Their eyes met, intertwining like their breaths.
An inexplicable, ambiguous atmosphere began to thicken between them.
Not far away, Old Mr. Blackwood watched the perfect pair on the dance floor, grinning so wide his eyes nearly disappeared. "Old Mr. Lancaster, look at those two kids! Don't they look perfect together? A handsome man and a beautiful woman—a match made in heaven!"
Old Mr. Lancaster's eyes immediately widened. “Pah! In your dreams, Old Mr. Blackwood!"
Old Mr. Blackwood chuckled. "Look at them, they're already wrapped up in each other's arms. Isn't this a sign that something good is about to happen? Old Mr. Lancaster, don't be a cruel grandfather and try to break them up.”
Old Mr. Lancaster was so angry his mustache bristled. "Just a dance, and you think you can whisk away the precious granddaughter I just found? Not a chance! I'll nail the windows shut on that idea!"
"Hey! You old rascal!" Old Mr. Blackwood was not pleased. He poked the wheel of the other man's wheelchair with his cane. “What do you mean, 'whisk away'? Our families arranged a childhood engagement! It's in black and white, with binding signatures and formal family seals. Are you trying to go back on your word?"
"You have the nerve to bring up the childhood engagement!" The mere mention of it infuriated Old Mr. Lancaster. “Old Mr. Blackwood, who was it that got me drunk back then, and while I was all muddled, tricked me into this so-called engagement! You're cunning and unscrupulous!"
Back then, his granddaughter was still in his daughter-in-law's womb, and Old Mr. Blackwood already had his eyes on her. He even tricked him into signing the engagement papers while he was drunk. It was clearly premeditated! The man was a beast!
Recalling his past stroke of genius, Old Mr. Blackwood was incredibly smug. He lifted his chin and stroked a non-existent beard, his expression utterly self-righteous. "The process doesn't matter. The result is that our families have an arranged engagement. That's an undeniable fact."
He then grinned slyly. "What? Is the great head of the Lancaster family planning to be a dishonorable man who goes back on his word?"
"You... you!" Old Mr. Lancaster's finger trembled as he pointed at Old Mr. Blackwood, looking like he was about to leap out of his wheelchair.
Seeing Old Mr. Blackwood's smug face, he snorted coldly To protect my precious granddaughter's reputation, I'll be dishonorable! I'll be a petty man! So what?"
Old Mr. Blackwood hadn't expected Old Mr. Lancaster to become so shameless.
"You old codger, you can't play like that! Have you no shame?"
...
The two old men bickered like children, trading barbs and glares.
But the atmosphere was clearly one of familiarity and affection that could only exist between friends of several decades.
Finally, Old Mr. Blackwood turned angrily to the Lancaster couple standing nearby. "That old codger is impossible to reason with. You two talk!"
Catherine and Edward glanced at each other and smiled helplessly. "Nicholas is an impeccable young man, and we are certainly satisfied with him.”
“However, this matter concerns Serena's future. Everything will be her decision. We won't interfere."
"Besides..." Catherine looked at her
Pel
dazzling daughter on the dance floor with Nicholas, her eyes filled with boundless tenderness. “Serena has only just returned to us. We missed twenty years of her life and feel we haven't cherished her enough yet. We'd like... to have more time with Serena."
Edward put his arm around his
wife's shoulders and nodded. "That's
right. We'll respect Serena's Wishes
in everything. As long as she's happy."