Chapter 242: A Conversation Between Astrid and Dominic

"How dare you keep avoiding us like we're the plague? I'm so mad!"

Dominic stood up. "Dad, you can head back if you're done. I have a few things to take care of."

"Dominic, you're not going to go look for Tilda, are you?"

Dominic had been so focused on Tilda during the meal that he had barely touched his food.

Russell worried. If Dominic went to talk to Tilda, with her personality, he'd probably get humiliated. He could still vividly remember the last time Tilda had rejected Dominic; he had a complete breakdown and had to be hospitalized. Russell couldn’t let it happen again.

"Even if I wanted to see Tilda, with how much she hates me right now, there’s no way she’d meet me."

"Dad, I’m going to see someone else. Don’t worry, I won’t cause you any more trouble." Dominic smiled at Russell and hurried away.

Russell sighed heavily.

Since Dominic had put it that way, all he could do was trust him.

Astrid came by taxi–she didn’t bring her car.

Theo raised an eyebrow. "Astrid, want me to give you a ride back? Jarrett’s taking Zach home."

"No, I’m fine… I’ll just take a cab myself—" Before Astrid could finish, a figure came running out.

"Astrid!"

It was Dominic.

Astrid had expected this and had Jarrett and the others leave first.

"Um… Astrid, are you sure about this?" Theo looked a little worried. Jarrett and Zach watched Astrid with worried eyes.

After all, Queen didn’t have the best relationship with the Jensons. Since Astrid was part of the Jensons, she could end up stuck in the middle.

"Well, he’s family. He’s not gonna hurt me, right? You can go."

Then, Astrid walked toward Dominic. When she saw him, she spoke calmly, "It’s been a while, Dominic."

"Astrid, do you have a moment? I need to talk to you."

"Okay."

Jarrett and the others could only anxiously watch them go.

"Should we tell Queen about this?" Zach spoke, which was rare for him.

"Forget it. I feel like her relationship with the Jensons is already complicated enough. No need to bother her with this. Astrid said she’ll handle it, so let’s just trust her!"

Dominic and Astrid found a coffee shop that was still open.

"What do you want to drink?"

"Americano, no sugar, warm, please. Thanks."

Dominic and Astrid sat across from each other.

For a moment, Dominic had so much he wanted to say but didn’t know where to start.

It was Astrid who took a sip of her coffee and spoke first. "The last time we sat face-to-face like this was probably six years ago, when you and your family came to visit us in Flonche."

"Yeah… Time flies. So much has happened since then..." Dominic gave a wry smile. "Astrid, how do you know Tilda?"

"Is it strange for us to know each other? Tilda’s my cousin too," Astrid spoke calmly, not revealing anything about the base or the Glory Team.

Astrid was 22, a year older than Wade, which technically made Tilda her younger cousin. Of course, that was only based on age–Tilda was both Astrid’s idol and her leader.

"You know what happened between our family and Tilda," Dominic said, probing. "Isn’t there another reason?"

"No, don’t overthink it, Dominic. Tilda and I just get along well. The issues with your family are your private matters, and it’s not my business to get involved. Are you here to confront me because you’re upset that Tilda and I are friends?"

"No, don’t get me wrong. I’m glad you and Tilda get along; it helps ease my guilt."

A flicker of emotion crossed Dominic’s eyes.

Tilda still maintained a relationship with Astrid. That meant… the bond between Tilda and the Jensons wasn’t completely severed. It was just Dominic’s wishful thinking, but he had to believe it to feel better. It was his only way of coping, deceiving himself.

"Dominic, what happened between Tilda and your family? Wasn’t she the daughter you all had been looking for for 19 years? Why did she cut ties with the Jensons so quickly and decisively, in less than a month? Why did she even sue Uncle Russell?"

Astrid had heard about this but didn’t care. She felt it was a private family matter and that her uncle wouldn’t be happy with anyone asking, and it wasn’t her place to get involved. But now that it concerned her boss and idol, she couldn’t ignore it.

Queen had said she had no regrets about this matter.