Emilia cast a shy glance at Drake, expecting him to answer the question. Like they said, they had been together for five or six years. She was getting older. If she still couldn't get married soon, she would become the laughingstock in Sealand.
However, Drake didn't seemingly hear their questions.
A hidden trace of disappointment flashed through Emilia's eyes.
Drake walked to the Old Riley and said respectfully, "Happy birthday, Grandpa."
Emilia echoed, "Happy birthday, Grandpa. This is my gift to you. Wish you happy every day."
The Old Riley took the gift box over while smiling at her. "Wonderful! Thank you for the gift, Emilia. I'm so happy. I hope you and Drake can get married ASAP, so I'll have a great-grandson soon."
The Old Riley said those words to admit Emilia's identity in the Riley family.
Emilia replied shyly, "Please be patient, Grandpa. Drake and I are still young."
The Old Riley said, "Yes, you are, but I'm not young. If you don't give birth to my great-grandson, I'm afraid I cannot see him before going to Heaven."
"Come on, Grandpa!" Emilia pouted. "Stop saying that! You'll live healthy and long."
"You sweet talker." The Old Riley cast a doting smile at her.
Olivia Grant, the Old Riley's daughter-in-law, exchanged a look with Aria, smiling.
Olivia reminded the Old Riley, "Dad, didn't you say you would make an announcement to our guests tonight?"
Being reminded, the Old Riley said. "Right. I have good news to share with everyone. Ladies and gentlemen, thanks for coming to my birthday banquet. I want to take this chance to announce..."
Emilia looked tense. After this evening, she would become Drake's official fiancee. Even though Drake didn't respond to the Old Riley's words earlier, she believed he would surely obey his grandfather.
Suddenly, a Lincoln limousine appeared at Riley Manor's gate. A guest noticed it and exclaimed, "Isn't that Mr. Travis Lawson's car? He's the oldest son of the Pinkerton Lawson family. Is he also here?"
"The Riley family is indeed respected. The Lawson family never attended any banquets before."
The Old Riley had forgotten what he wanted to announce earlier. Wearing a smile, he looked at the entrance expectantly. Like the Riley family in Sealand, the Lawson family was influential in Pinkerton.
Earlier, they mailed the invitation card to the Lawson family but were told they wouldn't attend it.
Much to the Old Riley's surprise, they came tonight. The Old Riley wondered if they intended to give him a surprise.
After the rear door was opened, a black leather shoe appeared in sight first. An attractive man nobly got off and elegantly buttoned his suit jacket. Everyone held their breath when watching him.
"Is... Is he Mr. Lawson? He's more lovely than I've imagined."
"Oh, my goodness! How charming! I wish I could marry him."
"Help me! I'm fainting."
The man nodded at all the guests politely. Then he turned around and reached his hand into the car while covering the car roof gentlemanly.
Shortly after, a woman in a black dress appeared. Silence blanketed the house.
A long while later, one man sighed, "Sh-She looks gorgeous! Who is she?"
"She appeared with Mr. Lawson together, so she must be his girlfriend or fiancee."
"Argh! I envy her. She can marry Mr. Lawson."
Sophia naturally took Travis' arm. Travis' expressionless face cracked into a doting smile.
Everyone was stunned.
Sophia smiled at him sweetly and shyly.
In others' eyes, they were in love.
Watching the scene from afar, Drake felt it an eyesore.
Emilia glanced at him secretly and felt upset about his reaction. However, thinking that she was in Riley Manor and everyone would take her side, she stood more upright.
Taking Sophia, Travis walked to Drake and greeted him politely, "Good evening, Mr. Riley."
They both gave off the same strong auras.
"Nice to meet you again, Mr. Lawson."
They shook hands and let go quickly.
Drake couldn't take his eyes off Sophia.
Standing next to Travis, she wore a bright smile. The black dress made her slim figure more petite. Drake was attracted by her slender waist.
His eyes darkened, becoming steely, but he didn't realize it.
'What's her relationship with Travis Lawson?' he couldn't help wondering.
"Sophia Lawson? Why are you here? Who do you think you are to be here?"
Aria had seen Sophia long ago. She wished to hear the Old Riley announce good news about Drake and Emilia tonight but didn't expect Sophia to appear and interrupt the Old Riley.
Travis remarked unhappily, "Is this how the Riley family welcomes their guests? Sophia, let's leave."
"Apologize, Aria!" Drake ordered decisively.
Aria didn't forget how Sophia had embarrassed her in the shopping mall the other day. "Mr. Lawson, I did it for your own good. This woman likes playing with men's feelings. Think she loves you? You are wrong. She only loves your money. If she finds a man wealthier than you, she'll leave you..."
"Shut up!" Drake snapped.
Aria looked at him, aggrieved. "Drake, I'm telling the truth. Back then, she..."
Drake stopped her again, "I'm sorry, Mr. Lawson. My sister is too rude. I apologize on her behalf."
Aria gaped at him in disbelief.
Travis, however, didn't accept the apology. "I came to send my father's blessings to Mr. Nathan Riley. Since I'm not welcomed here, none of our Lawsons will come here again."
"Please stay, Mr. Lawson," the Old Riley arrived and said.
Walking to Aria, he glared at her. "How rude are you! Hurry! Apologize to Mr. Lawson."
Aria didn't think she had done anything wrong but told the truth. However, her brother and grandfather requested her to apologize, so she lowered her voice and said, "I'm sorry, Mr. Lawson. It's my fault."
A sneer played on Travis' lips. "You don't owe me an apology but the lady standing by me."