CHAPTER 38: AN UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER

"You must be Sophia?"

The first words came from Nancy.

She was dressed elegantly in deep green, a shawl draped across her shoulders. Her looks were so well preserved that she could’ve passed for a woman in her thirties.

Next to her stood Anthony, looking no older than forty—strikingly handsome, with features that echoed Lucas’s.

For a moment, Sophia forgot how to breathe.

Just then, six little figures came bustling out of the kitchen.

Angela carried a tray of fruit, Charles followed behind with desserts. One after another, the kids darted around, busy as bees.

"Mommy, you’re back!"

Sophia blinked. When had her six little ones learned the basics of hosting like this?

"Uncle, Auntie, hello. I’m Sophia."

Nancy’s face stayed stern as her eyes swept over Sophia from head to toe. "Lucas never told us he was getting married. We only found out when we saw the posters overseas. So we rushed back overnight."

"Auntie, I’m sure Mr. Hilton didn’t mean to keep it from you. Honestly, it’s me who’s surprised you came so suddenly."

Off to the side, Harper stiffened, her voice awkward. "I’ll get you some water."

"No need," Nancy said smoothly. "The children are very thoughtful. They’ve already set out food and drinks for us."

She rose from her seat, circling Sophia twice before stopping directly in front of her. Then, unexpectedly, she smiled.

Sophia froze under her gaze.

"Did I scare you, child? It’s our first meeting, and I didn’t bring anything too extravagant. But since you’re marrying into the Hilton family, of course I’ll treat you well!"

Nancy clasped Sophia’s hand, and before she could react, slid a jade bracelet onto her wrist.

"This piece has been passed down from my husband’s grandfather’s time. It belongs to the future daughter-in-law. And now, I’ve finally found its rightful owner."

"Auntie, I can’t accept this—it’s far too precious!"

"Precious? Nonsense! Take it. You don’t know how long I’ve been waiting for Lucas to settle down. Years ago, when the old man declared that if Lucas wasn’t married by twenty-eight he’d lose his inheritance, I was furious. But now... I think maybe the old man had a point!"

The bracelet was firmly clasped around her wrist before Sophia could protest further. She felt almost dizzy at the sudden turn of events.

"Auntie, I—"

"Did I frighten you just now? That was intentional. I wanted to see if my future daughter-in-law had any courage. And it seems you do. The more I see, the more I like you!"

Sophia hesitated, then said quickly, "Actually, Auntie, I also prepared a gift for you. I didn’t expect you’d arrive so soon, so I’ll give it to you early."

She brought out the jewelry case.

Inside lay a full sapphire set worth over eighty million.

"Oh my! Husband, isn’t this the set we saw at that international auction? The one the mysterious buyer snatched at the last minute?"

Anthony kept his face composed, silent until his wife nudged him sharply.

"Enough, don’t keep pretending. You’ll scare our future daughter-in-law. Look closely—isn’t this the very same set?"

He gave a single nod.

"Sophia, so you were the mysterious buyer back then..."

"Mom, it’s just a small token for you. Please don’t dislike it."

The word slipped out before Sophia realized what she’d said. The entire room went silent.

Nancy recovered first, her smile widening. "I love it. Thank you."

Sophia’s cheeks burned crimson. "Auntie, I didn’t mean it like that, I was—"

"From now on, I am your mother. And that rascal of a son—I’ll deal with him tonight! To think he’d dare keep his marriage from me!"

Sophia sat there dazed. She wasn’t even sure how her words had gotten so twisted.

"Grandma, Grandpa, try some dessert!"

Little Faye popped a sweet into their mouths.

Sophia pressed her temples. This first meeting with Lucas’s parents was... nothing like she had imagined.

Anthony and Nancy didn’t linger. After a single glass of water, they were already preparing to leave.

"Auntie, Uncle, let me drive you back."

"No need, we have a driver. You just take a good bath tonight and wait for us to come pick you up tomorrow!"

Before Sophia could protest, they swept out of the house on their own terms.

Sophia felt her head spin. Only when the door clicked shut did peace finally return.

"Mommy, what’s wrong?"

"Shouldn’t I be asking you that? Out with it, little ones—what happened while I was gone?"

Sophia had only stepped out for her meeting, yet somehow Lucas’s parents had dropped straight into Silver Lake Villa. Normally they’d never have been let in, but apparently someone familiar at the gates recognized them.

On top of that, Billy had once hacked into a genetic database and seen a photo of their grandfather, Anthony. That was how they realized instantly who the visitors were.

And when Nancy laid eyes on the six children, she understood immediately why Lucas would marry Sophia. The warmth in her expression revealed it all—she adored them.

To prevent any kind of future "mother-in-law vs. daughter-in-law" strife, the kids had thrown themselves into action, serving them fruit and dessert, winning Nancy over completely.

Sophia collapsed onto the sofa in helpless exasperation. Somehow, things were spiraling out of her control.

"Mommy, Grandma and Grandpa are amazing! Look!"

Faye proudly pulled out a card.

"You accepted gifts from them?"

"Grandma said we should buy snacks with it. After all, the whole Hilton Group is ours to squander someday."

Sophia’s blood pressure skyrocketed, and she sank deeper into the cushions.

Harper’s expression turned complicated at the sight.

...

Blackstone Manor.

"My son, you’ve grown bold. Getting married without telling your father and mother? Making decisions behind our backs?"

Lucas’s gaze slid to the sapphire ring on Nancy’s hand. His voice was steady, certain: "You’ve met Sophia."

Nancy glared at him. "Lucas, I’m talking about your behavior. It’s very bad. Don’t you dare change the subject!"

"Are you satisfied?"

"...Satisfied."

Lucas’s lips curved ever so slightly.

Nancy realized too late she’d walked into his trap. Huffing, she stomped over to Anthony and plopped down beside him. "Husband! Your son is bullying me!"

Only once they were home did Anthony’s stoic face finally soften. He wrapped an arm around his wife and murmured, "It’s all right. After tomorrow, someone will finally keep him in check."

But when it came to serious matters, he sat upright again. "Lucas, I don’t want you marrying just because of the will. And those six children we saw today—they’re yours, aren’t they?"

The resemblance was undeniable. One look at them and there was no doubt.

"They’re mine."

"Then why have you never told us?"

"The truth is complicated. The process... a little absurd. And this ending? It’s only the beginning."

Anthony’s eyes sharpened. "Come to the study. Now."

Nancy pretended she didn’t care, staying curled on the sofa. But the moment the men went upstairs, she slipped quietly to the door and pressed her ear against it.

Eavesdropping.

At first, her lips curved into an irrepressible smile. But just as the conversation neared its critical point—the voices inside went silent.

The study door flung open.

Nancy stumbled forward and landed straight in Anthony’s arms.

"Eh? Husband, look at that—doesn’t the paint on the wall look like it’s peeling?"

She scratched at the air as though inspecting the wall. Anthony couldn’t hide his amused smirk. "It’s late. Let’s rest. We have guests to host tomorrow."

From behind, Lucas watched their retreating figures, his expression cold and unyielding.