Chapter 646

Chapter 646

Seeing Simon's expression, Elizabeth's heart suddenly froze.

However, after just a second, she smiled and said, "Simon, think about it - actually, the probability is fifty-fifty. Your aunt's daughter either has a man or doesn't. If she has a man and had a child, the child is either a boy or a girl. So, I guessed everything right, didn't I?"

Simon immediately laughed, "Elizabeth, I didn't expect you to be so playful."

Elizabeth said, "Yes! Actually, I'm quite playful by nature."

Simon continued, "Let's not talk about her anymore. Just thinking about it annoys me. Truth is, I've barely even met this aunt - it's all ancient history from the previous generation. I've never even met this second-generation cousin."

After a pause, Simon added, "Actually Elizabeth, we're the ones who are truly blood-related. Your mom is my aunt, you're my cousin. I only have you and Harper as cousins, no one else."

Elizabeth nodded, "Let's go inside. We'll help my mom make lunch together."

"Sure!" Simon's mood immediately brightened. He suddenly remembered to ask, "I heard Donna is going to join some senior dance social club?"

Elizabeth laughed, "My mom has never been good at dancing. She plays the piano well, but her body coordination really isn't great. I wonder if she's been practicing dancing all week?"

"Let's go see."

Inside the house, Donna was preparing salad.

"Mom, did you actually practice dancing this week?" Elizabeth asked.

"Of course I did!" Donna said excitedly. She put down the vegetables, raised both hands, and demonstrated the moves for Elizabeth.

It actually looked pretty decent.

Elizabeth realized that her mom was actually a cheerful person who knew how to look on the bright side.

This came from the good values Grandma had instilled in Mom back then.

Despite Mom being discriminated against and rejected by Grandpa her whole life, she had never felt inferior.

Moreover, Mom was someone who could adapt to any situation.

It was like that with Oliver.

Later, when Oliver didn't want Mom anymore and kicked her out, when Mom married a crippled man from the countryside, she could still find joy in hardship and live a fulfilling life with Hugo.

"Mom, you can definitely do it."

Donna smiled, "Who knows? Mom just wants to meet more people."

"I support you, Mom!"

"I support you, Aunt!" Simon also said.

"I support you too, Grandma," Alice chimed in, as if afraid of being left out.

In the small living room, laughter filled the air.

Just as the atmosphere was warm and cheerful, Simon's phone rang. He picked it up, glanced at it, and his brow furrowed slightly.

"What's wrong, Simon?" Donna asked with concern.

"It's nothing, Aunt."

With that, Simon got up and went outside to answer the call, "Hello!"

A gentle voice came from the other end, "Simon, it's the weekend today. Why aren't you home?"

Simon's tone was quite cold, "Claire, do you need something?"

"My mom wants to come see Grandpa Jones today. You know, my mom has always treated Grandpa Jones as her own father. She wanted to come see Grandpa Jones last week, but before you went to see him, you left for Paris."

Simon said, "Grandpa's health is very poor. It's not suitable for him to see outsiders."

The woman on the other end didn't seem to notice Simon's displeasure at all.

She continued with great enthusiasm, "We're not outsiders! My mom treats Grandpa Jones as her father, so I actually treat Grandpa Jones as my grandfather - my own grandfather."

"Claire."

After all, Janie was Dad's actual cousin, and Dad had been close to her since childhood. Now it was her daughter calling, so no matter how angry Simon was, he wouldn't let it show.

After a pause, Simon asked, "Have you and Aunt Janie called the old house?"

The woman called Claire immediately laughed cheerfully, "Yes, yes! At first Grandpa Jones wouldn't answer the phone, but then Uncle answered. Simon, you know Uncle really dotes on my mom, right?"

Simon fell silent.

"As soon as Uncle heard it was my mom calling, he immediately invited us to visit your house. We'll be at your place in about ten minutes."

Simon said, "Claire, you... don't..."

The woman called Claire had already hung up.

Simon fell silent.

Originally, he really wanted to spend the day at his little aunt's place, eat the food she made, and keep her company.

This was Simon's own wish.

It was also Grandpa's wish.

And even more so, Dad's wish.

Dad had told Simon, "Simon, although your grandpa wronged your aunt, there were times when I wronged your aunt too. When your aunt was little, I saw her a few times, but each time I found her annoying to the bone."

"It wasn't until Dad truly grew up and faced setbacks that I realized Aunt is Dad's legitimate blood sister."

"Simon, you must often go keep your little aunt company, understand?"

Simon could only nod solemnly.

He carried his father's hopes and his grandfather's hopes on his shoulders.

Only when Aunt truly accepted him could they slowly work on her, hoping that one day she would come home and accept Grandpa.

If Aunt accepted Grandpa, even if Grandpa died, he could rest in peace.

This was what Simon thought, and what Grandpa and Dad instructed.

But for himself, he also knew that Aunt was already very happy now. As long as she didn't associate with the Jones family, Aunt would be the happiest and most fulfilled. Every time he saw Aunt, Simon was torn.

Later, he decided that as long as he could make Aunt happy, why worry about whether she would be filial to Grandpa in the future?

Although Grandpa gave Aunt life, he never raised her for even a day.

So Simon decided he wouldn't aim for anything else first - just to make Aunt happy.

However, even this plan was interrupted today.

Simon felt an extremely strong anger in his heart, but he couldn't let it out at his aunt's place.

After hanging up, he controlled his anger and said to Donna, "Aunt, I can't have lunch here today."

Aunt's face immediately changed, "What's wrong, Simon?"

"It's nothing, Aunt. Something came up and I need to go back."

Simon didn't offer any explanation. He left without looking back.

He got out, started his car, and drove home.

Before even entering his own front door, Simon saw his aunt's daughter - who could barely be considered his cousin - holding a little girl's hand, standing outside the door and waving at him.

"Simon!" A woman in an elegant yet playful white outfit raised her hand to greet Simon.

"Simon, you're finally back! That's great!"

Simon didn't speak. He just got out of the car, parked it properly, and calmly walked up to the woman.

"Cousin."

Simon asked in an extremely sharp tone, "Claire, are you playing dumb?"