24 Nuh-uh!!

Exactly at seven, Patrick Yang entered the main hall and was shocked at seeing the people sitting inside.

Mandy sat next to Wade, trying to ask him about different things to which he gave half hearted answers.

Lina sat meddling with her phone.

The only person who noticed his presence was the woman staring at him with sparkling eyes.

'What is up with her?' Patrick rolled his eyes and moved towards the couch.

Butler Ping appeared out of thin air and took his suit's jacket and his briefcase while handing him a glass of ice cold water.

He sat beside Lina and gulped down the water.

Being disturbed from her game, Lina glared at the person who's weight on the couch had caused her to miss her shot in the game.

When she saw that it was her Uncle Pat, her frown turned into a wide smile and hugged him sideways.

"Hey Uncle Pat!" 

Only then did the other two people, notice the new person in the hall.

Mandy smiled at first but then frowned when she saw her father patting Lina's head  lovingly.

'Why does he like Lina so much? I am his daughter!' She gnashed her teeth.

Wade heard her teeth making a grating sound  but did not bother with her. He looked at Patrick and gave a respectful nod then looked down feeling guilty about his previous behaviour.

Patrick was shocked to see that Wade had acknowledged his presence with a nod, something that he had not done in a long time. He even noticed Wade's guilty and embarrassed eyes and smiled.

'This boy is finally willing to look at me again.' He was about to tear up.

But he was soon distracted by the glare he felt from Mandy who was beside Wade.

'What is this so-called daughter of mine thinking now?' He then felt like he was in a good mood and smiled at her.

Mandy was pissed that her father was not only treating Lina but also Wade better than her but when she saw the gentle smile he gave her, the lava of hatred boiling in her heart cooled down.

Then he looked at Lucille with a smile.

"Please wait for a few minutes, then we can all have dinner together. Like a family." Not waiting for their response, he walked up the stairs. Thus he did not see the reactions that his words had caused.

There was complete silence in the hall. Everyone had different thoughts about what had just happened.

Lina smirked inwardly,  'What is he planning now?'

Wade frowned, 'Why did he change his behaviour to Lucille and Mandy so drastically?'

Mandy was happy, 'Dad is finally trying to make us feel like a part of the family.'

Lucille was confused, 'Why is he so nice to me today?'

 Pushing down the doubts in her heart she smiled, 'It must be the new haircut!'

She then looked up at Butler Ping and announced, "Today is a good day, bring out the good wine."

'Wow something thinks of herself as the Madam of the house!' Then Lina smiled at Lucille as if she agreed with her.

Seeing Lina's ok signal, Butler Ping walked to the cellar.

'After seeing Patrick treating me with care today, finally that useless servant is listening to my commands.' She then proudly smiled looking at Lina, trying to show that she was in charge here.

Lina just raised an eyebrow and smiled back.

'Her real expressions just leaked out. Looks like Mandy's delusional tendencies were inherited from Lucille.'

While this silent mini war was going on between Lina and Lucille, Patrick had changed into comfortable leisurewear and reached their place.

He saw Wade busy with his phone and Mandy trying to peep to check what he was doing.

He also saw Lina and Lucille just stare and smile at each other.

'Creepy!' He then cleared his throat and successfully gained their attention.

"Let's eat." He walked to the dining table and as always pulled the chair for Lina.

Lina and Patrick sat in their same places but this time he invited Lucille to sit beside him and Wade sat opposite him on Lina's left with Mandy sitting on his other side.

They looked just like a normal family but they were far from being one.

Trying to brighten the dull mood, Wade spoke first.

"Lina still sits in the same place huh?" He said and let out a little laugh.

"Same place? Did Lina always sit at the head's seat?" Mandy asked curiously.

When Wade heard that Mandy might not know the truth about her birth and just be a pawn in her mother's plans, he doubted it.

But with the way she acted this evening, he too had the same thought about her.

'She's being used by her mother whom she trusts.' 

Pitiful would be the word that Wade would use to describe Mandy. So he decided to treat her normally.

"That place was Grandfather Yang's but after Lina's birth, he would place her on his lap and feed her before he ate. When Grandpa died, Lina was still a little girl and the seat automatically became hers. So she has always sat at the same place from her birth."  He then picked up a chicken drumstick and placed it on Lina's plate who ate it with pleasure.

Wade had decided to treat her normally but that did not mean that he would spare her if she caused harm to his family and especially to Lina. 

That is why he told her the story of the head's place being Lina's from birth. 

'I hope this girl understands my words and doesn't walk down a road she can't turn back from.' He wished. 

"Ohh?" Was all that Mandy could say.

'I don't want to sit on some old chair anyways. This stupid Lina can take it if she wants. What I want is daddy's seat in the office!' She thought ambitiously. 

Lina who saw the sparkle in her eyes had a bad feeling about whatever she was thinking. 

"Dad, it's been a couple of months that I have stayed in the Manor. I'm bored!" She whined looking at Patrick. 

"Is the allowance not sufficient?" He asked hiding the frown that was about to appear. 

"Compared to Lina's. Totally!" Looking into her plate, she muttered in a very low voice 

But Wade who sat next to her, heard her loud and clear. 

"No, dad. I don't want to live my entire life sitting at home and spending your money. Like someone else here." She glanced at Lina and continued. 

Listening to the taunt that was clearly meant for Lina, Wade's frown from earlier deepened. 

"I want to work. So dad can I get a job at Yang Groups?" She finally spoke about what she wanted. 

Lucille's eyes widened listening to her daughter. 

'Why did she have to say this here and now? I clearly explained to her my plan! What is she doing!!?' 

She felt like slapping her foolish daughter for not listening to her words. 

Lina and Wade shared a knowing smile and turned to face Patrick. 

Patrick tried to stabilize his feelings and after a long silence, he managed to say, 

"I'll think about it."

What he actually wanted to say was. 

'No way in hell will I let you into my sacred office. Nuh-uh!'