A Family Dinner Plus Two

For Alliana, dining together with only family members was exclusive and intimate. The people who could join them were only the persons they were very close with or one they could treat as their family.

All this time, it was only the four of them who sat together at the dining table and dine peacefully.

Though, their mother would sometimes bring a 'prospective father' to the table so they already got used to it. But how come Angel was treating this kind of thing lightly?!

"Angel, we can just let the servants send the food to his room. He might feel shy joining us on the table," Alliana strongly suggested.

No matter what, she could not let another unrelated person join them.

However, Alliana's suggestion fell to the gutter when their mother spoke.

"Oh my, Angel, you made friends?"

Annie's eyes were sparkling as she took the boy's hands.

The boy trembled in shock. He stepped back, but his hands were already captured by the beautiful sister… aunt in front of him.

Annie peered at the boy's face closely. "What a handsome lad! Though, you kind of look familiar. May I ask what your name is?"

Alliana was speechless.

In which part of him do you see as 'handsome', mother?!

The boy looked down in embarrassment. His ears were red.

"M-madame can call me Arch..."

"Arch? That is a nice name. I am pleased to hear that my youngest daughter has finally made a friend! You see, it is very hard for Angel to make friends or even invite them to our house. Please join us for lunch. We want to know more about you."

The boy looked at Angel, seeking for help.

Angel's poker face just nodded as she calmly spoke. "Please join us. You are my first friend after all."

The boy turned even redder and bowed his head. "A-Alright..."

Alliana: !!!

What do you mean first friend?! You two were only trapped in the same place together for a night, yet you already became close and called each other friends?!

Alliana was still about to reject the boy's presence in their family lunch, when a hand grasped her arm.

She turned to Ariana and whispered in annoyance. "What, are you going to stop me again?"

Ariana's black hat was blocking her face, but she spoke quite convincingly. "Sister, this is not the time to worry about the boy. Angel knows what she is doing. What we must focus on is that man."

That man.

Alliana paused and turned towards George Tan who was sticking to their mother like glue.

"We cannot trust him yet. We can grind him thoroughly later at lunch," Ariana whispered.

It was their first meeting with George Tan. But because of the boy's presence and Angel's rebellious attitude, Alliana was not too focused on this man. If it was a normal situation, she would have grinded the man earlier.

Alliana held her forehead and sighed.

There were two males joining them at their table. She wanted them both out of this house. But she obviously could not do that, so she could only make trouble for them.

Alliana raised her chin. "Fine. Mother's marriage is more pressing than Angel's matter. That Josh Tan seems a lot more dangerous than the cowardly boy."

"...It is George, sister."

...

The silent Chu mansion became lively for the first time as the maids and butlers busied themselves. After all, it's been a long time since the mansion had a guest! What's more, they were two invited guests who would both stay for lunch.

The servants were excited. This was one of the rare occasions that might only happen once or twice in the decade that the maids were working here.

At the Chu's dining room, a feast filled with their favorite food was on the table.

Annie looked at the scene where her three dearest daughters were sitting at the same table with the man she loved.

She could not help but lovingly glance at the handsome man beside her.

"What is the matter, An?" George Tan gently asked the beautiful woman whose eyes seemed to be shining with unshed tears.

Annie smiled warmly. "I am just happy that we are finally having our first formal meeting together with my daughters. It was so hard for all of us to gather like this. I am very happy right now."

George Tan held Annie's hand and gently squeezed it. "You must thank your eldest daughter. If she has not called you, we will not be having this sumptuous lunch together."

Alliana who heard their conversation almost cracked her elegant expression.

So it was her fault?