Christina sat in her seat, nervously picking at her nails. The people in front of her stared at her as if she were the main course, not the food on the table. When Reylan had mentioned family, she had expected to meet people like him, but these individuals were far more eccentric.
One of them was a distinguished man in his mid-thirties, introduced as Viktor Blackwood, their elder brother. His red hair, tied back and matching his eye contacts, seemed natural, not a hint of dye in sight, amusing Christina.
But it quickly vanished when the rude man corrected how he wasn't their real brother, as Blaze and Reylan were adopted by their grandfather and didn't belong to this family by blood. Though it stunned Christina, she could clearly sense the hatred between them.
Another person was a beautiful woman in her early fifties, Cassandra Blackwood, their paternal aunt. Cassandra didn't look her age. There was a strangely seductive allure to her elegant appearance, but the animosity in her gold eyes, which strangely matched the mix of gray strands in her dark hair, made Christina unease.
It seemed Reylan wasn't exaggerating when he said their family was only a family on paper. It appeared that rich people indeed valued relationships only in business.
"Is there anyone else coming?" Christina whispered to Blaze, sitting beside her. Her voice was clear to all the vampires at the table.
"Some aren't interested in attending as they've already received their shares, while a few will greet you at the wedding," Blaze answered. She nodded and returned to her seat.
This family was connected not through blood but by business. His grandfather had gathered all the vampires he liked during his life and grouped them as a family to stand together in times of danger. Though it had worked well a few centuries ago, now everyone cared more about what he had to offer than what they could do for him. This legacy of their vampire family made Blaze sigh, leaving his retired old man with many regrets and pain.
"How diligent of you all to come on time," a voice boomed, making everyone stand. The staff closed the large doors of the room as he walked toward the lavish round dining table, Darren closely following him.
"We were eager to meet your guest, Grandpa," Viktor was the first to greet, his eyes shifting from Christina to Theodore.
"Meet her or add her to your meal list?" Theodore's words confused Christina, but she acknowledged him with a small bow as he smiled at her.
Everyone returned to their seats as Theodore took his, with Reylan on his right and Viktor to his left. The servants quickly began to serve meals set according to human preferences, as they had been informed that today's guest was a veil-walker and they needed to be careful in serving drinks.
"How is your mother doing, Christina?" Theodore asked, his voice as cold as his appearance. This was the first time he had addressed her by name, and Christina couldn't help but feel tense.
"She is slowly responding, sir," she replied, accepting a napkin from Reylan.
"Oh, stop calling me sir. We are a family now, and you should address me as Grandpa Theo, like everyone else," Theodore grumbled, eager to hear her use the familial term.
"Look at you, forcing another stranger into our family," Cassandra sneered, earning a stern glare from her father.
"When my own have become deranged dogs, I need to bring someone sane into my family," Theodore retorted, leaving Christina wide-eyed. This family was as dysfunctional as her old scooter!
"There's a thin line between understanding someone as sane and insane. I hope you didn't make a wrong decision again, Grandpa," Viktor said, his gaze shifting from Christina to Reylan. Christina couldn't help but wonder why he was staring at them as if he knew some secret as she slowly sipped her drink.
"It's better than his decision to keep you in the family, Viktor." Reylan shot back, joining the heated exchange. Blaze and Christina simply enjoyed their food amidst the verbal sparring.
Viktor's smile didn't fade at Reylan's retort. He nodded, half amused sipping his drink. As if something had struck him, he set down his glass and piqued again, "Oh, wait! Did you fall in love just because she resembles her, my dear brother? That shouldn't be the case."
Theodore sighed as his grandson stirred up trouble again, trying to cause tension between the couple. Before he could intervene, Christina spoke up, surprising everyone.
"Even if he did, I don't mind. I'm glad if that's what brought us close," she said confidently, smiling at Reylan. Theodore couldn't help but smile and appreciate her even more.
"Oh really?" Viktor mused, leaning forward. His sinister smile didn't fade as he continued, "And I assume that must also be the reason you signed this contract marriage deal."
The room fell into stunned silence, the fork in Blaze's hand clattering to the floor. Sensing the tension, Darren quickly signaled the jazz orchestra to stop playing and leave the room.
Theodore, who had been happy until now despite the silent arguments, set down his wine glass. His cold eyes moved from Viktor to a stunned Christina, and finally to his grandson.
Reylan sighed and set down his glass. He had tried his best to keep this secret until the wedding, but his brother had ruined his plans, as always.
"Is it true?" Theodore asked, his voice icy.
"No, sir! I don't know where he got such stupid rumors, but—" Christina began, but Reylan cut her off.
"Yes," he admitted, deciding it was better to reveal the secret now than later.
"Blaze, escort Christina outside. Darren will arrange dinner for you both by the swimming pool," Theodore commanded. Blaze quickly rose, guiding Christina out with Darren trailing closely behind.
Christina couldn't help but cast a worried glance at Reylan. Now that she had met his family, it was clear that none of them liked him, except for Blaze. They all seemed intent on bringing him down and she felt a pang of fear. If this contract got canceled, how could she save her mother?
As soon as the human left the room, Cassandra slammed her glass down with a scoff. "You thought you had brought a puppy off the streets, but look at the devil he has turned into. He's worse than us, going to the point of cheating just to snatch away your seat."
Viktor remained silent, leaning back to enjoy the show as his aunt's words did all the work he wanted for this dinner.
"Dad, aren't you going to say something?" Cassandra grumbled, turning to Theodore who had been awfully silent. If she had committed such a sin of faking a connection with a human, he would have turned this table upside down.
"Is it because of the seat or to test if she is the one?" Theodore asked, his eyes fixed on Reylan. He was aware of how Reylan had to keep Christina close and form a physical connection with her to know if she was their precious one from the past. And only marriage, even if it was fake, seemed like a perfect way.
"It's the latter," Reylan calmly replied. Shifting his gaze to his brother and aunt, he continued, "It's quite clear whom you would give your seat to, so I won't waste my time on it."
Viktor scoffed, angered by his words. He was lying through his teeth, but his grandfather couldn't see through his arrogance. Something he had always despised about this adopted brother.
After a minute of silence, Theodore nodded. "Then I am not against the marriage. As long as you can confirm and bring her into this family, I don't mind."
His words left Cassandra and Viktor shocked. Reylan smiled, knowing he had won another battle against them.