Chapter 226
Brian shifted uncomfortably, his confident facade wavering for a split second. “I don’t think we’ve met before,” he replied, attempting to maintain his composure.
Rain glanced at Alexander, her mind racing. Was he bluffing to unsettle Brian, or had he genuinely seen this man before? Alexander wasn’t the type to make idle comments, and his piercing gaze suggested he was onto something. The air around the table grew tense as everyone seemed to pick up on Alexander’s subtle challenge.
Alyssa frowned, clearly sensing the tension too. “Brian’s been working hard at the court, so I doubt you’ve crossed paths,” she interjected, trying to steer the conversation away from her fiance.
But Alexander’s gaze didn’t waver. “Maybe… but I don’t forget faces easily p>
Brian’s nervous chuckle only deepened her suspicions. “Well, I’m sure it’s just a coincidence,” Brian muttered, his eyes darting between Alexander and the others. But Alexander remained composed, his stare unwavering. “Maybe,” he said, his tone cool. “But coincidences don’t usually sit well with me p>
“Please, can we just eat lunch and avoid unnecessary conversation?” Alyssa mumbled, her tone softer now, accompanied by a pout. It was clear she was trying to defuse the situation, though her unease lingered.
Alexander, sensing her discomfort, said nothing further, but Alyssa’s father, Mark, wasn’t ready to let it go. His voice cut through the tense air. “Alyssa is my only daughter, and I won’t allow just anyone… especially someone incapable… to simply take her away from us.” His gaze locked onto Brian, and the weight of his words grew heavier with each pause. “If you know deep down that you’re not worthy of her, then you should do what’s in her best interest. I expect you to know what that means p>
Brian swallowed hard, visibly shaken under the scrutiny, while Alyssa glanced nervously between her father and her fiance.
Rain wasn’t usually a fan of parents acting like this in dramas… quarrelling with their children’s choice of partners, especially when they came from common backgrounds. But knowing what kind of loser Brian was, she found herself silently cheering for Alyssa’s father to roast him even more!
“This is disappointing, Alyssa. We didn’t spoil you just for you to fall for someone who can’t even give you a proposal ring but is still proud enough to say you’re engaged,” Lyndon remarked, shaking his head.
“I brought Brian here thinking you wouldn’t judge him like this in front of Uncle Rock!” Alyssa reasoned, her voice tense.
“And yet, you had no problem judging my wife as if Carla is superior? In what way is she superior?” Alexander cut in casually before forking a piece of meat and offering it to Rain. Alyssa’s face paled, her expression tightening as she mumbled, “I already apologized p>
Rain’s face reddened as the atmosphere abruptly shifted. Moments ago, the tension had been thick, but now everyone’s eyes were on them. She quickly accepted the meat, chewing slowly and praying she wouldn’t choke from the sudden attention.
“Anyone who bullies my wife will have to deal with me directly. I don’t care if you’re family or not,” Alexander added casually, attempting to feed her again.
“Alexander, I can do it,” Rain protested with an awkward smile.
“Alexander?!” Alyssa burst with widened eyes. “Since when did you agree to be called that? You hate it p>
“Yeah, because it makes me feel like Alexander the Great… but my wife is an exception. She’s the only one I’m allowing to call me Alexander. It’s exclusive,” Alexander shrugged.
“Ugh, seriously!” Alyssa scoffed, looking visibly displeased.
“That’s enough,” Father Rock interjected authoritatively. “Let’s focus on lunch. Don’t ruin it with this quarrelling. If you have anything to argue about, save it for after the gathering and do it when you leave.” His tone immediately turned the atmosphere serious, and no one dared speak further.
Alexander continued to openly display his affection, making it clear to everyone how devoted he was to Rain. She could only smile and shrug, feeling a bit flustered but enjoying his attention. Soon, wine was served, and people began to stand and casually talk over drinks at the standing tables. Rain noticed Lyndon pulling Brian aside, likely to grill him with more questions.
“Care to have a drink with me?” Alyssa suddenly asked, signalling for Rain to follow her to a small round table nearby. She called over a servant to bring them wine.
As they stood at the table, Alyssa took a sip before speaking. “I’ll try my best to be nice since that’s what my cousin wants, but just know, I’ll be watching you. We love our family deeply, and we won’t let anyone drag us down by falling for the wrong person. I hope you understand that,” she said, taking another drink, her tone sharp but measured.
Rain remained calm, unfazed by the tension in Alyssa’s words. Meeting Alyssa’s intense gaze with a kind smile, she spoke with confidence, “I’m glad that Alexander grew up with such a loving and caring family. Not everyone is blessed with that. But don’t worry,” she continued, her voice unwavering, “because I love Alexander. Even if, in the eyes of others, I’m not the right person for him… I will make sure that I’ll be the right one in his eyes p>
Alyssa raised an eyebrow at Rain’s words but soon pursed her lips. Rain offered a sweet smile as she continued, “I want to have a harmonious relationship with everyone in the family like I do with Father-in-law, Uncle Ben, and William. I hope one day you’ll see me as your older sister, Alyssa p>
Alyssa’s expression softened slightly, but before she could respond, her phone rang. Rain noticed her sigh, and her face shifted into a conflicted one. Alyssa glanced at Rain and murmured, “Excuse me… I’ll just take this p>
Rain nodded, her gaze catching a glimpse of the caller ID. ’Sis Carla.’ It was unmistakably Carla Cartier.
Rain noticed the men gathered at a particular spot, their conversation drawing her attention. She walked to them because she was curious.
“By the way, cousin, you mentioned seeing Brian somewhere before. Where was it?” Lyndon asked.
Without missing a beat, Alexander swirled his glass, answering casually, “At the Gentleman’s Club. I’ve seen him there a few times. He’s probably a regular p>
Rain’s heart skipped a beat. Was Alexander bluffing? Or had he really seen Brian at the club? She felt a knot in her stomach as she glanced over her shoulder and saw Alyssa approaching them.