Chapter 119: Want to Hear Some Gossip?
When she mentioned Ximena, Atlas's expression grew cold.
"Are you really forcing me to lose my temper on what should be a pleasant occasion?"
Atlas's words instantly chilled the atmosphere in the room.
Amy, sensing trouble, walked over and sat down beside Atlas, tugging at his arm. "Atlas, what are you doing? It's rare for our family to be together. Don't be like this."
Then she looked up at Yvonne. "Mom, when Atlas wasn't home, you were always talking about him. Now that he's back, can you two please stop fighting?"
"We're family after all. Let's not argue."
"Amy's right!"
A commanding voice came from the staircase. Soon an elderly man, supported by the butler, slowly walked over.
"Grandpa, Atlas brought his girlfriend. Helena—she's so beautiful."
As Amy spoke, she got up and pulled Wesley over to me, introducing us with a smile.
Wesley's cloudy eyes held a sharp glint as they swept over me. He nodded. "Helena, welcome."
He waved his hand. "Sit, sit down."
Atlas pulled me back to the sofa, still looking casual. "Grandpa, you came down so slowly. Any later and Helena and I would've left."
"Really, who brings their girlfriend home for the first time and doesn't stay for dinner?"
Though Wesley's words were reproachful, there was no anger in his tone.
He glanced at me. "Helena, is your father Henry from the Lockwood Group?"
I replied, "Yes, that's right."
"No wonder you look familiar. When your father first started his business over a decade ago, we met. Your father is quite capable—building the company into a leader in just a few decades. Very impressive."
Hearing Wesley praise Henry made me uneasy.
Everyone knew that because of the Pemberton family's involvement, the Lockwood Group's sales had been declining. Yet Wesley brought up Henry's past achievements, which made me suspicious.
Fortunately, Wesley didn't mention Henry again after that, which put me at ease.
"Atlas, now that you're home, sit down and have a proper meal with your family. You just got here and you're already rushing to leave. What's the hurry?"
Wesley looked at Atlas with displeasure. "Once things at the company settle down, you should move back home. Don't always stay out. I worry when you're out there all the time."
"That might be difficult."
Atlas raised an eyebrow and smiled, glancing at Yvonne across from him. "I'm afraid if I move back, someone won't be able to sleep at night."
Yvonne frowned but held her tongue.
Wesley shook his head. "Fine, you're always like this. Do you really need to get married and have kids before you'll settle down?"
After speaking, he stood up and headed out. "Come walk with me."
Atlas didn't move from his seat. He raised our joined hands. "Is Helena coming too? If she's not going, I'm not going."
"You brat, this is your home. What are you afraid of!"
Wesley glared at Atlas, but his words were directed at Amy. "You show Helena around our house."
"Sure!"
Amy took my hand with a big smile. "Helena, let me tell you, the Lancaster Manor is huge. But usually it's just me here with no one to keep me company. If you marry in, it'll be so much livelier."
I couldn't refuse Amy's enthusiasm and had to stand up with her.
Atlas held my hand, reluctant to let go. I looked back at him. "It's fine. You two talk."
With that, I followed Amy's lead and walked out.
The backyard of the Lancaster Manor was an enormous garden with all kinds of flowers in full bloom. There was even a grove nearby with various birds.
"Helena, look, these two parrots were just brought back from abroad by my dad. I love them so much. When I have free time, I come feed them and play with them."
Amy smiled and handed me some birdseed. "Helena, try feeding them."
I found Amy strange. Yvonne and Atlas were like fire and water, yet she seemed close to Atlas.
She wasn't young anymore—she must understand what was going on in the family.
But oddly enough, Yvonne didn't stop Amy from being friendly with Atlas. That was strange.
I looked down at the birdseed she offered—it was sunflower seeds—but I didn't take it.
With Amy, whose intentions I couldn't read, it was better to be cautious.
"They are cute. I like looking at them, but I've been afraid of feathered animals since I was little. So I'll just watch. You feed them, Amy."
Seeing my response, Amy reluctantly withdrew her hand. "Since you don't like them, Helena, I won't feed them either. Let me take you to see the fish."
"My grandpa raises lots of cichlids. They're beautiful. Those fish are grandpa's treasures."
Without waiting for me to object, she pulled me to the pond.
In the water, cichlids swam back and forth, quite adorable.
"Helena, you're not afraid to feed the cichlids, are you?"
Amy held up some fish food in front of me.
I glanced at it. Seeing her harmless appearance, I took a small pinch of food and dropped it in the pond.
After feeding them once, I had no desire to stay with Amy any longer. She gave me an uncomfortable feeling.
I spoke up directly. "Why don't we head back? My shoes aren't very comfortable today. My feet hurt when I stand too long."
"Really? Should I have the store send over another pair?"
Amy was about to make a call, but I quickly stopped her. "No need. It's fine. They just hurt when I stand too long. I'll be okay after sitting and resting a bit."
Seeing my insistence, Amy reluctantly agreed. "Alright then, let's go back."
When we returned, I saw servants bustling about setting up dinner, but I still didn't see Atlas.
When she saw me, Yvonne came over with a fake smile. "Helena, you're young and beautiful—you and Atlas make a good match."
"You know, Atlas has some misunderstandings about me, but whether he accepts me as his stepmother or not, I have nothing but genuine care for him."
"About you two, honestly, I think highly of your relationship. But unfortunately, I just heard a rumor."
So the trouble was coming?
I actually felt a surge of anticipation, quite eager to go head-to-head with Yvonne.
I smiled. "What rumor did you hear?"
"It's about you and Knox. I heard you two were going to get married, but not only did the wedding fall through, you also sent Knox to the police station?"
So it was about that.
I smiled slightly. "The information you heard is outdated. Knox has already been released."
"By the way, our family is planning to sue him. Yvonne, do you want to hear the details? I can tell you slowly—it's all firsthand information."