Chapter 390: How Are You Getting Better and Better at Acting Cute?
When Daniel heard this, he finally calmed down. His tone softened a bit as he said, "Well then, I'll be watching closely."
The relationship between Daniel and Andre wasn't close enough for them to share everything.
Once he had the answer he came for, Daniel left first.
Not long after he left, another shadow fell across Andrew.
He looked up and saw it was Rodolfo.
Andrew took the initiative to nod and greet him.
With the crowd around tonight, there was no time for conversation beyond simple greetings.
Now, after walking up to him, Rodolfo said kindly, "Does Mr. Hamilton have time to play a game of chess with me?"
Andrew nodded and replied politely, "It would be my honor."
Rodolfo led him into the inner hall.
Once they were seated across from each other, Rodolfo picked up the chess box nearby. While placing the pieces, he said to Andrew, "We crossed paths a few times briefly in Emerald City before, but we never actually had a chance to sit down and talk.
Tonight we finally have the opportunity."
Andrew didn't interrupt, simply waited for him to continue.
"I want to ask—is Mr. Hamilton serious about Olivia?"
Andrew had already seen it coming.
He replied seriously, "I'm never not serious about anything I do."
Rodolfo's tone was flat as he said, "Is that so? Then are you prepared to marry her in the future and accept Bianca as well?
You two might still be in the honeymoon phase of dating right now.
But in the future, if you get to the point of marriage, you might end up fighting because Bianca isn't blood-related to you.
And from what I heard, your family is pretty strongly opposed to this!"
There was a clear demand for an explanation in his words.
Andrew didn't deny or make excuses. He nodded and said, "Your information is correct, that's true.
However, I will handle it."
Rodolfo asked in an indifferent tone, "How will you handle it? I've had people look into your grandfather—his thinking is stubborn and he cares a lot about family status.
He's lived almost a whole lifetime, and a man like that doesn't change overnight.
As Olivia's family and teacher, I won't have her walking into your home just to navigate his moods and absorb his grievances."
These concerns mirrored Andrew's own thoughts and concerns perfectly.
He smiled and said, "Don't worry, I won't let that happen.
Until I've fully resolved things on that front, I won't let her appear before my grandfather."
"Is that so? How long do you plan to take?
On top of everything else, so many people in Harmony City don't think well of you two, and now our Olivia is facing all kinds of slander. How do you plan to handle that?
You're excellent, I won't deny that, but Olivia isn't less than anyone else.
The world outside may think she's not good enough for you, but in our eyes, we think no one is good enough for her!"
His tone grew heavier toward the end, as if carrying the weight of everything Olivia had been put through lately.
Andrew understood. He didn't take the tone personally.
He had always known that his Olivia was treasured like a gem in her family's eyes.
And she was the same in his eyes.
He smiled and said, "What a coincidence, I share your view. Only people with good judgment can appreciate how wonderful Olivia is.
As for the outside slander, it will all disappear very soon."
At this point, Andrew looked at Rodolfo meaningfully, "You've already done quite a bit for her on that front, haven't you? Leave the rest to me!"
Rodolfo raised his eyebrows and looked at him, "You know what I've been doing?"
Andrew nodded, "I do. Recently, I've seen all the groundwork you've laid for her.
I think you're doing this hoping that in the future, no matter what Olivia faces, she'll have more confidence."
He paused. "However, in my view, it's not quite enough."
"Really?"
Rodolfo laughed at that. "Not enough? Why? In my view, it's already enough."
Whether it was Tomas or Marigold, with their protection, Olivia at least wouldn't be bullied by just anyone in the future.
And if the Hamilton family dared to bully Olivia in the future, it wouldn't be so easy anymore.
The Savage family and the Walsh family were no worse than the Hamilton family.
At least Olivia standing beside him would have more confidence than now!
Andrew realized he had misunderstood Rodolfo's intentions in paving the way for Olivia.
Rodolfo's expectations weren't as high as his.
Rodolfo just wanted Olivia to have more choices in the future, that's all.
But he was different—he wanted everyone to know how excellent Olivia was.
He kept that to himself and said nothing more, just quietly played chess with him.
When the game ended, Andrew had lost by a small margin.
Seeing this, Rodolfo raised his eyebrows and said, "You're quite good at pleasing people. You deliberately let me win."
Andrew had seen the opening to block Rodolfo's advance. He'd chosen not to take it.
Andrew said politely, "First time playing chess with you, thought I'd humor you!"
His answer made Rodolfo both amused and annoyed, "Who asked you to let me win? I can handle losing just fine!
Also, we haven't finished our earlier conversation."
Andrew smiled, "No rush. There are some things I haven't arranged yet, we can talk next time.
It's getting late tonight, you should probably head back to rest soon, right?"
Reminded by him, Rodolfo checked the time.
It really was getting late.
However, he was too lazy to go back and forth tonight and planned to stay over at Olivia's house.
Andrew didn't say anything more and focused on collecting the chess pieces from the board.
After the family dinner wrapped up, everyone went their separate ways.
Andrew was the last to leave.
Before he could go, Bianca seemed to sense it and wrapped herself around his leg, looking very sad.
In her sweet little voice, she asked sadly, "Why doesn't Daddy stay at home?
You haven't come back in so long, stay and keep Bianca company."
Bianca swayed her little hands acting cute, her soft tone simply irresistible.
Any other night, given how much Andrew doted on Bianca, he would have caved without a second thought.
But tonight, with Rodolfo, Victoria, and Vaughn all there,
Andrew, as a boyfriend who hadn't yet earned the elders' approval, didn't want to push their boundaries for now.
He ruffled her hair gently. "Be good, Bianca. I've been busy lately, but in a few days I'll come keep you company, okay?"
Bianca pouted, "No, no, Bianca wants Daddy to tell bedtime stories, pretty please?"
To get him to agree, Bianca even put on a pitiful expression, her big watery eyes misting up a bit.
As if she would cry any moment if Andrew refused her.
Olivia watched the whole thing, quietly amused.
Bianca, after just a few days, how had she gotten even better at acting cute?
She'd never seen Bianca cling to her like this before.
It made her a little jealous!