Chapter 372 Familiar Back Figure
Finn asked in a low voice, "Mr. White, so are you going to do something about it or not?"
"Let them make a fuss. None of them give me any peace. I think they won't be satisfied until they've driven me to my grave."
Preston wearily waved his hand at Finn, signaling him to leave.
Finn felt helpless but stopped trying to persuade him. He quietly opened the door, preparing to leave.
However, as soon as he opened the door, he saw a familiar person standing there.
"Mr. Lachlan White."
"Finn, I'm here to see my dad. Is he resting?"
Finn glanced back into the room, then stepped aside to let him in. "Please come in. Mr. Preston White hasn't been feeling well lately. Please spend some time talking with him."
"Not feeling well? What happened? He was fine when I came last time."
Lachlan frowned with concern and walked inside.
Finn looked at him, then slowly explained, "Actually, it's an old problem. He's had it before, but Mr. Preston White didn't tell you because he didn't want you to worry."
Everyone in the White family knew about Preston's health issues.
The way Lachlan said it made it sound like he had no idea at all.
Lachlan realized he'd said the wrong thing. His expression stiffened. "I thought Dad had developed some new illness I didn't know about."
Preston was leaning back in his chair with his eyes slightly closed. Hearing the conversation between Lachlan and Finn, he slowly opened his eyes.
"Lachlan's here?"
His tone was flat, revealing no emotion.
Lachlan crouched in front of Preston and held his hand, asking with concern, "Dad, Finn said your old problem is acting up again? Why don't we go to the hospital for a checkup?"
"No need. I have the medicine Sophia made for me. I feel much better after taking it."
His condition was mainly emotional, something he developed two years ago when news came out about Benjamin's death at sea.
If it weren't for Sophia helping him recover, he'd probably be dead by now.
Lachlan was still worried and continued persuading, "Why don't we go to the hospital for a full body checkup? I'd feel better if we knew everything was okay."
"Really, no need. Just keep Celestia in line and stop her from causing trouble. That would help more than any checkup."
Lachlan's eyes flickered. "Dad, you already know?"
Preston snorted coldly. "You're making such a big scene, it's hard not to know."
The way Celestia turned out now, Lachlan as her father couldn't escape responsibility.
Lachlan was always absorbed in photography, ignoring his family, leaving everything to Arabella.
And now look what happened.
A perfectly good child raised to have this kind of personality.
"I was against you being with Arabella from the start. See how things turned out?" Preston glanced at him coldly.
It wasn't that Preston looked down on Arabella's background. He just felt she was very calculating.
Back when Magnus was managing the company, Arabella would make a scene at home every day, saying he was playing favorites and didn't care about Lachlan, only thinking of Magnus when anything good came up.
But she never considered that Lachlan himself insisted on studying directing in college, and after graduation, he was set on being a photographer.
Lachlan had no ambition to manage the company, yet Arabella blamed him for giving the company to someone else?
If he'd really given the company to Lachlan to manage, the White family business would probably be ruined.
He probably wouldn't be able to rest in peace even after death.
Lachlan lowered his head, feeling a bit guilty. "Dad, I was too headstrong when I was young. I didn't teach Celestia properly."
"It's not too late now. Put more effort in. Don't wait until she does something that can't be undone before coming to me for forgiveness. I won't buy it."
"Okay, I'll remember that."
Preston slowly let out a breath and stood up from his chair with his cane. "Alright, let's go down. Dinner should be ready."
"Okay, let me help you."
Lachlan reached out to support Preston's arm and walked toward the door.
As they went downstairs, they happened to run into Sophia and Finnley, who were also heading down.
"Grandpa, Finn said you weren't feeling well again today? Let me check you over after dinner?"
"Okay, that would be great, Sophia." Preston's cold expression changed, showing a slight smile.
Sophia's lips curved into a smile.
Just watching her smile made people feel warm inside.
"It's no trouble. When you're healthy, we all feel better."
Sophia blinked playfully, her eyes sincere.
Preston was amused by her and shook his head helplessly. "You always know how to make me happy."
Sophia's eyes crinkled with her deepening smile. "I'm telling the truth. You're good to me, so I'm good to you."
Finnley stood beside her, watching this scene, unable to help the slight smile that curved his lips.
His Sophia always knew how to make people happy.
Even someone as serious as Preston couldn't help but laugh heartily in front of her.
Lachlan took in this scene and quietly looked at Sophia once more.
Just then, a cold gaze suddenly fell on him.
Lachlan turned to look and met Finnley's deep, unfathomable eyes.
He paused, smiled slightly at Finnley and nodded, then looked away. He said to Preston, "Dad, watch the steps. Don't just focus on talking."
Finnley walked at the back, his gaze falling on Lachlan's back, his expression momentarily dazed.
Sophia noticed he hadn't kept up and paused, looking back.
Seeing Finnley standing there in a daze, she asked with confusion, "Finnley, what's wrong?"
"Nothing." Finnley looked away and let Sophia lead him downstairs.
Alaric was called back to the company for a meeting at the last minute, while Cillian was filming. They didn't return until noon.
Alaric and Cillian happened to run into each other at the door and walked in together.
Once they arrived, everyone was finally present.
Preston instructed the servants, "Serve the meal."
The servants nodded and headed to the kitchen.
After a while, the dining table was filled with dishes.
Lachlan's family and Finnley's group sat on opposite sides of the table, with Preston at the head.
Sophia sat beside Finnley, directly across from Celestia.
Celestia glanced at her, rolled her eyes dramatically, then quickly lowered her head, pretending to eat.
Facing her provocation, Sophia chose to ignore it completely.
She picked up Finnley's favorite dishes and placed them in his bowl. "Honey, eat more."
"Okay." Finnley smiled slightly and reached out to ruffle her fluffy hair.