CHAPTER 32: CHAPTER 32: WHAT’S GOING ON WITH THIS MOTHER AND SON?

The servant quickly arrived at the backyard temple and respectfully greeted upon entering, "Good day, Madam. The old master invites you to join him for dinner."

Eliza Hayes stood before the Buddha, her eyes closed as she replied, "I know," her tone calm and composed, devoid of any joy.

The servant bowed and left, knowing this was a place no one wished to linger, bearing an air of taboo.

Nanny Warren watched the servant depart and then turned her gaze back to the middle-aged woman, "Madam, even for the old master’s sake, please don’t be too hard on the young lady. This granddaughter-in-law was personally chosen by him."

Eliza Hayes opened her eyes, set down the Buddha Beads, and turned to say, "Nanny Warren, I find you particularly interesting."

"Madam, I just..."

"I want to meet the girl simply to assess if she poses any threat to me." Eliza Hayes sneered, taking a step outside, "As for whether Adrian Lancaster marries, it has nothing to do with me."

Indeed, she didn’t care.

Nanny Warren followed her with a heavy heart, hoping this young lady’s arrival might change the Lancaster Family’s past situation.

The dining room in the main villa was brightly lit, with a lavish spread of dishes covering the table. The shrimp dumplings and crab roe buns were freshly made in the evening.

Arranged by the grandfather, Adrian Lancaster had already taken his seat.

"It’s alright, Faye, you sit too." The old man knew what she was being cautious about and said with a smile, "In our Lancaster Family, there aren’t so many rules. Adrian’s mother will be here soon; you sit first."

Faye Turner smiled and had just seated herself beside her husband when Nanny Warren accompanied Eliza Hayes to the doorway. The keen-eyed servants quickly greeted respectfully, "Good day, Madam."

"Mom." Adrian Lancaster rose, offering a respectful greeting.

Faye Turner also stood up politely.

Eliza Hayes’ eyes landed directly on the girl beside her son, meeting her daughter-in-law’s gaze.

Faye Turner smiled, bowing respectfully, "Hello, Aunt."

But the mother-in-law’s gaze... tranquil yet filled with icy shards, cold and cutting, causing Faye Turner’s smile to stiffen a bit in awe.

"Eliza." The old master was pleased to see her, "Come sit quickly."

"Dad." The middle-aged woman’s expression only softened when she looked at him, and she stepped forward to sit beside him.

The old master waved to the young couple, "Sit, sit, Adrian, Faye, sit down and enjoy the meal."

Throughout the meal, Faye Turner remained polite, sensing the family’s atmosphere suddenly shift, feeling the complex relationship between mother and son.

Her son brought his partner home for the first time, yet the mother seemed so indifferent?

Even when Adrian Lancaster greeted her, she did not respond.

Could she be... a stepmother?

And where was Mr. Lancaster?

Faye Turner pondered many doubts, feeling Mrs. Lancaster’s gaze occasionally turning towards her. Trying to fend off panic, she exchanged glances with her mother-in-law five or six times during the meal.

As night fell, stars dotted the sky, and a bright moon hung on the treetops, while lights illuminated the villa.

Grandfather leaned on his cane as he escorted them to the courtyard. Adrian Lancaster, even as he left with Faye Turner, hadn’t heard his mother say a single word.

This left Faye Turner baffled.

Sitting in the rear seat of the Lamborghini on the way back to town, the man stared at the night scene outside the window, his eyes deepening with increasing intensity, feeling the agony of an old, never-healed wound ripping open, clear and apparent.

Seated a shoulder-width apart, Faye Turner glanced at the handsome face, feeling for the first time that this man, who seemed to dominate every aspect like a deity, also had his fragile side.

Despite having more money than he could spend, was he yearning for familial affection?

As the car neared Aqua Flora Residences, the absent-minded man turned his gaze to ask her, "Did Grandpa say anything to you today?"

Bathed in warm yellow light, Faye Turner met his gaze, feeling he appeared to be worried about something.

The girl quickly withdrew her gaze, "Well... Grandpa asked me when he might get to hold a great-grandson."