“Charlotte, you finally made it.” Ian was the first to greet her, shing a grin. “Three

Mia rolled her eyes. “God, could byou /bbe any more cringe?”

ster, and somehow, you’re even prettier.”

Tan clicked his tongue, felgning offense. “Excuse you, this isn’t cringe. It’s called bhaving /bsocial skills.”

“Whatever.” Mia looped her arm through Charlotte’s and started pulling her away. “Come on, don’t waste your time on him.”

Lena, ever the polite one, walked over to her brother, Jordan, and sat down beside him. “Hey, Jordan,”

Jordan barely looked up, offering a slight nod. “Mm.”

Charlotte took a seat next to Sean. “Sorry to keep you waiting ”

His voice was warm. “You’re fine, we just got here too.b” /b

Then, his gaze shifted to the girl sitting quietly nearby. “Aren’t you going to say hello?” His tone carried a hint of reprimand.

The girl pursed her lips, clearly reluctant, before mumbling, “Hello.”

?Sean’s expression turned cold, his brows knitting together.

Charlotte tilted her head slightly, curiosity flickering in her gaze. “And you are?

Sean’s tone was indifferent. “bShe’s /bmy sister, Vivian Xander.”

Oh, so this was Vivian Xander–the Jasper family’s adopted daughter.

Charlotte bhad /bheard of her but had never actually met her until now. From what she knew, Vivian hadn’t been raised in the main bJasper /bestate and had spent thest few years studying abroad. She must have retumed recently.

Sean’s eyes darkened. “Vivian, Charlotte is my fiancée–byour /bfuture sister–inw. Is that really how you greet her?”

His voice bdropped /ba few degrees,ced with authority. “Who taught you that?”

Vivian stiffened. “Sorry, Sean.”

Sean’s expression bdidn’t /bease. “And who should you be apologizing to?”

Vivian clenched her fists under the table. Tm sorry, Miss Riley.” This time, her apology sounded much more sincere.

Charlotte waved it off, forcing a small smile. “bIt’s /bfineb, /bwe’re family. No need to be so formal

The tension at the table was suffocating. She couldn’t believe they were already at odds on their first meeting. This was her future sister–in- Law?

Charlotte turned to Sean, her gaze soft. “Sean, don’t be so harsh

Almost Instantly, the coldness in his eyes faded, reced by warmth. He gave her a faint smile, “Alright.”

Vivian watched their exchange, her fingers curling into fists beneath the table.

Across the room, Mia smirked. “bMiss /bbXander/b, you’re looking a little pale. Should I call someone to take you to the hospital?” Her voice was innocent, but the mockery was clear.

Vivian’s expression darkened. “That won’t be necessary.”

Mia rolled her eyes. “Tch. bWhat /ban act.”

She didn’t know Vivian well, but her instincts told her this girl wasn’t easy to deal with. The hostility toward Charlotte was obvious

blin/b, sitting beside her, caught her whisper and tugged lightly on her sleeve under the table. “Mia, bcool /bit. She’s bSean’s /bsister. Give bher /bsome

Mia narrowed her eyes at him. In the next bsecond/b, she grabbed a chunk of his arm and pinched hard.

“Try that again, I dare you.” She bared her teeth, eyes shing with vengeance.

wrong/b! Let go, please! It hurts!b“ /b

Just then, the door swing open.

“Sorry I’mte–traffic was a nightmare”