Everyone sat at the dining table, with Grandma Wendie and Grandpa Cian occupying the prominent big chairs at the head of the table.
On Grandpa Cian's side, Remy sat, while Marvin sat on Grandma Wendie's side. Their spouses and children were seated beside them.
Grandpa Jae, their father, and Grandma Wendie's husband completed the family gathering.
Verena sat quietly beside Louis at the far end of the table, unfortunately positioned directly in front of Alexander.
With the family now larger, space at the table had become limited, leaving Alexander to manage on their side.
Verena, lost in her thoughts, couldn't help but feel Alexander's gaze on her.
"Bon appétit, everyone," Grandpa Cian declared, prompting everyone to start uncovering the dishes and filling their plates.
Verena reached for a dish lid, but her hand suddenly paused as Alexander's hand intercepted hers. He indicated sweetly, "You take it."
Initially, Verena was about to decline and suggest that he take it first, but then she remembered that he wasn't just her brother-in-law; he was also her husband's enemy.
Without a word of gratitude, she removed the lid and filled her bowl with soup.
A sudden idea crossed her mind, and she smiled at Louis, asking, "What would you like to eat, hubby?"
Alexander watched them closely, noticing how Louis drew nearer and lovingly kissed her cheek. It reminded him that they were a couple, and now they were putting on a show.
He looked away, taking another dish. Verena blushed at the kiss, never expecting Louis to be so affectionate, especially after their little act had begun.
She smiled at him and turned towards the table, where almost everyone was watching them intently while chewing.
Seems like everyone is interested in us. Verena thought to herself.
"You didn't tell me what you'd like to eat," she said to Louis.
"My wife is having soup, so I'll have that too," Louis replied, causing Verena to nearly choke in disbelief.
She smiled and poured soup into his bowl as well. Alexander clenched his teeth, irritated by her rudeness. She hadn't even told him she had done it or offered an apology with a sweet smile.
Regardless of his anger, Alexander couldn't deny that Louis had won the company and had a beautiful wife with sharp features who exuded an air of innocence.
"When are you two getting married?" Grandpa Jae asked Louis.
"We've already set a date, Grandpa Jae." Louis replied with a grin, causing Alexander's annoyance to intensify.
"Since when did this happen? And who decided the date without consulting anyone here? Have you both become so audacious?" Olivia remarked, seizing the opportunity to make things unpleasant.
"We chose the date ourselves, Olivia," Grandma Wendie informed her firmly, noticing the shocked expression on Olivia's face. Though she was inwardly pleased, Grandma Wendie maintained a stern facade.
"You should have thought twice before asking, as the elders of this family determine how things are done properly."
"But, Grandma Wendie, he didn't choose a girl you liked. Instead, he went against your wishes and chose a girl with a questionable past."
"We'll see, Olivia, when it's your son's turn. We'll see..."
"Of course, he knows how to obey his mother. Unlike someone," Olivia retorted.
"For your information, my stepmother, I did ask for Mother's permission before proposing to her." Louis replied with a defiant tone.
"Haha, and you didn't even bother asking your father's permission. I mean... it's okay if you don't see me as your mother, but Remy is still your father. Or have you already forgotten about him?"
Silence descended upon the table as Alexander relished every moment of this verbal exchange. He had initially wanted to say more than he had planned, but his mother had instructed him not to create any problems.
She would handle everything. Perhaps, after encountering her, Verena would reconsider marrying into this family.
Olivia continued to insult her by bringing up her past, hoping to make her understand what she might face if she married into their family.
Louis remained silent, maintaining his composure as he exchanged a knowing glance with Verena. They had anticipated resistance from certain family members and were prepared for it.
Verena, for her part, continued to eat slowly and gracefully, as she had been taught, all the while aware of the unspoken judgements in the room.
No one at the table commented on her appearance or her impeccable manners, but Olivia seemed compelled to bring up Verena's past repeatedly.
It was a frustrating reminder that not everyone in the family was ready to accept her as an equal and that their journey together might be more challenging than they had initially thought.
Nevertheless, Louis and Verena were determined to face these challenges head-on and prove their commitment to each other and the family.
Rosie watched the escalating tension in the room with growing concern. She couldn't fathom why this once happy dinner had taken such a sour turn. Fear gnawed at her, worrying about the consequences of this heated exchange.
Her gaze drifted to Grandpa Cian, a figure of authority and wisdom in her eyes. To her surprise, he had set aside his food and was observing Verena with a calm, measured expression. Rosie couldn't help but wonder if Grandpa Cian shared similar reservations about Verena as her mother did.
Rosie had already grown fond of Verena, finding her warm and caring. She felt closer to Louis than to her own brother, Alexander, and had always been a staunch supporter of Louis's decisions.
Just as the tension in the room seemed unbearable, Remy finally spoke up, his words cutting through the silence and earning stern glares from everyone at the table.
Rosie had to admire his courage to voice his concerns openly, though she feared it would only add fuel to the fire.
"Olivia is right, Louis. You've never considered my feelings," Remy declared, his words carrying a sharp edge. His comment hung heavily in the air, casting a shadow over the already strained atmosphere.
Marvin, sitting beside Eisley, had been discreetly restraining her from making any remarks. He didn't want to be dragged into this escalating conflict.
He, too, had noticed the unexpected change in Grandpa Cian's demeanour, and it left him with a sense of foreboding about what might come next at this family gathering.
Grandpa Cian's booming voice silenced the room, and the tension hung thick in the air as soup scattered from the dishes, untouched by the maid who dared not move in the presence of such anger.
"I thought I had settled this matter long ago," Grandpa Cian continued, his face etched with disappointment. "I assumed my children had understood my stance, but here we are, rehashing the same arguments!"
Remy, realising the gravity of the situation, spoke up with a heartfelt apology. "Father, we are deeply sorry for causing this turmoil."
Olivia, on the other hand, couldn't bring herself to apologise or even meet her father-in-law's stern gaze. She looked away, avoiding eye contact.
Grandpa Cian's patience had worn thin. He abruptly stood up, and the rest of the family followed suit, standing in solemn silence.
His piercing gaze surveyed each of them, conveying his disappointment and frustration.
"This dinner has been utterly ruined by you!" Grandpa Cian exclaimed, pointing an accusatory finger at Olivia, whose body trembled under his intense scrutiny.
"You have poisoned my food!" he declared in anger, his voice filled with a mix of hurt and fury.
Without another word, he turned and stormed out of the dining hall, leaving behind a room full of shocked and remorseful family members.
Grandma Wendie, equally disheartened by the turn of events, turned to Olivia and Remy, her voice filled with disappointment.
"You both must be very pleased with yourselves for ruining what should have been a pleasant family dinner together." With that, she too left the room, leaving the family to contemplate the consequences of their actions.
Verena took a deep, shaky breath as she settled back into her chair. The unexpected turn of events had left her feeling overwhelmed and shaken. She couldn't help but marvel at how jealousy had unraveled what should have been a peaceful family dinner.
Louis, concerned for her well-being, asked softly, "Are you alright?"
Verena nodded slowly, her voice trembling slightly as she replied, "Mm."
Louis fetched a glass of water and placed it in front of Verena. She took a sip, the cool liquid providing some relief from the tension that had built up during the meal. Just as she was starting to calm down, the interruption came.
"Young Master Louis and Young Miss Verena, Mr. Cian wishes to speak with you in his room," Ajax announced.
Verena's heart skipped a beat at the thought of facing Mr. Cian, a man she held both reverence and fear for.
She couldn't help but wonder about the strength hidden in his seemingly frail hands—the same hands that could wield so much power.
Louis acknowledged Ajax's message with a nod, and the two of them left the dining room, leaving Verena with a sense of trepidation about what awaited them.
As they exited, Eisley couldn't resist a parting shot. "Bravo!" she remarked with a mocking tone, followed by a laugh, before making her exit.
She was accompanied by Grandpa Jae and her husband to check on her children, leaving behind a family deeply divided and uncertain about what the future held.
"You have gone far this time, Olivia." Remy's stern words hung in the air as he exited the hall, leaving Olivia to face the consequences of her actions.
Olivia's gaze then shifted to Rosie, her daughter, who had been observing the chaos silently. "Do you have something to say as well?" Olivia asked, her voice laced with bitterness.
"I don't want to speak with you, Mother," Rosie replied firmly, her voice reflecting her own disappointment and frustration. With that, she, too, left the room, joining the others in their absence.
Olivia's attention then turned to her son, Alexander, who had remained in the hall. Her eyes, reddened from the emotional turmoil, met his.
Alexander stepped forward, patting his mother's back in a show of support. "You have no idea how much I enjoy the drama," he admitted with a mischievous smile. "You're the best at being the best mother."
Olivia's mood shifted slightly, her momentary pleasure at her son's praise giving her a glimmer of satisfaction.
"Oh, thank God someone praised me," she responded, her voice tinged with a mix of relief and self-assurance, despite the turmoil that had unfolded during the family dinner.