Chapter 158: At the Table
Wyatt looked up. “Don’t talk badly about my wife.”
Elianna was full of resentment. What exactly was it about Yunice that made Wyatt so protective?
Wyatt continued. “And by seniority, you can address me as your elder brother. If you don’t want to, just call me Wyatt.” Don’t let me hear any more inappropriate titles, Wyatt thought.
Elianna stood there awkwardly for a moment, then quietly returned to the table. The side branches of the Powell family were already seated, and all eyes turned to Elianna the moment she arrived alone. Someone immediately asked, nosily as ever, “Why didn’t you bring Wyatt with you?”
Elianna muttered, “He’s waiting for Mrs. Cooper.” The moment she said it, a wave of laughter followed.
“You really treat that lunatic like your sister-in-law?”
“What lunatic?” Elianna had spent the past few years abroad; she barely knew anything about Yunice.
“You joined the Powell family late, so you wouldn’t know. Ms. Saunders was originally supposed to marry Paul, but then she had a breakdown and stabbed someone. Spent three years in a psych ward. When she got out, somehow she latched onto Wyatt…”
Elianna frowned in disgust. “That’s outrageous…”
“That’s just the beginning. Paul figured things out early—he’d been sleeping with her for years. But Wyatt? He’s not picky, I guess. He can even stomach that…” They exchanged mocking looks, their laughter full of scorn.
Just then, Linda walked over. “That’s all in the past. No need to gossip or stir up drama. Whatever Ms. Saunders is like, the only thing that matters is that Wyatt likes her.”
The others forced some smiles, all thinking the same thing: Who’s she trying to fool? The whole reason this family dinner was organized was so they could talk about exactly this.
Still, with Linda stepping in, Elianna clenched her fists under the table, silently feeling indignant on Wyatt’s behalf.
At that moment, a maid approached and whispered something in Linda’s ear. Linda glanced at the seating chart and frowned. Why hasn’t Taylor brought Paul over…
Jensen entered through the doorway and took the second seat at the head of the table. He glanced at Wyatt, who still hadn’t taken his seat, and said with irritation, “Where’s Paul? The dinner’s about to start. He thought he could act like someone else and ignore all decorum?”
Everyone subtly looked Wyatt’s way—they all knew Jensen was throwing shade. Linda had already tried calling Paul, but he wasn’t answering.
Just then, footsteps echoed from the hall. Linda smiled. “Paul and Ms. Taylor must’ve lost track of time talking. They’re on their way now.”
Hearing that, the guests exchanged glances. Sounds like Paul and Taylor are basically a done deal. Everyone turned to the door, waiting to offer well-wishes to the presumed couple.
Chapter 158: At the Table
Under the weight of all their stares, she didn’t flinch; she simply ignored them and walked with composure toward Wyatt.
“Sorry to keep you waiting,” she said softly, leaning down and meeting his cold gaze. Knowing he was angry, Yunice whispered, “Save it for later, okay? Yell at me when we get home.” She raised her brows slightly and pressed her lips together—an expression of sincere apology, quietly asking for forgiveness.
Wyatt held his cold expression for a solid half-minute before his eyes dropped to her hand. Yunice, sharp as ever, held out her hand like a servant offering help to an old empress. Only then did Wyatt take it, rising to his feet with her help.
Yunice quietly breathed a sigh of relief. Wyatt’s a bit dramatic, but at least he’s easy to coax. Everyone at the table stared as the two of them walked over and sat down together, hand in hand, exchanging stunned glances with each other.
Almost as soon as they were seated, the old man finally made his entrance. As the eldest of the Powell family, Jackson naturally came in last, with all the weight of tradition behind him. He sat down and first looked toward Wyatt and Yunice, then noticed two empty chairs. His brow creased. “Who’s missing?”
Jensen shot Linda a glare, and Linda couldn’t have looked more embarrassed. She’d already sent someone to find Paul, but not only was the boy missing—Taylor was nowhere to be found either.
Seeing Jackson’s face begin to sour, Linda quickly improvised. “Paul’s with Ms. Taylor. They must’ve gotten caught up talking.”
Others around the table jumped in, laughing to lighten the mood. “Exactly, young people! Let’s not box them in with rules. Love’s more important,”
Jackson’s face eased up slightly. If Paul and Taylor were really getting that close, it was a good thing. He said, “It’s been years since the Powell family added a new branch.” Then he looked at Wyatt. “You’d better not let your child fall behind Paul’s.”
The side relatives chimed in with chuckles. “Age gap doesn’t matter—if Paul’s kid comes first, Mr. Jackson’s dream of seeing four generations under one roof could finally come true.”
Everyone at that table was a pro. Not a single word was wasted.