Chapter 19
He complained, "Emily, you really went all out. I feel like my bones are broken. How are you going to make it up to me?"
I looked at him with a smile, "Then next time you can try getting even closer and see if it meets the standard for hospitalization. I'll cover all the expenses?"
Oscar almost rolled his eyes at me, "Women truly can be the most ruthless. I'm your fiancé, you know. If you really hurt me, there won't be a replacement."
I couldn't help but laugh, "Oscar, can't someone have more than one fiancé?"
And just like that, he slept on the floor that night.
The next morning, there was a knock on the door. "Mr. Lopez, are you awake?"
Oscar grabbed his blanket, rolled over onto the bed, lifted my covers, and slipped in, "Yes, I'm awake. We'll get up in a bit."
The servant outside responded, "Mr. Robert Lopez said he's taking you to the church today to register and enter you into the family genealogy book. Please get ready, Mr. Oscar Lopez."
"Got it," Oscar replied. The relaxed smile from moments ago had gradually faded, replaced by an unmistakable coldness in his eyes.
I noticed the change in his mood, "What's wrong? You don't want to go?"
Oscar let out a cold laugh, "Why would I want to? To protect his own reputation, he sent my mom and me abroad. My mom died with the reputation of being a mistress. Back then, why didn't he think about entering us in the family genealogy book? Now that they need me, they suddenly remember. But I stopped needing this a long time ago."
Watching his disdainful smile, I actually found him more genuine than usual—at least more so than his daily custom-made mask of a smile. "So what are you going to do? Didn't he say he's taking you in a bit?"
Oscar lightly rubbed his nose twice, "It won't happen."
Right—someone who built a huge empire from scratch in Solstice and suddenly rose to rival the native-born Michael couldn't possibly be someone who could be manipulated.
If he really wanted to play games, he could easily toy with them.
Wait—
I suddenly realized he was still pressed against me. Wasn't this blatantly taking advantage of me?
My face felt a bit hot. I elbowed him in the chest, "Nice performance just now. 'Who would enter without permission?'"
Oscar clutched his chest and bent over, "Could you at least give me a warning? You're too harsh with these sudden attacks."
I looked at him and raised an eyebrow slightly, "So you'd better be careful from now on. When no one's around, it's best not to get too close to me. Next time, who knows where you might get hurt."
Oscar quickly pulled the blanket over himself. "Women truly can be the most ruthless."
When we got up, washed up, and went downstairs, I didn't see Gregory or his parents again. But Robert was there, and when he saw us coming down, his face was full of smiles. "Did you sleep well? The guest room was prepared on short notice. Stay there for a couple of days. I've had someone clean up the small courtyard next door. You can stay there—it's just a wall away, so it'll be more convenient for you."
Oscar smiled and responded, "Thanks, Dad. Everything's fine."
Robert looked at me, "Emily, I'm really sorry about yesterday. Don't worry, Gregory was drunk yesterday. We'll all be family in the future. I hope you won't take it to heart."
I lowered my head with a slight smile, "I was also startled yesterday and didn't pay attention to the situation. I was also at fault."
The chef placed breakfast items on the table one by one. Oscar gentlemanly pulled out a chair for me. While eating breakfast, he asked Robert, "Dad, I heard earlier that you're taking me to the church today to register in the family genealogy book?"
Robert took a light sip of hot milk and nodded, "Yes, now that you're back, once you're registered in the family genealogy book, others will recognize you as my son."
Oscar asked casually, as if it didn't matter much, "If I'm registered in the family genealogy book, does my mom's name have to be included with mine? I don't really understand this, but the family genealogy book can't just have your name without my mom's, right?"
Robert hesitated, his face uncertain, frowning as he didn't know how to answer.
I just kept my head down, eating breakfast, silently applauding his preemptive strike. Robert's wife was a daughter of a wealthy family in Emerald City. Back then, the Martinez family was second to none in Emerald City. Because she was their only daughter, when they married, they made Robert promise never to take a second wife.
With the Martinez family's full support, Robert gradually built what became The Novagen Group. Later, when the Martinez family members passed away one after another, ownership of The Novagen Group officially transferred from the Martinez family to the Lopez family. Because of that written promise, even after they died, Robert didn't dare remarry. Many news media outlets had reported on them multiple times with topics like "deep marital love," so now, when Oscar proposed having his mother registered in the family genealogy book, it simply couldn't be done.
"Oscar—" After some thought, Robert slowly began, "About registering your mom in the family genealogy book, let's discuss that later. After all, your mother has passed away and can't care about titles or status anymore. You're different—you're my son. I've already announced it publicly. Today is just a formality."
Oscar's expression remained unchanged as he raised an eyebrow, "Oh—so you're saying my mom can't be registered? That's quite unfortunate. But since you said we'll discuss it later, we can talk about it when there's an opportunity."
Robert's face showed a pleased expression, "You're a sensible child."
Just then, the butler rushed in from outside, looking somewhat hurried, "Mr. Robert Lopez, Mr. William Lopez called. He said The Novagen Group's project on the west side of the city has been investigated for incomplete permits."
Robert remained calm, "I've already cleared things with the authorities for the west side project. There won't be any problems. Tell William to mention Abigail Rodriguez."
The butler quickly said, "Mr. Lopez said he already mentioned her, but it doesn't seem to be working."
Robert put down his breakfast, "Bring me my phone."
I looked at Oscar. He cheerfully put a piece of bread on my plate, "You should still eat a good breakfast. Hope you can get used to it? If not, just say so directly. My dad said to treat this as your own home."
Watching his confident smile, I knew he was probably the one behind this. No wonder he was so certain when he told me the church visit wouldn't happen.
Sure enough, moments later, Robert was putting on the coat the butler brought while giving instructions, "Oscar, I have some things to handle. Today, just show Emily around. Call me if you need anything. We'll talk about registering in the family genealogy book after I'm done with this."
Oscar waved at him with a smile, "I'm not in a hurry. You take care of your business first."
Watching Robert leave, the smile on Oscar's lips remained, but his eyes grew colder bit by bit.