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CHAPTER

The familiar dark eyes stared dead at her own dark eyes, as Willow gave an awkward smile to the older man. His wrinkled face held a stern expression, a mop of snowy white hair on his head slicked back, he was dressed in black formals. Even at his late eighties, the man had a fit body and had led a healthy life till date.

She looked at the old man, her grandfather, warily, it was the first time she met him after the incident in Abode Castle.

"Dad, why don't we keep the serious talk for later, our daughter-in-law had come for the first time. Let's be nice.", Aunt Cecilia said the last sentence with a warning.

The old man reluctantly nodded and withdrew his attention from her with a glare. She was relieved, her aunt had diffused the tension bit, she knew her grandfather would lectured her for a long time.

Not everyone was present, her grandfather was seated on the head of the dining table, to his right Uncle Jacob and Aunt Cecilia were seated, next to Aunt Cecilia, Evangeline and Jacob were seated. To her grandfather's left, the second eldest son of Uncle Jacob and Aunt Cecilia, Freddy was seated and next to her cousin she was seated. The youngest of them was absent, he busy vacationing with some of his buddies. Freddy seems nonchalant about the presence of the Jacob and Evangeline. Uncle James had this cold aura surrounding him.

Aunt Cecilia though was over the moon, she was animatedly talking to Evangeline, ocassionally offering meat.

She felt a nudge on her right shoulder, she turned to see Freddy giving her a mischievious smile, "Mom is so extra."

"Let her be, she's meeting her daughter-in-law for the first time."

"I feel like this peace won't last long.", Freddy motioned to their family.

She smirked at him, their eyes shining with identical mischief. They knew Jacob tend to avoid visiting the mansion to steer clear of the argument that accompanies his visit.

Their grandfather cleared his throat, his eyes on Jacob, his authorative voice asking, "When do you decide to get married?"

Willow looked at the blush that crept on Evangeline's face, she pity the woman for what stored next.

"We haven't decided yet, Grandpa."

She and Freddy stopped eating, readying themselves for the fun that awaits for them. They took great pleasure in the arguement of their family members.

"When do you plan on rejoining the business?"

"Grandpa, I don't think..."

'...BOOM...'

Her grandfather slapped on the table, his face impassive. Evangeline was startled by the sudden action and she stared wide eyed at the older man, fear gripping her heart.

"Do you still wish to continue working as a teacher?", his cold voice swept, causing shivers to ran through the occupant's spine. Except Freddy and Willow because they were immune to the scolding of their grandfather. They were the troublemakers of the family, always bathed by the strict words of their grandfather yet it never had any effect on them.

A vibration from her pocket indicates her of an incoming text. She pull out her phone and saw that Secretary Paul had sent her a message.

She clicked on the his name and read the text.

'Young Miss, the document holds the information regarding the issue you asked me to oversee. It will be a great opportunity for us.'

There was a document attached below the text. She clicked on it and looked up to see all her family members now arguing loudly.

She silently read through the information Secretary Paul sent her. An excitement coursed through her as her eyes land on the name, Nathaniel Jade. She is finally going to meet him at any cost.

She put her phone back and looked up and stared at her Aunt Cecilia, her decision made.

"Old man and his old son, chill out.", she rolled her eyes saying loudly to gain their attention, "Don't scare Evangeline off with your tactics."

This earned her more glares from the elders.

"It'll better that way if Jacob don't rejoin. Freddy and I will get more power over the business.", she said with sweet smile.

Freddy snickered and nodded. She saw her uncle rolling his eyes giving her an unimpressed look.

"What?", she mouthed with a shrug.

The rest of the dinner went in silence and peace with her aunt's occassional murmurs.

They were now seated in the living hall of the mansion. She sat sharing the sofa with Freddy, as they listened intently to the plans of the upcoming charity events. This was an annual event that was held on the name of the two late Madam Elliot, her grandmother and her mother. She never attended the event, but she took part in the planning. This time her grandfather had requested more like ordered Evangeline to take part as the future daughter-in-law of the Elliot, to which Evangeline had agreed after Aunt Cecilia coaxed her.

"Willy, how is the new edition going on?"

"The designs had been finalised, the crafting are being executed.", she said seriously.

"You planned for any advertisement strategies?"

"Nah, public seems to be already excited by the knowledge of the arrival of the new edition. And this time we don't need a vast range of customers, this edition consists of only 30 designs, each only made once.", she informed.

"I expect the best design to be mine, Willy."

"Well then you have to rise early and buy it before anyone else does.", she winked at her aunt, "I won't be of any help in obtaining the jewellery."

"You brat.", her aunt frowned at her.

"You are in jewellery business?", Evangeline asked hesitatingly.

"Yeah.", she simply nodded.

"They had the best design. My Willy has the greatest eyes for jewelleries.", her aunt suddenly shrieked and held Evangeline's hand, "We should go shopping and visit one of Willy's shop."

Evangeline gave a shy smile to the older woman, trying to find it difficult to refuse as the excited woman beamed at her.

"You should, inform me when you do, I'll give you quite the discount.", she said, "But not for you, Aunt."

"You ways loot me. Sometimes I feel like your employees take more money from me.", Aunt Cecilia narrowed her eyes.

"I won't dare to do such thing, Aunt."

"Anyway, Grandpa. I think Evangeline and I should go back, it's getting late.", Jacob informed.

"Why don't stay the night?", Aunt Cecilia intercepted.

"Mom..."

"Evangeline, please.", her aunt expertly moistened her eyes as she pitifully stared at Evangeline's eyes.

Her aunt was a drama queen, and people seemed to fall prey for her acting. She could see Evangeline looking conflicting, and Jacob letting out a exasperated sighed over his mother's emotional trap.

"Mom..."

"Jacob, it's okay. We can stay for one night."

Her aunt immediately brightened up as she heard Evangeline, "Yes, Jacob. Don't be a boomer. You can even stay in the same room.", her aunt winked at them.

Her family smiles at her aunt's antics.

Her grandfather had retired to his room while reminding her to meet him later. Aunt Cecilia went with Jacob and Evangeline to their room, a skip in her steps. Freddy and Uncle James was having a conversation. She waited for her Aunt to return.

When her Aunt descended from the stairs, she looked at her aunt, with a blank face, she said, "Aunt Cecilia, I have something to talk to you alone.", she rosed.

"Oh! Okay."

She went into the study room down the corridor, her aunt following her.

As they both entered the room, she turned to face her aunt, and the door closed she looked at her aunt with all seriousness.

"I brought Jacob and his fiance to the mansion. Now it's your turn to fulfill your part."

"What do you want, Willy?", Aunt Cecilia folded her arms.

"Valley Garden."

Her aunt's eyebrows raised immediately, curiously she titled her head, "The Valley Garden?"

"I heard the owner has decided to sell it off. And if my information are correct, the owner is a good friend of yours."

"Why the sudden interest in that piece of land?"

"Maybe I like the view.", she shrugged her shoulders nonchalant.

Her aunt narrowed her eyes, a sly smile, "It'll be done."

"As soon as possible, Aunt Cecilia."

"The first thing in the morning. I guess it is in great demand.", her aunt smiled.

"Thank you, Aunt."

"You're staying tonight?"

"No."

"Come on, Willy. You never stay here anymore.", her aunt pursed her lips, looking at her with puppy eyes.

"That doesn't work on me.", she said leaving her aunt behind, while her aunt protested behind her.

"I'm taking my leave, dear family."

A chorus of good night and byes resounded, and her Uncle reminding her to meet up with her grandfather later.

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