Chapter 8
Arabella chimed in. "Yeah, yeah, did Alexander really move on that fast?"
Seeing these two bring it up again, Gaia shot them a fierce glare.
Isadora's clear voice rang out. "Just because they can't find Celeste, does that mean Alexander should never marry or have kids? He can marry whoever he wants—what's it to you?"
Linda's face stiffened.
Arabella was secretly fuming too.
Vivienne tried to smooth things over. "Alright, everyone's been waiting so long, you must be hungry. Come on, let's go eat."
Second Uncle Nathaniel chimed in cooperatively. "Yes, I'm hungry. Let's go eat."
As they got up, Linda discreetly pinched Nathaniel hard.
Nathaniel yanked his arm back and scolded in a low voice. "What are you making a fuss about?"
Lila was starting to get the picture.
She didn't dare judge the elders, but Isadora was definitely Alexander's real sister—the siblings talked exactly the same way.
The dining room had a very long rectangular table with flowers arranged in the center.
After everyone took their seats, the servants brought out the food.
The same dishes were placed in front of each person, and once they'd eaten most of it, the second course would be served.
Lila felt like this whole setup was like eating at her and Alexander's wedding banquet.
Alexander sat right beside her.
This was actually their first time eating together. His movements were very elegant, and every gesture revealed the refined bearing that only a wealthy young master could have.
For a moment, Lila found herself curious.
What kind of woman was Celeste, to make the unpredictable Alexander so unable to forget her?
She must be really exceptional, right?
"By the way Lila, when Alex came home to pick you up, he couldn't find you. Where were you this morning?" Gaia suddenly asked.
Lila instinctively glanced at Alexander.
Alexander met her gaze just as smoothly, except his look was a warning, a threat.
Lila turned to Gaia and tactfully told a lie. "I went to my best friend's house. We were job hunting together."
"You didn't go there last night, did you?"
"No, I went this morning after I woke up."
Gaia asked again. "You went right after waking up, so you didn't eat breakfast?"
Lila was about to continue lying and say she had eaten, when she heard Gaia speak again. "Now that you mention it, I just realized—there isn't a single servant in that newlywed home of yours. How about this, I'll send over a few capable people from the main house to take care of you both."
"No need." This voice carried a chill—it came from Alexander.
"What do you mean no need? You can't make Lila suffer just because you're a germaphobe and don't like outsiders in your house, can you?"
He doesn't like outsiders in his house?
Wasn't she an outsider in Alexander's eyes too? And didn't she still get in?
Just as Lila was thinking this, she heard Alexander answer without missing a beat. "Lila said she doesn't like having other people in the house, disturbing our alone time together."
Lila was completely shocked by Alexander's words.
She'd agreed not to badmouth him in front of Gaia, but that didn't mean she could be thrown under the bus like this!
Was he serious?
"Then what about your meals?" Gaia asked again.
Alexander answered. "Lila said she'd take care of the cooking."
Gaia looked at Lila with disbelief. "Lila, did you really say that?"
"I..."
Just as she started to speak, Alexander's gentle yet threatening gaze turned to her, with a kind of coaxing tone. "Just tell Grandma the truth." Lila fell silent.
Like I'd believe that.
Lila took a breath, gritted her teeth, and met Gaia's gaze with the resolve of someone facing death.