Simon said, "Hmm? What did you say? Lately, my ears haven't been too good. Getting older, you know." He clearly feigned obliviousness; a raise was out of the question.
Andrew gritted his teeth. At this moment, this old man claims age is affecting him. If I offered Apex Urban University a multi-million dollar investment, would his hearing miraculously improve?
Simon asked Yvette, "Grand-aunt, where are you going? Back to the dormitory?"
Yvette lifted her delicate features, raised an eyebrow, and replied in a detached tone, "The Chambers family."
All three in the car stared at her. To the Chambers residence, now?
Yvette ignored their gazes, resting her chin on her hand and looking out the window. Her dark eyes were deep and profound.
At the Chambers family villa, Zachary surveyed the nearly ten relatives seated on the sofa—ages ranging from seventy to thirteen or fourteen. He felt a headache coming on. How am I supposed to get rid of all these people?
Ever since Yvette's television fame, these relatives had flocked to the Chambers family like flies, impossible to deter. Some elders, previously distant, suddenly appeared daily. Their true intentions were suspect.
When Lucas entered and saw the throng in the living room, he blanked. Since Grand-aunt became famous, the Chambers family threshold has been constantly breached. We sent some away yesterday, and today even more have arrived. It's never-ending. Lucas approached Zachary and whispered.
An elderly woman in her seventies, gray-haired and sharp-witted, watched the two intently. After Lucas finished and stepped aside, she became animated. "Oh, Zachary, what's Lucas saying? We're all family. What's there to not listen to? What's wrong? Are you suspicious of us?"
The woman was Zachary's grand-aunt. She'd married into the Lommore family as a teenager and rarely returned to Seacrity. Since Zachary's mother's passing, contact had been minimal, limited to courtesy gifts during festivals. As she spoke, the other visiting Chambers family members fell silent.
A flamboyantly dressed woman in designer brands stepped forward. "Grandma, Zachary, we're all Chambers family. You're closest to us. Uncle won't be guarded against us, right?" She ostensibly spoke for Zachary but clearly had her own agenda; she had important matters to attend to that day.
The old lady's expression softened.
Zachary responded smoothly, providing an escape route for both sides. "Grand-aunt, you've misunderstood. Lucas was discussing business; he was worried you'd be bored. Please don't worry about it."
The old lady understood the changed dynamics of the Chambers family and Zachary's elevated status—finding his long-lost daughter, her national representation, victory, and subsequent "Goddess of Clusia" title. She relied on the reputation of Zachary's late mother and dared not overstep, having her own reasons for visiting Seacrity. She smiled kindly and began reminiscing about the past.
Zachary, holding his coffee cup, listened with growing unease. His face remained impassive; he let her recount her childhood.
The others were supportive, laughing and appearing moved at appropriate moments.
Finally, seeing Zachary's continued silence, she bit her lip and shifted the topic to her purpose. "Zachary, I'm old and have few wishes left. There's one worry, though, which brings me here."
Zachary paused, set down his cup, and spoke deliberately. "What is it? Tell me. Let's see if I can help." He wasn't foolish; he left room in his response, handling what he could, refusing what he couldn't.
The old lady recognized the opening. Success would secure the Chambers family's future, eliminating further arguments with Zachary. Maintaining a refined demeanor, she said, "Zachary, I have a grandson. He's 27, excellent, our family's only male heir. He graduated from a prestigious university, has a good personality and looks. His future is limitless. Keeping the wealth within the family is best. Yvette doesn't have a boyfriend, does she? They'd be perfect. What do you think?"
Zachary was stunned. He hadn't anticipated this. Shameless. I know this 'promising' grandson is a notorious playboy in Lommore, a womanizer. Their family sent him abroad to improve him, and he's still jobless. He'd learned this during a Lommore business trip.
Before Zachary could respond, others began praising the idea.
"Grand-aunt is right. Keeping wealth in the family is best. Yvette is outstanding. Marrying someone else might bring pressure. Grand-aunt's grandson ensures a good life."
"I agree. Mr. Chambers, this is perfect. Don't miss this opportunity." "The Chambers family is prestigious. Yvette won't regret marrying into our family."
"Yes, with parental matchmaking, Yvette won't object."
Lucas watched the Chambers family's shameless behavior. This is ridiculous, toads trying to eat swan meat. Does she know what Grand-aunt's like now? This old lady thinks her grandson could marry Grand-aunt? A joke! She should look in a mirror!
Zachary sneered. Do they think I'm a pushover? Just because I've been polite, they dare suggest this? Her useless grandson wants to marry my daughter? Keep dreaming!
None of them had met Yvette, yet they acted familiar, calling her "Yvette."
Zachary looked at the chattering relatives and said coldly, "Grand-aunt, let's drop this. I'm not involved in Yvette's marriage. She'll marry whomever she chooses. Your grandson should look elsewhere."