Isabella said, “If he refuses to give up, then tell him he can work with the O’Connors, but only on the condition that the legitimate head of the family is present for the negotiations. Mr. Longbottom is just a stand-in. Before the true head returns, he doesn’t have the authority to make decisions.”Tati burst out laughing. “I think he’ll explode from anger when he hears those words, Isa. Everyone knows that he wants to be the official head of the family. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have the totem, seal, or token.“No matter how many people he bribes, he’ll never become the true, legitimate head of family.”As for the Longbottom family members who wished to flatter Mr. Longbottom would acknowledge him as the head, while those who were righteous would disapprove of his position. The previous head of family and his family had been killed a few years ago. The identity of the culprit was a no-brainer. “Mr. Longbottom has done much over the years to look for the totem, seal, and toke
Isabella got up and sat on the sofa. Austin opened the door. He entered with her lunch in hand. “It’s time for lunch, Ms. Isabella.”Austin placed the dishes he had prepared on the table. Since Isabella was the only one eating, he made a main with three side dishes, all in a single portion.She had a fussy mouth. Since not many foods were to her liking, her appetite had always been small. Isabella looked at the dishes. The menu had changed from yesterday’s, but the food still looked amazing. Austin scooped half a bowl of soup for her to start with and warm herself up. Actually, Isabella did not feel cold as there was a heater in the room. She was also wearing her usual work outfit without any outerwear. Even if she needed to head out, putting on outerwear was unnecessary because she simply had to take the elevator to the parking lot and get into the air-conditioned car. She only put on a thick jacket when she had to inspect the manufacturing factory. “You can expl
Isabella smiled and said, “You bought local delicacies? I went sightseeing in my free time but never considered buying them.“Maybe because I’m picky and didn’t think they’d taste good.”There were rarely any local dishes or snacks Isabella enjoyed whenever she was in other places. “Every time I travel somewhere, I’ll buy some of the local specialties for my family to have a taste. If I got too much, I’d give them to my relatives and friends.”Austin always had a smile on his face as he spoke. Whenever he talked to someone with a smile, it would be easy for the other party to misunderstand that he had a crush on her. Even someone as calm as Isabella was always in a good mood whenever she talked to Austin. No wonder Tati had a good impression of Austin during their first meeting and often praised him. It had led Isabella to think that Tati had fallen in love with him. “Have you eaten?”Isabella averted her gaze to avoid looking at Austin directly.She enjoyed her lunch eleg
Austin replied, “Okay. I shall do as you ask so long as you don’t judge my table manners.”“You look cultivated and gentlemanly. Although I haven’t dined with you, I guess your table manners aren’t that terrible.”Austin smiled. He thought, ‘As expected of my wife. She has such keen eyes.’“By the way, there’s something I want to ask.”Austin looked toward Isabella and waited for her to continue. “Do you want to go home during the holidays? It’s a long journey back to Wiltspoon from Satbury. I heard the winters in Wiltspoon aren’t cold at all.”Austin replied, “Will someone else take care of your meals if I go home? If so, I do wish to go back. My nana is old. She hopes all her grandchildren will be home for the festive season.“All of us are usually scattered in different places due to work. It’s difficult for us to gather in one place at the same time.”Austin did not lie. Isabella had investigated Austin before. She knew he had a biological brother and many cousins. The
Austin said, “Even if Louis grows up, he might not be capable enough to take over. Although you’re a woman, you’re still in the O’Connor family. Why does gender matter when you’re already competent enough?”The York family never had such thoughts. His nana had said that if all of them were capable, the eldest would be chosen as the successor. If the eldest were incompetent, she would choose the most competent one to take over. The heir did not always have to be the eldest son or grandson. Competency was valued above anything else. If a daughter were capable enough to be the successor and willing to accept the responsibility, she would be more than welcome to do so. Of course, no one would force her if she did not want to take over. Based on how much the York elders yearned for a baby girl, Austin thought that even if he were to have a niece or daughter in the future, they would not let her be the heir. They knew being the head of the family was exhausting and would not bear to
Only a handful of people knew about the younger lads of the Yorks. For example, no one in Rowan’s school knew he came from the York family and hardly anyone in high society had met him either. Grandma May had always protected their privacy before they were of age to join the workforce. She would not let any external factors disturb their lives. She would only start taking them to banquets if they did not want to further their studies and wished to work. At those banquets, they would introduce themselves to everyone as young masters of the Yorks. Whether they could leave an impression on the masses depended on their capabilities and influence in Wiltspoon. If the York brothers wished to work their way up, Grandma May would not take them to banquets and allow them to climb the social ladder themselves. Upon hearing Austin’s words, Isabella was excited. “It seems like there are many business opportunities in Wiltspoon.”“It depends on the industry. Business has been slow for
“Admiration might be the young buds of love.”Tania encouraged her son, “Treat her well and cook good food for her. Once you capture her stomach, she won’t be able to leave you, and you’ll succeed in courting her. “I don’t know how your nana chose such a picky girl for you.“I think all the candidates your nana has chosen for you boys are food lovers because she’s a food lover herself,” said Tania resignedly. Serenity, Camryn, and Hayden were food connoisseurs. Since Dylan had given up on the girl Grandma May had chosen for him, they did not know whether the mysterious girl he liked would also be a food lover. If all the York brothers married women who enjoyed eating, it would be a food haven whenever they gathered for special occasions. Tania could not help but laugh upon imagining a scene where the gourmands were gathered together. The food lovers were skilled at cooking as well. Camryn was an exception because she was blind previously and could not cook. Although she h
After a moment of silence, Austin said, “How would you have your daughter-in-law if Isabella was born into our family? If you feel bad for her, you can shower her with love after she joins the family and treat her as your daughter, just like what you’re doing with Serenity.”Austin felt his parents loved Serenity as if she were their biological daughter. Even if they did not interact much or lived with Serenity, they still got along well with her whenever she and Zachary visited them at the manor. There had been no conflicts between Tania and Serenity at all.Austin thought his parents were great in-laws. They never interfered with their son and daughter-in-law’s lives, nor would they badmouth their daughter-in-law in front of their son. They were also good at keeping their distance when needed. That was a good thing. Tania said, “I only have you and Zachary. I have no hopes of getting a daughter, and I don’t even know if I’ll get a granddaughter. Since I have two daughters-in-