The Amazing Son-in-Law: Chapters 881-885

Chapter 881

After more than an hour in the kitchen, the two former lovers finally prepared a feast. Jacob Wilson announced, "Dinner's ready!" He then asked Paul, "By the way, Paul, would you like a nightcap?"

Paul smiled, produced a portable gift box, and said, "Uncle Wilson, I brought two bottles of 30-year-old Maotai. This isn't ordinary Moutai; it's an export version from over 20 years ago, originally shipped to the United States and later acquired by a collector. It's been meticulously stored, and each bottle weighs two kilograms."

Jacob Wilson exclaimed, "Thirty years old, plus over twenty years isn't that over fifty years old now?"

"Yes!" Paul chuckled. "About fifty-six years."

Jacob Wilson sighed, "This wine is incredibly precious. It's too much of a gift. You should keep it."

Paul quickly responded, "Uncle Wilson, please don't be so formal. It's for you. If you'd like, we can open a bottle tonight. Otherwise, we can choose another wine."

Jacob Wilson smiled. "In that case, thank you. Let's open a bottle tonight!" He then instructed Charlie Wade, "Charlie, tell Claire to come down for dinner."

Charlie Wade nodded. "I'll call her."

Upstairs in the bedroom, he found Claire lying on the bed, her back to the door. "Honey, dinner's ready," he said.

As he started to enter, Claire said, "Oh, not yet."

She stood, turned away, and appeared to wipe her eyes. Charlie Wade quickly moved to face her, noticing her red eyes. "Wife, why are you crying again?" he asked.

Claire stubbornly denied, "I wasn't crying; my eyes were just a little irritated."

Charlie Wade said, distressed, "Don't quibble. Your eyes are red. Is it because of Mom?"

After a moment of silence, Claire sighed, nodded, and said, "It's been almost thirty hours, and we still haven't heard anything. I'm afraid something's happened to Mom. And with everything going on, I expected Dad to be there for me, but he" Overwhelmed with emotion, she began to cry.

Charlie Wade embraced her, gently patting her back. "My wife, don't cry. Mom will be fine. I promise."

Claire sobbed, "What can you promise? You don't know where she is, what she's been through, or if she's in danger"

Charlie Wade said seriously, "Don't worry. I've promised, and I won't let anything happen to her. I'll ask some influential friends for help."

"Really? Will they help?" Claire asked anxiously.

Chapter 882

Charlie Wade smiled. "Don't worry. If anyone agrees, they'll be more resourceful and better connected than us. They might help us figure out what happened."

Claire breathed a sigh of relief. "Charlie, thank you so much!"

Charlie Wade smiled. "Silly girl, I'm your husband. No need for thanks." He patted her shoulder. "Let's go eat. Afterward, I'll contact my friends. I promise Mom will come home safely!"

Claire nodded, feeling much better. Before, she'd felt alone; now, having Charlie's resolute support was a comfort.

Charlie Wade felt sorry for Claire. Elaine Ma's disappearance clearly weighed heavily on her. If Elaine Ma wasn't returned soon, Claire would likely break down.

He resolved to implement his plan tomorrow, confident he could bring Elaine Ma back the day after.

He took Claire downstairs. Jacob Wilson and Matilda had already set the table. Paul offered Charlie Wade a drink. "Mr. Wade, would you like a drink?"

Charlie Wade smiled. "Yes, I'll join you."

Claire quietly reminded, "Aren't you seeing your friends after dinner? You shouldn't drink and drive."

Charlie Wade replied, "It's fine. I'll take a taxi. It's Mr. Paul's first visit; we should share a drink."

Claire nodded. "Okay, as long as you don't drive."

Jacob Wilson emerged from the kitchen with beef soup. Seeing Claire, he said, "Claire, try Matilda's cooking. It's superb!"

Chapter 883

Claire had little appetite, especially since the meal was prepared by her father's former lover. However, she sat down.

Matilda entered, carrying bowls and chopsticks. "I'm sorry to keep you waiting. Let's eat," she said.

The table was laden with delicious home-cooked dishes: braised prawns, meat dishes, fish head tofu, fried shrimp eel, etc.

Matilda regretted, "I was going to make Longjing shrimp, but I got too busy."

Thinking of Jacob Wilson hugging her in the kitchen, a blush colored Matilda's cheeks.

Charlie Wade, though hungry, politely poured drinks for the women before raising his glass. "Matilda and Paul, welcome back to China, to Aurouss Hill, and to our home. Let's drink together!"

Jacob Wilson echoed, "Let's have a drink!"

Matilda responded, "Thank you for your hospitality. It's wonderful to have a home-cooked meal on my first day back."

Jacob Wilson said, "Matilda, we're old classmates. No need to be formal. And this meal is all your doing."

Charlie Wade said, "Let's toast!"

The men finished their drinks; the women sipped theirs. Claire's expression was reserved. Matilda, aware of Claire's reservations, offered her a prawn, saying, "Claire, try the prawns."

Chapter 884

Claire, surprised by the deliciousness, realized Matilda's culinary skills were far superior to her mother's. Matilda then offered Claire fish, which was also exceptional.

Jacob Wilson was astounded by the meal. He reflected on the warmth of a home-cooked meal, a feeling restaurants couldn't replicate.

He looked at Paul enviously. "Paul, you're lucky your mother cooks so well."

Paul replied, "Uncle Wilson, it depends on your perspective. In college, away from my mother, food felt meaningless. Later, with business travel, I missed her cooking. Her skill spoiled my palate, making it hard to enjoy food anywhere else."

Jacob Wilson sighed, "It's true. Your mother cooks so well, I wouldn't be interested in food from anywhere else."

Claire, sensing her father's implication, raised her glass to Matilda. "Auntie Matilda, I toast you. This is to welcome you home."

Matilda responded, "Thank you, Claire." Claire sighed, "It would be nice if Mom were here. She'd be so happy to see you."

Jacob and Matilda exchanged uneasy glances. Claire's remark was a pointed reminder of her place in the family.

Matilda said, uncomfortably, "I haven't seen your mother in years; I'd love to see her." She asked Jacob, "Where is Elaine Ma? Why isn't she home?"

Jacob quickly replied, "She's visited family. She'll be back in a few days."

Chapter 885

Everyone enjoyed the meal, even Claire, despite her initial reservations. She ate significantly more than usual.

Jacob Wilson discreetly loosened his belt after the meal, thinking, "Matilda is perfect. If only he could be with her."

Charlie Wade also mused that a mother-in-law like Matilda would be a blessing. However, he couldn't let Elaine Ma disappear.

After the meal, Matilda cleaned up, refusing Charlie Wade's help.

Matilda announced, "It's late. Thank you for your hospitality. I had a wonderful meal!"

Jacob Wilson thanked her, saying the meal fulfilled a longtime wish.

Matilda politely said goodbye. Jacob Wilson offered to walk them to their car.

Charlie and Claire saw them to the gate.