Chapter 370

“I have some half-siblings who share the same father. My father had relationships with several women, resulting in more children.”

Mr. and Mrs. Sweeney were surprised by this answer, creating an awkward atmosphere. They didn't know how to proceed.

Lina Sweeney quickly interjected, “Mom, Dad, this is a matter of the previous generation. His parents are his parents; he is his own person!”

Hadwin Stephenson was surprised by Lina Sweeney's statement. He looked at her with a warmth he didn't realize he possessed.

Mr. Sweeney recovered first, conceding, “Indeed. That was a matter of past generations. So, Tingxin, what do you do for work?”

“I primarily manage a company,” Hadwin Stephenson replied.

“Manage a company?” Mr. Sweeney looked incredulous. He thought he’d misheard. “What company? You’re only twenty-nine.”

For Mr. Sweeney, a regular managerial position for a twenty-nine-year-old was impressive enough. Managing an entire company seemed implausible.

“I’m not sure if you’ve heard of the Stephenson Group.”

Mr. Sweeney, from a small suburb, wasn’t familiar with large shipping companies. His knowledge of brands was limited to those he saw locally.

Mr. Sweeney smiled awkwardly. “Um… I haven’t heard of it. Is it a new company?” He added, thinking of today’s entrepreneurial young people, “Many young people start their own businesses these days.”

Lina Sweeney felt even more awkward than her father.

Hadwin Stephenson simply smiled.

After more conversation, Lina Sweeney sought a way to excuse Hadwin Stephenson, but her parents insisted he stay for dinner.

“Didn’t you say you had things to settle at the office?” Lina Sweeney signaled him discreetly.

“This meal won’t take long.”

Lina Sweeney was speechless. Is he really staying for dinner?

After dinner, Lina Sweeney realized her parents wanted to get to know Hadwin Stephenson better. She quickly said, “Let me take him for a walk to help with digestion.” She immediately pulled Hadwin Stephenson outside.

Lina Sweeney breathed a sigh of relief in the elevator. The “meet the parents” ordeal was finally over.

Lina Sweeney exclaimed, “If I hadn’t taken you out, my parents would probably have asked about your entire family history! When they asked those questions earlier, you didn’t need to be so detailed. A simple answer would have sufficed.”

He replied, “I think you wanted your parents to dislike me. If that’s the case, why did you say ‘his parents are his parents; he is his own person’?”

Lina Sweeney was startled. She’d said it impulsively.

“So… you don’t want your parents to dislike me?” he asked.

His gaze flustered her. “I just felt that the actions of the previous generation shouldn’t define you. Don’t overthink what I said.”

She turned away to avoid his gaze.