Chapter 523: Apology

Seeing Zeke and Harold dead seriously looking towards her, Aria quickened her pace towards them glazing at the troubled father and mother Stanley.

She quickly took a seat as she asked, "What's wrong?"

Zeke glanced at Harold's blank face before speaking, "I heard finding a companion at the ages of fifty is common nowadays."

'Companion at the age of fifty?' Aria turned to Father Stanley who was in the mid-fifties. Father Stanley has his wife, so a companion? Aria was quite confused.

Father Stanley choked on the water he was drinking and shook his head as he coughed. Mother Stanley patted his back hiding her amusement at his reaction just by the serious scrutinizing gaze of Aria.

Zeke rolled his eyes at Father Stanley and turned to Aria and was silently chuckling, "I am talking about Win… My useless son Winston Wen."

Aria: "..."

Aria's face deadpanned hearing the name. The last time she spoke or cared to see the face of Winston Wen was when he blamed her for her mother's death. Despite meeting him some more time or feeling his gaze on her, she hadn't cared to glance at his face even once.

Having or finding a companion to talk to or share during old age is very common nowadays so that they don't feel lonely. Considering the Wen family, they didn't have any woman after Mother Stanley aka Ms. Wen married.

Due to her career in the military, she hardly spent time in both of the families so Winston and also Zeke Wen are lonely and they don't share anything with each other.

Harold lost his wife around a decade early but he always kept himself busy with military affairs. Whereas Zeke lost his wife when he was around fifty and he was absolutely alone after it.

Even though Zeke shows an outgoing and cheerful personality, Aria could guess how lonely he must have felt entering the empty mansion after work where his son would sit in the library or hospital.

How he might have earned someone to talk? Aria thought and sighed. She was glad Rowan and Amelia never left Curtis alone and Curtis always made sure to talk and be happy with them.

Probably Zeke doesn't want his son to live the life he lived so far. So his worry is understandable. However Aria was still grim at Winston Wen, "Yes Grandfather, it's common. Children and grandchildren become busy with their own life hence it's convenient and also good to have somebody to converse with. Since Professor Wen is almost alone in his life, are you sure he will accept your arrangements?"

Zeke Wen smiled knowing Aria had positive views on it, unlike how society judges it harshly. He revealed what he was planning, "Hence I need your help. Find anybody suitable and convince my headless son."

Aria: "..."

She had guessed it but thought it's only about finding a good background sensible woman, "I can try to find someone. I won't convince your son." Her tone had slightly turned grim so as her expression.

Zeke and Harold were surprised by her reaction. Only a few knew Aria hardly said no so they weren't only surprised by hearing No but also by her anger.

They had already tried to convince Zeke but nothing was fruitful. He had ignored both men and returned back to his library without bother. They wanted to ask Finn but they doubted if Finn could convince him.

Rose was out of the book, they didn't want Winston to scare her away or bring tears. Whereas Aria is tough and her discourse hardly fails so they trusted her. In fact, they had a list of women who would suit to be beside Winston but wanted to see what Aria could come up with.

Mother Stanley and Father Stanley couldn't hold their curiosity so they cut in before the old men, "You seem angry on Win." Father Stanley started.

Mother Wen was eager to know, "Did my brother do something to anger you?"

Aria saw four anticipating her response. She didn't want father and son to fight so she shook her head, "I don't think Professor Wen will listen to me. We don't talk with each other."

However, Zeke didn't seem to accept her response, "You are the one who went and put Jude's brain in its place. Of course, you can do this simple thing. Tell me, what did that rascal do?"

Flattering won't work on Aria unless it's Alan so she ignored that part. Aria shook her head, "Nothing."

Harold turned to Zeke, "Your son definitely did something and this little brat is hiding it."

Aria: "..."

'Did I just increase the problem?' Aria controlled herself from facepalming. She could only hope father and son don't fight for the past event.

Thinking back, Aria really disliked how Winston had made her cry, and blamed her for something she had no control. Instead of being happy for becoming pregnant, she was a crying mess, how could she have a heart to talk?

But she genuinely hoped Winston could have someone beside him for the rest of his life.

---

Aria had dinner with them all and Alan reached the Stanley mansion to pick her when Rolls Royce pulled in front. Aria tried her best to escape knowing it's Winston but Zeke caught hold of her.

Alan saw his helpless wife pouting while the other two couples curiously watched why an unsocial man was entering the Stanley mansion when there is no celebration.

Arsh ran over to Aria and raised his hands. Carrying him, "What happened Momma?" He pressed her frowned brows which she didn't even know.

'My son is the best.' She thought and smiled, shaking her head. Arsh smiled before keeping his hand around her neck and all face Winston who obviously looked grim.

Without looking at anybody, Winston glared at his father, "What the hell, Dad? Is it necessary to say you are dying to bring me here?"

Everyone excluding Zeke Wen: "..."

Zeke shrugged and tapped his cane on the ground, "What did you do? Why Aria isn't helping me when it's about you? You better speak what you did else forget stepping in the home."

Aria: "..."

Her jaw dropped looking at Zeke. She agreed to help him but not convince Winston, is it important to push the lines? 'Now, this man will curse me more.' Aria thought sobbing to herself.

Finn and Rose had no idea. Three Stanley members gazed at Winston to speak or if he was going to throw a tantrum like kids. Alan could already guess which confession Zeke was waiting for.

Arsh wrapped his arms around Aria's neck thinking about what that grandfather might have done to his mother.

Winston paused and his anger faded away instantly. He saw Aria bewildered, gazing at his father before he sighed. He had watched her grow up, become strong, made her parents and her family proud. He knew she was sensible unlike her mother but he didn't know why he removed her mother's frustration on her after so many years.

"I am sorry, I didn't consider your feelings and put the words wrong, blaming you for your mother's mistake." He apologized sincerely without any hesitation.

Aria was clueless on how to react to hearing him apologize and even lowered his head disregarding she was a lot younger than him.

While the Stanley family and Zeke mulled over what Winston meant to know the clear picture, Aria recovered when her eyes met the serious gaze of Winston.

She coughed lightly to compose and clear her throat, "You were afraid I might follow mom's path that made you angry so it's alright, Professor Wen."

Alan wrapped his arm around her shoulder right below his son's hand. He was proud of his wife. Whether she was a teenager or a mother of two, she forgives and understands that even if she was hurt by them.

"..." The rest by looking at Aria's man and the little man fondly holding her.