Chapter 791

While the mother and son whispered, Mackenzie stood by the car, pretending not to hear. She was conflicted, well aware of her grandfather's and Alessandra's wishes. If childbirth didn't involve the conventional process—the male-female union, gestation, and pain—she would have already produced a dozen children. It was a troublesome wish, but it had to be done. What a headache!

After finishing his hushed conversation with Alessandra, Emmanuel hurried to Mackenzie.

"Finished talking?" Mackenzie asked.

"Yes!" Emmanuel nodded, unsure if she'd heard their whispers.

"Let's go home then!"

"Okay!" He opened the car door for his wife and sat in the passenger seat. Alessandra clung to them, watching their car leave and muttering for them to visit more often.

Through the rearview mirror, Mackenzie watched Alessandra until she disappeared. Then she said, "Emmanuel, how about we find other relatives to accompany your mother?"

"Huh?" Emmanuel trembled. "Mackenzie, are you suggesting" He thought she'd decided about having a baby.

Unexpectedly, Mackenzie asked, "How are Ryder and Tia doing? If possible, let your cousin's family live with your mother. I can arrange…"

[…The text abruptly shifts to a different topic. The transition needs to be smoother, possibly with a clear paragraph break and contextual bridge explaining the shift.]

Chapter 791: Terence Group’s Black Card

Emmanuel understood the convenience of his wife's Black Card. It saved time and was a status symbol; people of stature didn't scan QR codes. However, he wasn't sure about Mackenzie's intention in giving him the card. "Are you planning to lend it to Ryder?" he asked.

"Yes," Mackenzie nodded. "I know you don't want to leave your mother alone, but I haven't considered living with her temporarily. This seems the only solution."

Emmanuel nodded. Alessandra hadn't asked to live with them, so he wouldn't impose it on Mackenzie. He also didn't want to leave Mackenzie alone. His mother probably wouldn't want that either. This seemed a suitable solution. Plus, if Ryder was pursuing Tia, the card could help.

Early the next morning, after dropping Mackenzie off at work, Emmanuel found Ryder.

Chapter 792

Ryder was working when he saw Emmanuel. He wiped his sweat and jogged over. "Manny, what's up?"

"Ryder," Emmanuel explained his conversation with Mackenzie, handing him the Black Card.

"How… how can I accept this?" Ryder trembled. How could he, an ordinary man, accept a card from a wealthy woman? It felt like a hot potato; he tried to return it.

"Ryder, please accept it!" Emmanuel pleaded. "Mackenzie hopes you'll win Tia's heart, have a baby, and help my mom hold a grandchild. She'll offer assistance!" This seemed more reliable than him and Mackenzie having a baby.

"Well… alright then, please thank Ms. Quillen for me!" Ryder, though honest, wanted to impress Tia and felt guilty about not taking his son to nicer places.

Chapter 792: Inviting Tia to Dinner

Seeing Ryder didn't immediately leave with Tommy, Tia frowned. "Mr. Lowe, is there something else?"

Seeing few people around, Ryder gathered his courage. "Tia, I… I want to invite you to dinner tonight. If it's convenient, can you bring your mom?" Emmanuel had suggested this. He knew Tia's mother valued financial stability.

Tia became nervous, glancing around, unsure whether to refuse.

"Haha, um… if you're not available, then… maybe another time!" Ryder's courage waned.

Fortunately, Tommy spoke up. "Ms. Franks, please say yes!"

"Well… alright, but you'll have to wait a bit!" Tia agreed.

"No problem! We can wait as long as it takes!" Ryder was excited. He quickly left with his son.

Tia bit her lip and messaged her mother, leaving the decision to her.

Chapter 793

Ryder and his son waited near the kindergarten. Around 7 p.m., Tia emerged.

"Mr. Lowe, I'm sorry for keeping you waiting. I had a few things to take care of." Tia remained polite. In truth, she'd been waiting for her mother, avoiding Ryder to prevent gossip.

"No problem at all. Work comes first. Shall we go then?" Ryder beamed. He was content just spending time with her.

"My mom should be here soon." As Tia spoke, a taxi arrived, and Marianne stepped out.

Chapter 793: Marianne Meets Ryder

"Tia, who's treating us to dinner? Where are we going?" Marianne hurried over, ignoring Ryder and his son. Tia had messaged her, mentioning Emmanuel's cousin. Marianne assumed Ryder wouldn't be shabby.

Little did she expect Tia to point at Ryder and say, "It's Mr. Lowe. He's inviting us to dinner."

Ryder approached, smiling politely. "You must be Tia's mother. You look so youthful!"

Marianne's excited expression froze. She stared at Ryder and her daughter, disbelieving. This man was related to the handsome and wealthy Emmanuel, but he looked older than her!

Tia was aware of her mother's thoughts, remembering her own reaction when she learned about Ryder and Emmanuel's relationship.

"Mom, he's greeting you. Why aren't you responding?"

Marianne was speechless. If she hadn't known he was Emmanuel's cousin, she would have sent him to the North Pole. Who did he think he was?

Ryder's smile turned awkward; his inferiority resurfaced.

After a while, Marianne exhaled. "So, where do you plan on taking us for dinner?" She might as well go along with it.

"Well, Mrs. Franks, where do you want to go?" Ryder politely asked.

"Don't call me Mrs. Franks. Just call me Marianne."

"Alright, Ms. Marianne!" Ryder added an honorific.

Marianne disliked it. She thought he looked older than her. "Can you afford wherever I suggest?" she asked aggressively.

Ryder nodded, trusting Emmanuel.

"Alright, let's go to Kellen's Heavenly Feast, then!" Marianne stated, thinking he'd back down.

"Mom, are you crazy?!" Tia was stunned.

Chapter 794

Kellen's Heavenly Feast was a top-tier establishment. A meal cost at least five figures, unaffordable for Ryder. Tia knew her mother disliked Ryder, but not this much.

"Mr. Lowe, maybe we should forget about it. Thank you for the sweet gesture," Tia said.

Ryder gritted his teeth. "It's alright, Tia. If it's Kellen's Heavenly Feast your mother wants, we'll go."

Tia and Marianne were stunned. "Huh, let's go then. Where's your car?" Marianne asked.

"… I only have an electric scooter…" Ryder said, head down.

Marianne was dumbfounded. "I… I'll hail a taxi!"

Tia felt sorry for him; he was going all out.

A taxi arrived, and they headed to Kellen's Heavenly Feast.

"Wow, Dad! This place is so beautiful!" Tommy exclaimed.

At night, Kellen's Heavenly Feast shimmered, even outshining Serenity Resort.

"Think twice. A meal here costs at least six figures! I don't want to bankrupt you!" Marianne tried again to make him back out.

"Well, we're already here. Might as well go inside," Ryder said through gritted teeth.

Unexpectedly, another taxi arrived—the Sheppard sisters and Robby!

Chapter 794: Kellen’s Heavenly Feast

Both groups were surprised. Abellyn had previously acted poor, yet here she was.

"Oh, so you've struck it rich? No wonder there's such a pretty lady willing to have dinner with you!" Chloe said, looking at Tia.

Abellyn asked, "Tia, what exactly do you see in Ryder? Tell me, did you two get involved before our divorce?"

"I… I didn't. Don't make baseless accusations!" Tia responded angrily.

Chloe held Abellyn back. "You've been married to my sister for seven years, yet you've never brought her to a place like this for dinner. Now that you've met a new woman, you bring her here to spend money. Do you think it's appropriate?"

Ryder was speechless.

"How about this? Since we've run into each other today, whether you invite one person or two, it's still an invitation. My sister has been with you as a wife for many years. It's not outrageous for you to treat her to a meal, right?" Chloe said.

"What's wrong? You're not acting rich in front of your new love interest and acting poor in front of your ex-wife, are you?" Chloe provoked him.

Ryder looked at Marianne.

"Fine! Let's go together then!" Ryder impulsively agreed. Emmanuel's card would cover it.

Abellyn was furious. Chloe whispered, "Let him pretend if he wants to. We can save money!"

Abellyn had received a million from Blake and wanted to enjoy herself and flaunt it. But with Ryder, she saw an opportunity.

"Let's go then!" Abellyn said.

Robby glanced at Tia. He didn't find her more attractive than his aunt.

"Well… let's go in too!" Ryder said, holding Tommy's hand.

Marianne looked at Ryder differently, worrying about his finances.

Chapter 796

"Madam, how many in your party? Would you like a private room?"

"Six people—oh, no, it's seven!" Abellyn exclaimed. "I want the Emperor's Suite!"

"Madam, the Emperor's Suite has a minimum spending of 168,000. Is that acceptable?" the greeter asked.

"Wow, 168,000?" Abellyn feigned surprise. "Is it okay?" she asked Ryder.

Ryder gritted his teeth. "It's fine."

Abellyn was shocked. "Waiter, give us the most luxurious private room!"

"The most luxurious? So, you're not interested in the Emperor's Suite?"

"The Divine Pantheon Suite, with a minimum spending of 388,000. Is that acceptable?"

The Sheppard sisters nearly coughed up blood.

"Great! We'll take that private room!" Abellyn decided.

Chapter 796: The Divine Pantheon Suite

A different woman guided them. All the women felt inadequate.

Ryder was trembling. Tommy reassured him, "Dad, don't worry, Uncle Manny won't deceive us!"

They entered the Divine Pantheon Suite. They were awed by the luxury.

The uniformed beauty began to doubt their ability to pay.

"Ladies and gentlemen, you need to prepay the minimum spending before entering."

Everyone's gaze fell on Ryder. Abellyn smirked.

Chapter 797

"Um… we have a card." Ryder said. "The Terence Group's Black Card!"

The beauty smiled. Kellen's Heavenly Feast had a partnership with Terence Group.

"Ah, you're a Black Card customer. Please come in quickly!"

Servers were assigned to take their orders. The women ordered without considering the prices.

Chapter 797: The Outrageous Order

Ryder's heart sank. What if the card didn't cover it?

"Ryder, don't worry! We didn't order that much. With you being such a high roller, we won't eat away all your money. Haha…" Abellyn said.

After Robby finished ordering, Chloe said, "Since it's rare for us to be here, how can we not have some wine? Right, Mrs. Franks?"

Marianne nodded. Tia looked at Ryder with concern.

Ryder messaged Emmanuel, reconfirming the card would cover the expenses.

"Huh, let's have five bottles of 1982 Lafite, then!" Chloe ordered.

Ryder's face turned pale. He received a reply from Emmanuel: ‘Relax, Ryder. Just perform well in front of Tia and not worry about the money. If you encounter any issues, just give me a call.’

Ryder felt relieved. "Tia, Ms. Marianne, feel free to order whatever you want. Don't hold back!"

Marianne smiled. Abellyn clenched her teeth.

Chapter 798

The food arrived quickly. Abellyn and Robby ate messily.

After two hours, Abellyn and Chloe were sprawled in their chairs, burping. Ryder was disgusted.

The server brought the bill: 1.08 million.

Everyone was shocked. Abellyn chuckled. "He's treating us today."

Ryder was furious. He took the bill; the alcohol alone was almost half the total, and two bottles of Lafite were unopened!

"Um, can those two bottles of wine be returned?"

"Certainly, sir. Returning those two bottles of wine will reduce the bill by 200,000!"

The Sheppard sisters opened the bottles.

The room fell silent. Ryder was furious.

Chapter 798: The Jaw-Dropping Bill

"Abellyn Sheppard! Since you and your sister have decided to act shamelessly tonight, I'm not going to carry your weight anymore! This dinner's going Dutch. I'll only pay for four people. As for what you've eaten, settle the bill yourselves!" Ryder exploded.

Tia looked at Ryder.

Chapter 799

"Ryder, you son of a b*tch!" Abellyn scolded. "You promised to treat us to this meal when we entered. Now you're backing out after we've eaten? You're truly not a man!"

"That's right! Stop pretending to be rich! With your behavior, how do you expect to get married?! Disgusting! Dream on!" Chloe said.

Tia defended Ryder. "I don't care how Mr. Lowe has treated you, but he has been consistent with us. He said he'd treat us to the meal, and he did."

"You-" The sisters were furious.

"Everyone, please stop!" The server intervened. "If no one is willing to pay the bill, then I'll split the bill into seven equal parts. If anyone can't pay, you'll be having a chat at the police station."

Abellyn was furious. She had recklessly ordered.

"Forget it, Abellyn. Let's not stoop to his level. In my opinion, I think even paying my 3/4ths share will be tough for me!" Chloe said.

"Fine! Let's see how you'll pay the bill! Let's go!" Abellyn said.

They believed Ryder wouldn't be able to cover his part, but to everyone's surprise, Abellyn paid her share of 460,000!

"Haha, Ryder, just so you know, tens of thousands mean nothing to me now. I want to see how you're going to pay the remaining 620,000! Better get ready to go to jail!"

Marianne grew worried. Tia offered her card.

"No, no need!" Ryder said. He took out a black card.

Chapter 800

Ryder was stunned. The cashier said the card was declined.

"Haha, what a laugh!" The Sheppard sisters mocked.

Tia was also affected.

Tommy tugged at his hand. "Dad, you grabbed the wrong card. This isn't the one Uncle Manny gave you!"

Ryder realized it was a mall VIP card.

"Sorry, I grabbed the wrong one…" He took out the black card.

The cashier was stunned. The manager arrived.

"Sir, we apologize. As a Black Card user, you shouldn't have had to come personally to settle the bill. Please accept our sincere apologies for the inconvenience," the manager apologized.

The supervisor slapped herself. "Sir, I'm sorry! It's my negligence. Please, can you forgive me?"

Ryder waved his hands. "I'm not blaming you, really! It's nothing serious at all!"

The Sheppard sisters were dumbfounded. Marianne was surprised.

"Dad, Ms. Franks, let's go!" Tommy said.

"Sir, please allow me to see you off. Do you need a private car service?" the supervisor asked.

The Sheppard sisters were ignored.

Abellyn exclaimed, "Chloe! Why did it turn out like this? When did that b*stard Ryder become so amazing?!"