Chapter 518
“What are you saying? Am I really such an ill-hearted man in your eyes?” William demanded.
We haven’t even met each other! It seems like Tristan’s really smitten with this girl.
“I’m just reminding you to mind your attitude. Don’t make things difficult for her,” Tristan replied. He planned to leave right away if his father did not play nice.
“Even if I don’t like her, it doesn’t matter and won’t change your mind, right?” William snapped. He detested the notion that Tristan didn’t even care about what he thought.
“Dad, why do you think that? You know that we both respect you! It’s just that… Well, love can’t be explained,” Sarah muttered.
She was definitely on Tristan’s side.
“Quit trying to brainwash me. Let me meet her first. If I don’t like her, she won’t stand a chance to marry into our family,” William retorted.
He was not one to mince his words.
“In that case, it’s better if the two of you don’t meet,” Tristan declared. It was obvious that William was not at all keen to meet her.
He had only brought Sophie to meet him out of respect for him. However, William seemed to take that gesture to mean that he had the right to dictate who Tristan could be with.
“You—”
William thought Tristan was being too arrogant.
“What do you mean? How dare you use that tone against me for a woman? Where are your manners?” William berated.
“Tristan, refrain yourself,” Sarah reminded him. It was a happy occasion. How did it all turn out like this? “Dad, haven’t you always wanted to see Tristan get married? He finally found someone whom he wants to spend the rest of his life with. Why are you acting like this?” Sarah asked.
That was absolutely unnecessary.
“What? He’s finally found someone?” William found Sarah’s words incredulous. It was Tristan who had always given the socialites the cold shoulder.
“Okay, Dad. I was wrong. My point is he’s finally found someone he likes. Please don’t get in the middle of this,” Sarah pleaded.
“All right. Don’t you guys know I’m a well-mannered man? Even if I don’t like her, I won’t let it show. We’re going to talk when we’re back,” William said.
That should do it, right?
“I hope that you will respect my decision and don’t interfere in my matters. Even if you don’t like her, I hope that you will keep your opinions to yourself,” Tristan said.
After all, he would be the one to spend the rest of his life with Sophie, not William.
“You—” William stopped himself and instead said, “Well, now I’m really intrigued by this woman who has managed to charm you so.”
William had never seen him care about a girl so much.
His son had only gotten along well with Sarah in the family.
He never expected Tristan to change because of a woman.
William didn’t welcome the change, however.
After all, Tristan would be the successor of the Lombard Group. It wouldn’t do the group nor his son good if Tristan could easily be swayed by a woman.
Nonetheless, William knew it was not the time to make his thoughts vocal.
It would only serve to stoke the already burning fire in their relationship.
“All right. I will be sure to respect your girlfriend. Is that good enough for you?” William conceded. We’re just meeting each other. Is it really necessary to sour things from the very beginning?
“I hope that you can keep your promise,” Tristan said.
“Just look at him,” William lamented.
He was rendered speechless by Tristan’s defensive attitude.
On the other hand, Willow knew that Sophie was meeting Tristan’s family.
She was fervently hoping that the Lombard family would look down on Sophie.
After all, Sophie didn’t enjoy a good reputation here in Jipsdale.
“I’d like to see if she can still be that arrogant when she couldn’t gain Old Mr. Lombard’s favor! Doesn’t she always think that she’s the greatest? She’s only meeting his family, and yet things are already so tense. This can only mean that she’s not confident that she will be able to gain their favor, right? Hah!” Willow mocked.
Charmaine shook her head at Willow’s ill-conceived thoughts about her own sister.
The daughter that had once been her source of pride and beacon of hope had turned into this.
“Willow, what are you doing? Go out and take a walk. You’re going to get sick from staying at home all day. There are over a million on this card. Just spend it as you like,” Charmaine said. She still favored Willow.
“Mom, when do you suppose Sophie will finally be down on her luck? I’ve been waiting for that day to come forever. I won’t ever be happy as long as she’s still around!” Willow said, completely disregarding what her mother had just said.
“Willow, what are you thinking about? She’s your little sister. Besides, the matter with Clayton has nothing to do with her,” Charmaine commented.
Clayton only had himself to blame.
“Mom, haven’t you always taken my side? What are you saying now?” Willow retorted.
“I’m just worried about you. You’re not doing well mentally. Don’t care about others now. You should focus on yourself, all right?” Charmaine coaxed.
Even if Willow couldn’t marry into an ultra-wealthy family, she should at least try to get herself into a well-to-do family.
However, Willow had given up on grooming herself and didn’t even want to get out of the house. At the rate that things were going, how would she be able to marry into a good family?
“One more thing. Don’t bring this up in front of others. Do you think Mr. Tristan will let you off the hook if he hears about this?” Charmaine warned.
Doesn’t she know how much Tristan cares about Sophie?
Charmaine didn’t think it was wise for Willow to keep challenging Tristan’s bottom line.
Willow’s mental state was in a disarray now.
She had given up the hope of surpassing Sophie.
However, if given a chance to drag Sophie down, Willow wouldn’t even bat an eyelid to take it, even if it meant that she would get destroyed too.
Willow didn’t think Sophie deserved to have everything going her way.
Noticing that Willow wasn’t listening to a word she said, Charmaine shook her head and headed out of her room.
Willow had dragged herself into a dead-end. She couldn’t get out of the abyss herself, nor would others be able to help her.
Charmaine reckoned that perhaps only time could heal her troubled daughter.
Meanwhile, Tristan had arranged for them to meet up at Blossom Garden.
It was a really nice place. Ordinary people wouldn’t be able to secure a reservation there, guaranteeing their privacy.
Ysabelle was more nervous than Sophie when she knew that the latter was meeting her grandfather.
“Sophie, you don’t actually have to be so nervous. My grandpa is a really nice man. Even though he’s strict toward my dad and Uncle Tristan, he’s really nice to me,” Ysabelle reassured her.
“Okay. I’m not nervous. Don’t worry,” Sophie replied.
“Hmm, I think my grandpa will like you,” Ysabelle said. She had confidence in her friend.
“Okay,” Sophie said, though she was unsure of her own chances.
She had only met William once, and she knew nothing about what he liked or disliked.
“Well, you need to get ready now.” Ysabelle had wanted to accompany her, but Tristan forbade her from tagging along.
Ysabelle had no choice but to listen to the man.
“So, how are you doing with Felix?” Sophie asked. Ever since the two of them started dating, Ysabelle appeared to be more radiant than ever.
“He treats me well. I’ve been bullying him since the beginning. I can’t believe I didn’t realize he had a crush on me earlier. Am I really that obtuse?” Ysabelle asked.
She had always wanted to have a boyfriend, and yet she was oblivious to the fact that the man who had always been right beside her actually liked her.
“There’s nothing wrong with being a little obtuse. You’ve just become an adult anyway. In fact, your timing is just right,” Sophie replied.
“You’re right.”
Ysabelle thought the timing was just right too.
It was not too early nor too late.
She was right on time, pursuing things that she had always wanted to do the most.
