Scarlett slowly raised her head and looked at Carter with a confused expression.
"Young master, why are you looking at me like that?" Scarlett smiled even though she was confused by his serious expression. "...Is there something you want to talk about?"
Scarlett's question made Walter Riley and Martha look at Carter, making them curious too.
After a seemingly long silence, Carter said, "Sister Scarlett, I want to ask you something about the contract..."
ραпdα nᴏνa| сom "Carter Riley, how impolite are you? Don't bring work to the dinner table!!" Walter Riley gave Carter a displeased look. "You can ask your sister after dinner!" He cleared his throat slightly and then continued eating.
It's not just Walter who looks annoyed at Carter but also Martha.
Carter opened his mouth, but no words came out from his lips. He was utterly speechless. Since when did that rule exist in their house?
As far as he could remember, they always talked about work whenever his older brother came to join them for dinner. And Grandpa never scolded his older brother over that.
But now?
Carter secretly took a deep breath, feeling glum at being scolded by grandpa. He showed Scarlett a defeated smile before saying, "Sister-in-law... we'll talk later!"
Scarlett could only nod and hold back her laughter when she saw Carter's expression that looked like a child who had just been scolded.
This amazed her as she witnessed the opposite of the calm and charismatic-looking Carter she usually saw outside the house. No matter how high Carter's position is in the company, at home, his status is almost like nobody!!
Scarlett continued to finish her dinner.
Shortly after,
Dinner finally over, Scarlett followed Carter into the backyard after Carter asked her to put on her coat because it was pretty cold outside.
When Scarlett and Carter left the dining room, Walter Riley rushed into his study.
Walter Riley needed to call his stupid grandson to bring him to his senses!
At first, Walter was annoyed when he discovered his grandson was going on a business trip overseas without his wife. Still, he didn't want to interfere with their relationship. So, he just kept silent.
However, after chatting with Scarlett tonight, he felt sorry for the girl.
Made him unable to bear to scold his difficult-to-manage grandson.
"Old Master..." Alvin Lee, the butler, handed the phone to Walter Riley as soon as the line was connected.
Sitting on his single sofa looking at the moon through the glass window, Walter glanced at Alvin. He took a deep breath before picking up the phone.
"Grandfather!? Why did you call me?" Xander's voice sounded worried on the other end. He was surprised when he received a phone call from his grandfather's butler. Because this old man rarely calls him. Unless there was something significant, then he would contact him.
"Is there a problem there?" asked Xander again after not hearing his grandfather's answer. This time he was distracted, did something happen to his family?
After a long silence, Walter Riley spoke unhurriedly, "Yes! Yes. There is a big problem here, and I need you to get back here as soon as possible!"
Walter Riley's voice was low, but his tone was dominating. Enough to make Xander freeze.
"Big problem? What is it, grandpa!?"
Walter Riley took a deep breath before answering.
"What are you doing there? It's been almost three weeks since you left the country. How much longer do you want to leave your wife here?"
Xander was speechless. Why was this old man suddenly talking about his marriage to Scarlett? Did something happen to her?
Instantly Xander worried. What else? Today he has not contacted her.
"Aren't you afraid your wife will run away to find another husband after you neglect her? You went to Europe while she lived here alone!" Walter Riley took another deep breath. Then continued his tirade, "If I am not mistaken, Rex Morrison came to this country a few days ago, and Logan told me he met Scarlett!"
Xander, "..."
'He knows that! Even that bastard Rex threatened him. Damn it!!' Xander is secretly angry with himself because what his grandfather said was true! He is starting to get mad at himself now.
"Grandfather! Can you tell me what really happened there?" Xander felt like hanging up and calling Scarlett instead. This old man gave him an instant headache.
"I want you back here as soon as possible!!"
"But, my work here isn't finished yet. I need a few more days..." Before Xander finishes his sentence, Walter interrupts him.
"Why are you enslaving yourself with corporate affairs? Have you forgotten you have paid many useless executives in the company!? While you work hard, they sit back in their luxurious office enjoying coffee!?"
Xander massaged his forehead.
"Listen, Xander! You have to remember our family's unfortunate past! Back then, I was too busy with the company, and I lost your grandma when she gave birth to your dad. From that day until now, I still regret that I didn't spend much time with your grandmother..."
There was dew in Walter Riley's eyes when he remembered that moment. He never stopped blaming himself until today!
"And, when your mother died, your father was also devastated. Until he got sick and eventually died. I know you want to make the Riley Group a powerful company. However, you can't leave your loved one to achieve that! Xander, please don't make the same mistakes as your father and me!"
"G-Grandpa..." Xander's voice trembled, unable to finish his words.
Every word Walter Riley said was like a steel blade that scorched Xander from head to toe.
Why had he forgotten about this? And what is his purpose for working as hard as he is now?
Xander really blames himself!! He understands his relationship with Scarlett stems from a fake marriage, a weak bond. But over time, Xander realized Scarlett was the right person for him. He wants to spend time and grow older with her.
"You may work hard, but don't forget to use your brain; never sacrifice your family for work! Never! Because if you lose someone you care about, regret will come after! And at that moment, there is only one thing you want — to turn back time. But, of course, God would never grant that…."
"Grandfather! Please. Enough already. Please! I hear you! I truly hear what you mean."
"Alright. Alright. I'm sorry if I sound mad. It's good that you understand!"
After Walter Riley expresses his anger, he tells Xander that Scarlett is staying at Riley Mansion. Then, he ended the call.
****
1 Extra chapter for Super Gift:
Please thank Aurelly_one for sponsoring this extra chapter!
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