"Mr. Blackwood," Serena greeted politely, her eyes landing on the old man's face with a gentle smile. "You're looking much better."
"Ever since I started taking those herbal pills you specially prepared for me, I've been feeling better and better," Mr. Blackwood said, his face lighting up with excitement. "I reckon it won't be long before I can throw this cane away!"
Serena's eyes crinkled with warmth. "I'm glad you're feeling well, Mr. Blackwood."
"Serena, you truly are amazing! You have masterful skills in traditional medicine, and you can play the piano so beautifully!" The more Mr. Blackwood looked at Serena, the more satisfied he felt.
And the more he looked, the more he felt that his own disappointing grandson, who had nothing but a pretty face, was completely unworthy of such an outstanding
woman.
If only Serena were his granddaughter.
He truly envied—and was jealous of—Mr. Lancaster for having such a wonderful granddaughter.
"Alright, alright, Mr. Blackwood. No matter how much you stare, she's not your granddaughter," Mr. Lancaster said, seeing right through him.
A childish pride and smugness appeared on his usually stern face.
Even from his wheelchair, he held his chin high. "All you can do is look on with envy."
"What do you mean, not mine?" Mr. Blackwood scoffed, refusing to concede. "Our families arranged an engagement long ago! Once Serena marries into the Blackwood family, she'll be my granddaughter all the same!"
Mr. Lancaster slapped the armrest of his wheelchair, his eyes wide. "Marry into your Blackwood family? Nothing's even close to being settled! You're dreaming!"
"Whether I'm dreaming or not isn't up to you," Mr. Blackwood huffed. "In any case, we have the marriage contract, so Serena is as good as my granddaughter. So there!"
Mr. Lancaster was so incensed he almost stood up from his wheelchair.
Watching the two titans who once stood at the pinnacle of Vaelion City, master strategists who controlled its economic lifeblood, bicker like a couple of old kids was quite a sight.
Their back-and-forth was incredibly cheerful.
It was clear their friendship ran deep.
"Grandpa!"
A loud, high-pitched voice suddenly cut through the air.
Riley, sporting a wild shock of ash-brown hair, practically flew over.
He had been dragging his two buddies around the entire banquet, looking for his goddess.
But they had turned the whole place upside down.
It was as if his goddess had vanished into thin air; she was nowhere to be found.
He had even specifically asked the security at the door and confirmed that no one had left early.
Originally, Riley had wanted to take the opportunity to ask Brianna about his goddess's whereabouts.
But as soon as the performances
ended,
Brianna was swarmed by a
group of socialites. If he tried to
squeeze through, he'd be fending off flutatious glances
And so, Riley felt he had experienced another heart-wrenching "breakup."
He was holding a drink, playing the part of a brooding, heartbroken man, and wasn't even in the mood when Trevor nudged his arm to pout out a pretty girl.
Until Darius shouted, "Your goddess!"
Riley's head snapped up, and sure enough, he saw her. He was
who'd thrilled that, like a p
who'd been left home alone for.
long, he let out a yelp any
forward.
FindNovel.net
belongs to
As he got closer...
The music and chatter in the banquet hall were too loud.
He could only vaguely hear his grandfather say something about...
"Engagement"?
"Marrying into the Blackwood family"?
Grandpa... moves that fast?
He's already talking marriage with my goddess?
I haven't even had a chance to start pursuing her!
Oh man, this is a little embarrassing, hehehe~