Max went through the motions of formally introducing Felicia to everyone once more. No one displayed the slightest hint of awkwardness, greeting her as naturally as they would any returning family member. Felicia politely returned their warm hellos.
Hawthorne Manor was exceptionally lively today. It had been quite some time since the family gathered for a proper meal like this.
Luke was absent. Miranda instructed Rose to give him a call, but Rose explained he was tied up with business.
"You need to pay more attention to Luke's matters," Miranda gently chided. "It's time he settled down."
Rose could only nod in agreement. She was already entirely exasperated by her son's romantic life. Originally, she thought Ivy was a wonderful match for him, but the two simply didn't click. Instead, Luke had entangled himself with Willa, the Manning family's adopted daughter. Rose often regretted not introducing him to other eligible women sooner, especially since those prospects were still waiting for a chance.
Yet Daniel had a point. Being with Willa was far better than Luke endlessly pining over Felicia. Rose was at her wit's end with him. His stubborn streak was even worse than Max's. They had meticulously cultivated him from childhood, charting out a flawless career path. But as he grew, so did his fierce independence and unyielding opinions. His father had given him an ultimatum to either join the corporate empire or enter the political arena. Luke rejected both, engaged in a explosive argument with his father, and alienated himself. He went abroad to study, earned his own money, and founded Light Chaser from scratch, refusing a single cent from the family. Even when Rose tried to slip him funds, he adamantly rejected them.
During that period, she had suffered endless headaches, caught between pacifying her furious husband and trying to reason with her rebellious son. She knew Luke simply loathed the suffocating constraints of his lineage. So if he was determined to be with Willa, what could she possibly do to stop him? Her husband was still entirely in the dark about the romance, and she had to figure out how to break the news to him carefully.
Looking at the three brothers, it was clear no elder could truly control any of them. Daniel was perhaps the most manageable, but only by a slight margin compared to Max and Luke.
During dinner, Felicia sat comfortably between Max and Anne.
Max picked up a piece of food and placed it on her plate.
Felicia glanced at him. "I can get it myself."
"Alright," Max replied softly. "Just take whatever you're craving."
"Mom, try this one. It's delicious." Anne proudly placed a breadroll filled with sweet jam onto Felicia's plate.
"Thank you, sweetheart. Make sure you eat a good dinner too."


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