Chapter 384
A family reunited is truly a cause for celebration.
The old man was filled with emotion.
David Sullivan quickly nodded in agreement.
Isabella Sullivan then remembered she hadn't introduced her husband to Irene Valdemar.
"This is my husband."
Irene smiled slightly. "Your husband is so refined and handsome."
The earlier scrutiny and judgment had completely vanished from her eyes.
David gave a slight nod. "Hello."
His politeness held a trace of imperceptible distance.
Others might not have noticed, but Isabella was acutely aware.
She shot him a questioning look.
David shook his head gently, his eyes signaling they would talk later.
This sister-in-law gave him a feeling...
A rather peculiar one.
Even a faint sense of discomfort.
He decided to maintain his distance.
"Dad, are we still making the dumplings—"
Sophia Sullivan emerged from the kitchen and froze upon seeing everyone in the living room.
Her gaze finally settled on Irene.
Isabella smiled and waved her over. "Clara, come here."
Sophia walked over slowly.
"Sis, this is my daughter, Sophia Sullivan. Clara, this is your aunt."
Their eyes met. Sophia called out obediently, "Aunt."
Irene appeared calm and smiling on the surface, but inside, her mind was reeling.
This girl—
Wasn't she the one standing next to Alexander Laurent outside the Mercedes-Benz dealership that day?
She had even taken a photo and sent it to Sylvia Laurent.
She had asked if Alexander was seeing someone, but the other woman had been evasive.
Thinking back now...
Perhaps the Laurent family wasn't satisfied with this girl?
A flicker of amusement passed through Irene's eyes, instantly replaced by warm delight.
"Ah Min, your daughter is absolutely stunning! Even more beautiful than you were in your youth. Look at her figure, her face..."
A stream of compliments poured out.
"...What does Clara do now?"
Isabella smiled. "She's still in graduate school."
"At a university in Kyoto?"
"Yes, at MIT."
Irene's eyebrows rose slightly in surprise.
MIT...
She has some capability.
"Our Clara is so outstanding," Irene said affectionately, taking Sophia's hand. "Do you have a boyfriend?"
Isabella couldn't answer for her daughter and looked at Sophia instead.
The old man and old woman also turned their attention to her.
"No."
A dark glint flashed in Irene's eyes. So, not acknowledged by the Laurents.
But to have caught Alexander Laurent's eye, she must have some skills!
"A good girl doesn't worry about marriage. Our Clara is so exceptional, there's no hurry..."
Sophia, her hand held by Irene, listened to the string of flattery and felt extremely uncomfortable.
"I'll go check if the dumplings are ready."
She found an excuse and hurried away.
Soon, steaming hot dumplings were served.
David invited everyone to eat.
He also set out bowls and chopsticks for Irene.
"No need, I ate before coming."
Isabella urged, "Have a little more?"
Irene waved her hand. "Really, no."
The old woman glanced at her but said nothing, walking directly to the table to look at the dumplings. "David, what fillings did you make?"
David replied, "There's cabbage and pork, mushroom and corn, chive and egg, and cilantro beef. I made a variety of each."
"Thoughtful." The old woman smiled and sat down.
She preferred vegetarian fillings, while Isaac Atlante loved meat ones. Having both was indeed considerate.
The old woman's feelings toward David were quite complex.
When she learned her daughter was married with a child, she held reservations about this unfamiliar son-in-law.
It wasn't dislike, just too sudden, filled with uncertainty.
After all, the daughter in her memory was still an innocent young girl, but upon reunion, she was already a wife and mother.
Fortunately...
So far, this son-in-law seemed quite satisfactory.
Refined, meticulous, considerate, with good looks and education.
Though just a high school teacher, not immensely wealthy, it was a respectable and stable profession.
"The chive and egg and mushroom corn ones are very fresh," the old woman praised after tasting them.
Isaac had already finished one bowl and was serving himself a second. "Try this cilantro beef, that's really flavorful..."
David, feeling a bit embarrassed by the praise, scratched his head sheepishly. "I'm glad you like them. I made plenty, we can cook more if it's not enough."
"Don't just stand there, sit down and eat. You've been busy all morning, you've worked hard..."
David responded by serving dumplings and sitting next to Isabella. "It's no trouble at all. It's my duty."
The family's joyful atmosphere made Irene seem like an outsider.
She was out of place in this warm scene.
She subconsciously pressed her lips together, forcing a smile. "Mom, Dad, I made a reservation at a restaurant. Let's go out for lunch? To celebrate the reunion."
The old man frowned upon hearing this.
Restaurant food was too oily and salty, Florence Atlante's body couldn't handle it.
Isabella thought of this too. "Going out is too troublesome. Why not eat at home? Let David cook, he's quite good."
David quickly nodded. "I'll go to the market today and buy groceries. We'll eat at home."
The old woman beamed but said, "Won't it be too much trouble?"
"No trouble at all!"
Isaac, chewing on a beef dumpling, laughed. "Alright, we'll taste David's cooking at noon."
No one asked for Irene's opinion. The matter was settled.
After breakfast was cleared, David got ready to go out with his shopping cart.
Sophia put on her shoes and grabbed her jacket. "Dad, I'll go with you."
"Okay."
The market was full of David's acquaintances—
"Mr. Sullivan, you're later than usual today."
David nodded. "We have guests at home."
"Mr. Sullivan, the fish is very fresh today. Want one?"
"Need some beef? I'll give you a discount if you take the whole piece."
Someone recognized Sophia. "Is this your daughter? So pretty! Does she have a boyfriend? I have a nephew back home..."
"Come on, Mr. Sullivan's daughter is a graduate student at MIT! Is your nephew a match? Wishful thinking."
Others noticed the luxury car parked outside and guessed the guests must be wealthy or important.
David listened as the speculation grew wilder, patiently explaining, "My parents-in-law are here."
The fish vendor teased, "No wonder you're shopping so early. Trying to make a good impression on the in-laws, eh?"
David smiled without confirming or denying.
Sophia assisted her father the entire time, carrying bags, loading the cart, and handling payments, thoroughly enjoying herself.
Returning from the market, David immediately headed into the kitchen.
Soon, the aroma of stewed meat filled the air.
Isabella checked the time. "Should we call Sebastian? Ask him to come for dinner."
The old woman nodded. "He's probably still handling work at the hotel. Let him know first."
Isabella took out her phone only to realize she didn't have Sebastian Evans's number.
"Clara, call your brother and tell him to come for lunch."
Sophia was stunned for a moment before realizing Isabella meant for her to contact Sebastian Evans.
"Your brother"...
It was such an unfamiliar term.
But she would get used to it eventually.
She would.
And so would Sebastian.
Isabella asked Sophia Sullivan to contact Sebastian Evans.