The Bentley slowly pulled up in front of the Carlson residence. Through the gate and across the yard, Sophie saw Jeff standing by the window, constantly looking out.When he saw them, his anxious expression turned into a relieved smile.This smile, however, caused her heart to ache slightly, but she still smiled and waved at him.As soon as the car stopped, Jeff eagerly walked out of the mansion, leaning on his cane.Sophie quickly got out of the car and asked worriedly, "Grandpa, why did you come out?""Of course, I want to see you as soon as possible." Jeff squinted with a smile. Even though Sophie had agreed to move back so readily before, he was still worried that things would not go as planned. Now, seeing them return together, he felt reassured."Great-grandpa, you only wanted to see Mommy sooner. Don't you want to see Cherry too?" Cherry jumped down from the back seat, her bright eyes blinking as she playfully asked while already running to hug Jeff."Oh dear, did Great-g
"Then I want... I want Great-Grandpa you to always stay with me so that all my wishes can come true!" Cherry said with a smile, but sadness surged inwardly.'Great-grandpa treats Cherry so well… I don't want him to leave so soon.'Jeff thought it was just a mischievous trait typical of children, so he rubbed Cherry's head with a smile. "Okay, Great-grandpa will always be with you. When you grow up, I'll still be around to see which rascal has the guts and potential to marry my precious great-granddaughter."As they were joking, the mansion's door opened again, and the family's driver came in carrying a large school bag. Upon seeing Cedric and Sophie, he quickly bowed and greeted, "Elder Master, Mr. Carlson, and Mrs. Carlson, Mr. Tristan has finished school."Sophie was slightly taken aback when she saw Tristan following behind the driver. It had been just over three months since she last saw him, and he had grown significantly taller. His previously underdeveloped features had also
A luxury car slowly turned onto the wide road of a wealthy neighborhood.Melissa let out a frustrated sigh, her face wearing an upset expression. "Father is really something. It's not like we don't have any servants at home, so why would he insist we go to the supermarket to buy groceries? Not to mention that we were seen by Grace Dobbs. I can already imagine how she'll gossip about me to my friends."As the most affluent lady in the entire Imperium, the thought of having to go to the supermarket to buy groceries made her feel indignant.Upon hearing her complaint, Matthew maintained his gentle smile and comforted her, "It's just grocery shopping, isn't it? I think it's quite nice. It's been a long time since we last went out together like this, walking around and picking out ingredients. I actually think days like this have a slight down-to-earth charm."Having someone serve him in everything was much easier, but it also took away a lot of the joy. Instead, picking out ingredients
Naomi's enthusiasm swept much of the annoyance on Matthew's face away. However, he still declined, "I'd love to hear about your achievement, but I have some family matters to attend to tonight. I'm sorry.""Did something happen at home?" Naomi asked worriedly.Hearing the worry in Naomi's tone, Matthew chuckled heartily. "No, it's no big deal. It's just that my daughter-in-law and granddaughter have moved back in, and we're having a reunion dinner tonight.""Oh, I see. That's unfortunate timing, but it's okay. I've already shared my happiness with you over the phone, so I won't bother you further," Naomi said joyfully."Alright, goodbye," Matthew said with a smile as he hung up the phone, feeling much better. He glanced in the direction of the Carlson residence, knowing that home wasn't far away. He shook his head and began walking home.-Mrs. Carrie did not disappoint, bringing all her specialty dishes to the dining table.Looking at the table filled with a feast of scrumptiou
Cedric's seemingly casual remark caused Austin's carefully concealed expression, maintained since he entered the room, to change subtly. He turned to Sophie, his gaze complex and enigmatic, leaving her slightly uncomfortable.However, Cedric's remark, though pointed, stood firm in its truth."I see, so you're fond of multiflora roses," Austin remarked lightly, a faint smile gracing his face. Yet, inexplicably, Sophie felt a twinge of unease, as though she had erred somehow.Jeff, seasoned and perceptive, spoke up with a smile before others fully grasped the situation. "Since Sophie enjoys multiflora roses, let's have the staff purchase some tomorrow. With the weather warming up, there's plenty of space in the garden. We'll plant whatever Sophie fancies."Cherry looked up and added, "Mommy adores pink and burgundy multiflora roses."While saying so, her guilty eyes could not help but glance at Austin, and she could only swear inwardly, 'Papa Austin, although you treat Cherry very w
Jeff savored the sweetness in his mouth and commented with a smile, "The banana bread from this bakery is sweet but not greasy. The taste hasn't changed after all these years.""Yes, it truly hasn't changed." Matthew agreed, holding an unfinished piece of bread. "Dad, the bakery has been around for decades, hasn't it? Maintaining the original taste is no easy feat."However, sitting beside him, Melissa rolled her eyes. 'Isn't it just a piece of banana bread? What's the big deal?'"Only things that can't withstand the test of time change their flavor along the way. Some things will always remain the same no matter how many years pass," Jeff remarked.After Jeff said that, he glanced at Cedric and Sophie.Austin naturally understood the underlying meaning of his words, which were also directed at him. He forced a smile and said, "I also hope all great things will remain unchanged. It's getting late, Grandpa, Uncle Matthew, and Aunt Melissa, I shall head back now.”Seeing him rise t
"The one who's always been hurting her all along is you. Otherwise, would Grandpa need to fake an illness to push you two together? Cedric, if you need someone else's help to get closer to your own woman, don't you think that makes you incompetent?" Austin asked with a smirk, his eyes betraying a sense of gloom.Just hours earlier, as he pushed open the door to the mansion, he beheld a family gathered around the table for dinner. At that moment, only one thought raced through his mind: Austin Carlson was an outsider among the Carlsons.Mistakes of the past lingered like unhealed wounds, where even a gentle touch could evoke intense pain.Cedric's eyes narrowed dangerously, yet just as he teetered on the brink of an outburst, he managed to quell the anger swelling within his chest. "Are you trying to provoke me? Even if I hurt her before, she still doesn't like the bright red roses you cherish. And do you know why Soph doesn't like roses?"It's because I don't like them."Cedric ut
Sophie knew the villa's layout intimately, having lived there for three years. As she briskly walked to the room Jeff had prepared for her, her hand had just touched the doorknob when another hand covered hers.The unexpected warmth of the hand sent a flutter through her heart, and she looked up, avoiding direct eye contact."You...""This is my room. Yours is further down.""Your room?" She glanced at his face in surprise, realizing they had just passed what used to be their shared bedroom.Cedric seemed to read her thoughts. He smiled with a mischievous sparkle in his eye. "Our bedroom. I'll wait for you to move back in willingly."That room had been left vacant for five years. Unable to face a space filled with her presence yet devoid of her, he had occasionally stayed next door during his infrequent visits.The word "bedroom", already laden with intimacies, was emphasized by his tone, causing Sophie’s cheeks to flush. She struggled to suppress the indescribable feelings stir