CHAPTER 223: CHAPTER 223: HALF A YEAR

Just in time for lunch at home, there were only six people in total.

Besides Grandpa Pierce, Sylvie Pierce’s parents were also there. As soon as Landon Sutton arrived, everyone’s eyes were on him, sizing him up and whispering quietly with satisfaction.

"Grandpa Rhodes, it’s been a while. I didn’t bring anything back for you on this sudden visit, hope you don’t mind," Sylvie Pierce greeted Shane Royale as soon as she walked in.

Shane Royale clearly liked her a lot, smiling as he said, "It’s great that you’re here, have a seat. We’ve just served the food, eat while it’s hot. Let me know if you like anything, and I’ll have someone make more."

"No problem, Grandpa, I’m not picky. I’ll eat anything."

The seats left were just two empty ones next to each other. After Landon Sutton took his seat, Sylvie Pierce naturally sat down beside him.

"I’ve watched Vincent grow up, he’s been excellent since he was a child."

"You’re too kind, Grandpa Pierce."

"Oh, if my grandson had half your capability, I’d have much less to worry about."

After hearing Grandpa Pierce’s words, Shane Royale started to criticize Vincent Rhodes, eventually bringing up his status as an older single man.

Grandpa Pierce sighed and said, "Young people these days are in no hurry. Look at our two, the elder brother has a partner but isn’t rushing to marry, and Shirley doesn’t even have a boyfriend."

"I really think Vincent is a good kid." Sylvie’s mother smiled with satisfaction at Vincent Rhodes and said, "You two knew each other as kids, you were childhood sweethearts. You’re both still single now, so it seems like fate. You might as well give it a try. If you get along, it would be wonderful for our families to become in-laws. What do you think, Old Master Rhodes?"

Shane Royale glanced at Vincent Rhodes, quite aware of what his grandson was thinking and feeling.

Though Shane Royale personally hoped Vincent would forget Shannon Quinn and choose to marry Sylvie Pierce, given the longstanding bond between the Rhodes and Pierce families and how much more suitable he thought Sylvie was for their family.

Yet, he didn’t dare to promise, knowing his grandson’s temperament well.

He said, "I don’t have an opinion, but it still depends on what these young people think. I’m afraid Vincent might not know how to cherish people, and it would be pity for Shirley."

Mrs. Pierce immediately said, "I think Vincent is a reliable young man, much better than those smooth-talking playboys out there. Shirley, what do you think?"

Sylvie Pierce smiled shyly, giving Mrs. Pierce a resentful look.

"Both of our families are so close, no need to be shy. You’re both at the age for discussing marriage, and Vincent just retired, you’ve returned home, why not give it a try? I think it would be quite suitable."

Vincent Rhodes put down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth with a napkin, ready to express his thoughts. But Shane Royale seemed to anticipate his thoughts and quickly said, "Sure, let the young people spend some time together first. I have no objection to Shirley marrying into our family."

As he said this, Shane Royale also gave Vincent a meaningful look, indicating he’d talk privately later.

After lunch, once the Pierce family had left, Shane Royale took the initiative to call Vincent Rhodes, "Come to the second floor."

Vincent followed him up and sat down in a chair before Shane Royale even began with, "Tell Grandpa your plans."

Seeing Shane Royale so at ease, Vincent sat on the opposite sofa and said, "I plan to bring your great-grandson back."

Shane Royale glared at him, "It’s been so long, and you’re still hung up on that woman?"

Vincent lowered his head, his eyes cast down, tacitly admitting all that Shane Royale had said.

"Look at you and your lack of ambition. Is that woman a reincarnation of a fox or something? Has she cast a spell on you?"

Vincent then said, "Grandpa, Grandma passed away so early, yet you never liked any other woman, either. I think you should understand how I feel."

"Can you even compare? Your grandma and I were soulmates! What do you two count for?"

"She saved my life too. Without her, I’d probably be dead already."

Shane Royale was hearing this for the first time, not pursuing the details, but he understood that this woman was exceptional to him if she occupied his thoughts so persistently.

However, despite all that had happened, they married and divorced, and Shane still hoped Vincent would marry a woman from a large, reputable family.

"I don’t have many years left to fuss around. I just want to see you two brothers settled down, that way I can rest in peace when I go." Shane paused before continuing, "I’m giving you six months. Consider it a deadline for yourself, too. If within these six months she’s willing to come back to you, I’ll agree to your remarrying. But if there’s no progress, you should stop wasting your time and marry Shirley."

"Okay, six months."

"You promised yourself, don’t regret it after six months."

"Just make sure you don’t regret it."

Shane Royale gave him a resigned look and added, "Keep an eye on things with Shirley, don’t burn any bridges. I really think things with that woman won’t work out, and you might end up marrying Shirley. So, treat her well."

"Grandpa, if you like Sylvie Pierce so much, how could you bear to make her my backup?"

"What backup? This is leaving yourself with options. Just don’t drive her away, surely you need to see sense and give up those pointless ideas soon."

Vincent smiled, pulling up a photo on his phone and handed it to Shane Royale.

Shane looked at the child in the photo, then at Vincent as he said, "My son."

Although Shane couldn’t help but look at the picture again, liking the child, he feigned disdain by saying, "Looks just as annoying as you were at that age."

"So be careful not to spoil him when I bring him back."

"Huh, bringing him back is still uncertain."

Vincent smiled, took his phone back, saying, "I’ll be out on business abroad again."

Shane Royale gave him a fierce look and scolded, "You’ve led your good, honest brother astray!"

"My brother’s smart enough, there’s no need for my influence, right?"

Vincent didn’t rush to get back to Shannon Quinn, instead, he stayed at the company for a week.

Shannon Quinn continued her routine of going to and from work, somehow feeling like something was missing.

She noticed he hadn’t shown up for some time, and since he met Sylvie Pierce, he seemed to have stopped bothering her. It felt like a good thing, yet she couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t quite right.

As for what exactly was wrong, she couldn’t put her finger on it.