Chapter 15
I took off my veil and changed into a white dress. My long hair was pinned up high. Holding Oscar's arm with a bright smile, I appeared before Gregory.
Gregory looked at me with some confusion, but quickly looked away and turned to Oscar warmly: "Uncle Oscar, you're finally back. And this is..."
Oscar put his arm around my shoulder and said to Gregory, "My fiancée, Emily Wilson. This is the nephew I told you about - he's excellent."
Gregory looked at me again, his gaze deepening: "Emily?"
"You should call her Ms. Wilson. Don't be rude," Oscar said, tightening his arm around my shoulder to show how much he valued me.
"Ms. Wilson," Gregory said somewhat awkwardly. "You seem... familiar somehow. I feel like I've seen you somewhere before."
I ignored him, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear and looking up at Oscar beside me with a slightly whiny tone: "I've been on a boat for two days. I'm exhausted, and now I have to stand here in the wind talking?"
Oscar quickly said in a coaxing voice: "Okay, okay, we'll go right now."
Gregory hurried ahead: "Uncle Oscar and Ms. Wilson must be tired from the journey. The car is ready."
As Oscar and I walked forward, Gregory suddenly asked from behind: "Ms. Wilson speaks Lumarian very well. Have you been in Solstice all along?"
I glanced back at him with a natural smile: "Of course. Lumarian is taught worldwide now. I've been learning it since I was little."
Gregory said nothing more. From the corner of my eye, I saw him occasionally glance at my back. When he seemed to notice me watching him, he quickly composed himself, walked ahead to lead the way, and brought us to the car. Then he casually asked, "You don't look very old. When did you meet Uncle Oscar? When I visited him two years ago, I didn't see you."
Oscar helped me into the car. "I was still trying to win her over then. Hadn't succeeded yet."
Oscar affectionately handed me some fruit: "Feeling better now? Still dizzy? Eating some oranges might help."
"You get seasick too?" Gregory suddenly asked.
I turned to look at him: "Too? You get seasick as well?"
Gregory quickly smiled and explained: "No, I mean my wife. She can't handle boats. Once when we went out, we'd planned to go fishing at sea, but after getting on the boat, she just stayed in the cabin the whole time."
I felt like laughing. During that fishing trip, I had no idea Sophia would suddenly show up. She and Gregory were very affectionate, with him teaching her hands-on. If I hadn't stayed in the cabin, would I have had to watch them make me sick?
Why didn't I just slap them both right then?
"Sounds like you really love your wife. I'd like to meet her sometime if I get the chance." Hiding the contempt in my eyes, I smiled brightly at Gregory.
Gregory lowered his head, his expression full of sadness: "My wife... we had some misunderstanding. She ran away from home. I've been looking for her."
I showed appropriate surprise, covering my open mouth with my hand: "Ran away? Have you found her? A woman alone out there - what if something happens to her?"
Looking at my expression, Gregory shook his head firmly: "No, she's smart. She won't put herself in danger."
Oscar brought the peeled orange to my lips again, his voice indulgent: "Don't scare him. I'm sure she'll be found safe and sound."
I leaned against Oscar and smiled at him: "But I am curious - how can someone run away from home for three years and not come back? Did you do something wrong to her?"
Gregory's face turned bright red. He lowered his head, seemingly lost in thought.
After five hours of driving, as the sky gradually darkened, we finally arrived at the Lopez Manor. Getting out of the car, I saw quite a few people standing at the entrance, led by Robert, whose hair had turned gray.
I suddenly felt my nose sting. His health was already poor back then, and he'd coaxed me by saying the wedding would bring him good luck. Three years had passed, and he seemed even more aged.
Oscar gently tapped the back of my hand, bringing me back to the moment. He walked forward first and bowed his head to Robert, calling him Dad.
Robert looked at Oscar's face, his eyes moist: "You're back? It's good that you're back, Oscar. Your... your mother raised you well."
Oscar's eyes flickered slightly, his smile freezing for a moment before blooming again: "Yes, Mom always took good care of me. Dad, let me introduce you - this is my fiancée, Emily."
Facing Robert after so long, I still felt somewhat uncomfortable. I walked forward calmly and greeted him with a smile: "Hello, Mr. Lopez. I'm Emily."
Robert looked at me with delight on his face, seeming a bit unclear-eyed. He adjusted his glasses that had slipped down his nose and looked at me carefully. I seemed to hear him sigh: "You're Oscar's fiancée? I thought... Welcome, welcome. Oscar didn't mention he was bringing his fiancée home. Let's go inside first, we'll talk more at home."
Oscar naturally took my hand, nodded at William, whose face showed unclear emotions, and followed Robert into the villa.
Voices came from the bright hall: "Is this the Lopez family's Oscar coming back? You picked him up, right?"
"I heard the Lopez family's Oscar is quite successful now, doing big business in Solstice."
"No wonder..."
Sophia was the first to come forward, looking at Gregory behind us with joy: "Gregory, if I'd known it would take so long, I would have gone with you to pick them up."
Her gaze naturally fell on Oscar's face, smiling familiarly: "Mr. Lopez, do you remember me? We've met before. I..."
As she spoke, she finally noticed me beside Oscar, looking puzzled: "Who is this..."
Oscar smiled at her: "This is my fiancée."
He said nothing more, just followed Robert into the hall with me. I saw many familiar faces. Gregory's mother, Grace, was talking with my mom and several society ladies. When she turned to look at us, she smiled calmly and assumed the hostess's manner: "You've finally arrived. William and I have been busy all day preparing for the welcome banquet. Gregory, go greet the guests first and introduce your Uncle Oscar to them."
Robert turned and nodded at Oscar: "Good idea. Go with Gregory and meet people. It'll help with work later."
Oscar nodded at me and walked forward generously: "Emily, you chat with Grace and the others for a bit. I'll be right back."
Sophia walked up beside me, trying to link arms intimately: "Emily, haven't we met before? You look so familiar to me."
I dodged, keeping my distance from her, tilting my head with an innocent smile: "Even if I'm not your elder, we're not close enough for you to call me by my first name, are we?"
Sophia's face reddened, maintaining her usual sweet demeanor: "I just felt close to you right away and forgot I should call you Ms. Wilson. I'm sorry. Have you been in Solstice all along? Your accent doesn't sound like it."
The others were clearly curious about me too: "That's true. If you hadn't said anything, I would have thought you were Lumarian."
I smiled and answered: "It's not that strange. More than half the people in my neighborhood are Lumarian. We normally communicate in Lumarian."
Sophia seemed to be trying hard to remember. When I lowered my head, revealing the rose tattoo on my chest, she seemed to have a sudden realization and then pointed at me, screaming in horror: "I remember now! I know who you are! Mr. Robert Lopez, she can't marry Mr. Oscar Lopez. She's not a good person - she might even be a wanted criminal."