Chapter 1387

Felicia entered, her presence radiating warmth. Her face lit up upon seeing Victor.

“Oh, Victor! Glad you made it!” she exclaimed, her tone affectionate. “Come in, sit down. Let me get you a drink.”

She pulled Victor toward the sofa, then turned to Elyse with an eager smile. “Elyse, honey, why are you just standing there? Come join us!”

Elyse, however, remained frozen, her expression strained. Pearce gently took her hand, leading her to the sofa and positioning himself between her and Victor.

He turned to Felicia with a hint of frustration. “Grandma, why did you invite him? This was meant to be a family dinner. Why is there an outsider here?”

Victor playfully jabbed Pearce in the chest. “Hey, I’m always around. I’m practically family!”

Pearce shot him an annoyed look before turning back to Felicia. “This is completely unexpected. Did you consider whether Elyse would be comfortable with him here?”

Felicia, oblivious to the tension, waved his concerns away. “What’s the big deal? Victor’s not an outsider. It’s better for Elyse to meet him sooner rather than later, don’t you think?”

“Grandma, you didn’t tell me he would be here,” Elyse said, her voice hurt.

“Oh, you silly girl!” Felicia chided gently. “Victor’s a wonderful man. There’s no harm in getting to know him.”

Elyse, unable to refuse Felicia’s well-meaning invitation, glanced at Victor. His genial smile and friendly demeanor were far more approachable than Jayden’s had ever been.

Suddenly overwhelmed, she pressed a hand to her chest. “I need some air,” she murmured, leaving the room before anyone could react.

Unaware of Elyse’s distress, Felicia turned to Victor with a serious expression. “My granddaughter has been through a lot. I’d appreciate it if you could spend some time with her,” she said earnestly.

“Of course,” Victor replied warmly, nodding.