Chapter 343: Meeting the Grandparents
Alexander, now head of the Quirk family, inherited all family holdings. However, with Lionel still residing there, discussing this was inappropriate for the moment.
Isabella shook her head after a moment's reflection. "I just thought it was quite spectacular," she said.
The sheer size of the house was daunting. "It must be worth a fortune," someone commented, "but living here must be a hassle. We've been driving for five minutes and haven't reached the front door yet! It must take ten minutes just to walk from the bedroom to the dining room. If I lived here, I'd lose weight from all the walking!"
The Quirks were amused by Isabella's perspective. The vastness of the house also sparked a discussion about the possibility of ghosts. Several ghost-averse family members recoiled, voicing anxieties they hadn't considered before. One whispered, "I won't dare sleep alone tonight!" Alexander was relieved to have his wife's company.
The car finally stopped at a large compound, its massive gates looming before them. Other cars arrived soon after. Everyone excitedly pushed open the grand doors and entered the reception hall.
From afar, Isabella saw an elderly man with white hair, sitting solemnly on a sofa. Despite his age, he radiated vitality. His eyes lit up upon their arrival, especially when he saw Alexander. A tear glistened in his eye as he made a subtle movement, maintaining his composure. It was Lionel.
Seated beside him was Marley, radiating warmth and friendliness, though her eyes were red and she fidgeted restlessly. She rose immediately upon seeing them, rushing towards Alexander.
"Alex, you're finally here!" she exclaimed, embracing him. "That's all that matters. Did your journey go smoothly? This must be Bella. She's beautiful—even more so than on television."
Alexander's expression remained impassive, though his gaze softened as he held Marley's arm. Unfazed by his aloofness, she patted his hand repeatedly before turning to Isabella with unrestrained joy, scrutinizing her from head to toe.
Marley's warmth instantly softened Isabella's apprehension. She almost dismissed the possibility of Marley mistreating Alexander. However, Isabella quickly recomposed herself, having already mentally noted Lionel and Marley's names. She silently checked her information: "Okay. Lionel and Marley have passed!"
Alexander was momentarily taken aback, looking to the other Quirks for clarification. They understood immediately, breathing collective sighs of relief. While they found it difficult to believe their grandfather was involved, or that Marley, who had sacrificed so much, would harm Alexander, their fears seemed unfounded.
They subtly observed the others' reactions. The lack of any response reassured them; Isabella's statement had been so sudden, a reaction was expected. They speculated that not all Quirks present could hear Isabella's thoughts – some relatives, present due to the Callahan incident, may not have had this ability. This observation seemed to confirm their theory. Perhaps those who held a special place in Isabella’s heart could hear her thoughts. A sense of pride swelled within the family.
After greeting Alexander and Isabella, Marley turned her attention to Callahan. "Oh my! Cal looks so much like Alex when he was young," she gushed. "Such a lovely child! You've had a tough time, but you're back now. That's wonderful, just wonderful."
Lionel cleared his throat, prompting Marley to compose herself. An older couple, Caitlin and Adam, rose from the sofa. "Aunt Marley seems to have forgotten about us old folks," Adam chuckled, welcoming everyone and inviting them to sit.