Daddy! Come Home for Dinner!

“You’re so clever, Wendy!” exclaimed Christy Xenos with joy.

Her reaction made it seem as though she already had Mr. Lopez’s fortunes within her grasp.

“You’re so skilled!” Christy Xenos slapped her thigh in delight.

“That’s why, I can’t let Mr. Lopez know that Cindy Clarke also bore him a son.” Wendy Clarke stated.

“Cindy doesn’t have the ability to contend with Mr. Lopez. If he finds out and takes the son home, there’s nothing Cindy can do about it.” Wendy confidently claimed.

“Indeed.” Christy Xenos agreed, nodding her head.

“She claims she doesn’t have money, but she might be lying. Even if she’s making a fair bit as a food blogger, she’s nowhere near Mr. Lopez.”

“To put it bluntly, Cindy is an individual entrepreneur. She may not be as wealthy as Mr. Lopez or the trust fund baby you know, but she’s a businessman with connections and a flourishing business.”

“If he ever wanted to go after Cindy, she wouldn’t stand a chance.” Wendy didn’t even think of Cindy as a threat.

Cindy isn’t even a match for her.

Making a little money doesn’t change the fact that she lacks social connections.

She could never compete with her.

It’s because of Joshua Clarke and Christy Xenos being too gullible that they fall for Cindy’s tricks.

“If Mr. Lopez takes Cindy’s son home, he’ll fight my son over the inheritance? I can’t allow such a thing to happen.” Wendy would not stand for such an eventuality.

“Moreover, Cindy’s son is only fit to be poor with her, not deserving of the good life like my son!” Wendy said coldly.

“Cindy’s not worthy of the good life, and neither is her son. They don’t deserve to have the life we lead.”

“Yes, you’re right.” Christy Xenos agreed.

“If she really lives a good life, she’ll definitely burden us.” Christy Xenos said.

If Cindy is a burden, then it’s best she remains poor.

“So, I won’t let Mr. Lopez find out that she has a son.” Wendy said coldly.

“So we’re just going to let her off?” Christy Xenos objected, unable to bear the thought of Cindy living a peaceful and comfortable life.

“Of course not, I won’t tell Mr. Lopez, but I can tell his wife.” Wendy said, her eyes revealing a vindictive smile.

“When Mr. Lopez brought home a son, his wife was so angry she almost died. Their home was chaotic; it took immense patience for her to accept the child.”

“Now, if his wife finds out that Mr. Lopez has another son, won’t she go crazy?” Wendy laughed at the thought of the scene.

“We don’t even have to lift a finger. Let his wife confront Cindy, she can handle it.” Wendy suggested.

“His wife won’t let that child enter the Lopez family, but when she makes a scene, everyone will know that Cindy is not as simple as a single mother, but a woman who had a child with a married man.”

“That sounds much worse than an out-of-wedlock child. Cindy is a homewrecker!” Wendy sneered, “Then Cindy will be left with nothing.”

“She’s a popular food blogger and she’s attracted quite a number of followers through the cooking competition, but how many will stick around once it’s revealed that she had a child with a married man? Even if she posts videos, she’ll only get a lot of hate.”

“Without any supporters, she won’t have an income. At that time, she won’t be able to make ends meet and she’ll have no choice but to rely on us.” Wendy planned, laughing.

While Cindy may be annoying, there’s no denying her cooking skills.

“Since she won’t be able to continue being a food blogger, with her reputation, she may find it difficult to get a job at other restaurants.”

“We don’t support idlers in our family. If she wants to earn a living, she needs to work, right?”

“We’ll offer her a head chef position, so she can continue doing what she loves. That’s as gracious as we can be.” Wendy raised an eyebrow, “She should be grateful to us.”

Christy Xenos couldn’t help but nod: “Wendy, your mind’s much sharper. Your dad and I were fooled by her.”

“It would’ve been better if you had come to Belfard with us. You would’ve exposed her lies on the spot.” Christy Xenos said.

“This time, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.” Wendy said, “After all, what’s ours is ours. It won’t escape.”

***

At night, Adrian Zhekova and Cindy Clarke, along with the little one, had dinner at the family mansion.

The old master joyously ordered Butler Howard to fetch a crate of red wine from the cellar.

It seemed as if the old master intended to drink all the wine himself.

It was clear that he was really delighted.

Apart from little Morgan, Butler Howard poured a glass for everyone.

Morgan looked on as everyone else poured glasses, but he didn’t have one.

Being too young to drink wine, he ended up with a bottle of grape juice instead.

Morgan silently held his cup, took a sip of grape juice, then stealthily brought Adrian’s cup closer to his nose to smell the wine.

Mixing the two, he pretended he was drinking as well.

“Tonight, this is truly a dinner as a family.” Old Madam sighed, “This day is worth remembering.”

“Yes, this is our first time having a complete family dinner.” The old master’s eyes crinkled as he smiled.

“Cindy is officially part of our family now.” Truly a part of the family, becoming a member of the Zhekova Family.

At this moment, Maverick Zhekova raised his glass: “Welcome, Cindy, to our family.”

Cindy raised her glass, she knew that the elders of the Zhekova Family had always treated her as one of their own.

No matter what, it always felt a bit off.

But after getting the marriage certificate, everything was utterly different.

Cindy finally felt that she truly belonged.

Belonging to this big family, felt like home.

Living with Adrian had given her a sense of home.

Now, with the Zhekova family, surrounded by so many elders, she felt warmth.

It turns out, this is the warmth of family that the books talk about.

Such lively warmth.

It was a feeling that, when recalled, warmed the heart.

Just like an old, yellowed photograph, the images bring warmth and nostalgia.

***

When they got home that night.

It was already past Morgan’s bedtime.

So, Cindy hurriedly urged Morgan to brush his teeth and go to bed.

Only after Morgan was settled did they finally get some time alone.

Adrian originally wanted to leave Morgan at the mansion.

Tonight was, after all, their official wedding night.

Adrian sure didn’t want a little third wheel hanging around.

But seeing the excitement and anticipation on the little guy’s face, Adrian’s resolve softened.

Yes, today was the day he and Cindy got their marriage certificate.

But it was also the day their family all appeared together on the Household Register.