joke, is this all this world has to offer?" Astrid then stood up and smiled.
"Alright, the cars are ready whenever you are." She said, making the tired elders nod in response.
.......
The banquet was taken over by Winoa and the trusted associates. While the Guilliano and Tuhs family were sent home.
Lewis had prepared the vehicle and driver to send them all to the Tuhs house together. It was perfect comfort for the older family members and also gave them time to talk to each other.
"Knowing you were together for a while now puts me at ease, I thought my grandson would need a contractual marriage and wouldn't have a happy family life... So I must thank you in seeing the good inside him." Elder Guilliano said softly, now he wouldn't need to worry about anything anymore. For now he knew some more about their relationship from his talk with Lewis.
Astrid smiled and nodded. "No... Lewis managed to see the good in me. That is the best I can ask for." Astrid responded softly, if they never did meet. Then how mad would she be? Her life would be meaningless. Right now, all she is waiting for, is being able to give birth to his children.
Lewis didn't say anything in response, he knew what was going through Astrid's head. And they could only wait.
The ride back was full of warmth and merriness. Now that the two families can be officially combined, it was only a matter of time for the two people involved to make it official to the world.