Chapter 396
Sebastian Evans set down his chopsticks.
“It’s Sophia’s first time here, and the table is full. How about a group photo to remember this?”
The elderly couple’s eyes lit up.
They hadn’t taken a single picture with their granddaughter yet!
The old man nodded eagerly. “We should. We must.”
The old woman added quickly, “Sebastian, find a good angle. We’ll have it printed for the album.”
A slight smile touched Sebastian’s lips. “I won’t be in it. The housekeeper can take it.”
“Oh, my memory! I forgot you need to be in the photo too…”
Sebastian waved the housekeeper over.
Sophia Sullivan moved obediently to her grandmother’s side, linking arms with her.
Sebastian stood on her other side, with the grandfather on the far left.
“Ready?” The housekeeper held up the phone.
The grandmother chuckled. “Go ahead, take it.”
Click—
The moment was captured.
The elderly couple beamed, Sophia smiled softly, and Sebastian’s lips curved slightly.
The housekeeper took several more shots in quick succession.
The elderly couple looked through the photos, pleased with every single one.
The housekeeper returned the phone to Sebastian.
The grandmother didn’t forget to remind him, “Remember to get them printed!”
“Don’t worry, I won’t forget.”
Only then did the grandmother feel at ease.
Sebastian scrolled through the photos, a flicker of amusement in his eyes.
He considered giving the housekeeper a raise.
He took a few more pictures of the dining table before putting his phone away and sitting down.
…
After dinner, Sophia stayed to watch TV with her grandmother.
The grandfather had made plans to take a walk with an old neighbor.
His booming voice could be heard from a distance. “…Found her! In the next city, she’s married now…”
“What does she do? Writes novels, suspense… yes, she wrote ‘The Seven-Day Tales’… You’ve heard of it? Wonderful! You must read it!”
“My granddaughter is visiting today… getting her Master’s at MIT, very academic… still single…”
“Haha… Heaven has been good to me…”
The grandmother sniffed lightly. “Don’t mind him. He never used to socialize. Now he’s constantly arranging tea, forcing meetings even when he’s busy. He’s terrified people won’t know how happy he is.”
Sophia couldn’t hold back a laugh.
“You think it’s funny too? When I tell him, he justifies it. Says he held it in for over twenty years, shouldn’t he be allowed to show off a little?”
Florence Atlante wanted to show off too.
But she was afraid. Afraid that too much pride would make her lose this happiness.
So she was more restrained than the grandfather, yet she couldn’t help her envy.
Sophia gently held her grandmother’s hand. “Grandma, don’t be afraid. It’s all in the past. From now on, you can boast as much as you want.”
Florence was startled. She hadn’t expected her granddaughter to see right through her.
“Alright then… just like a regular old lady?”
“Yes!”
Sebastian sat on the sofa opposite, seemingly scrolling through his phone, but his attention never left Sophia.
Watching her laugh and talk with her grandmother, listening to her soft words of comfort, he found himself smiling as Florence did.
Sebastian opened his photo album and found the group picture.
In the photo, Sophia was leaning affectionately against her grandmother, her expression gentle.
He stood right beside her, close yet separated by an invisible distance.
Sebastian’s smile faded slightly.
He swiped left and saw the photos of the dining table.
On an impulse, he opened his social media and posted one.
His caption: Reunion.
Likes poured in quickly. The comments section buzzed with activity—
[Family dinner?]
[Sebastian, introducing a new flame to the parents?]
[Finally something other than financial news on your feed!]
[Quietly making big moves, I see.]
[We agreed to stay single together. How could you sneak off like this?]
[This caption… wedding bells?]
Sebastian skimmed them, then paused.
He opened the photo and zoomed in. In the top right corner, he found half of Sophia’s face.
Just her chin and lips were visible, but it was enough to spark everyone’s imagination.
Sebastian frowned. He thought about explaining but decided it was unnecessary.
They were just jokes. A specific denial would only seem suspicious.
A notification chimed.
A message from the hot pot restaurant owner—
[Congrats, man!]
[Next hot pot is on the house.]
Sebastian: “…”
He read it and didn’t reply.
…
Night deepened, neon lights glittering.
Charlie Lowell set up a gathering, inviting Julian Winston and Ethan Roscente.
Julian initially refused. “Picking Olivia up from work. Can’t make it.”
Five minutes later, he called back—
“Free now. On my way.”
Charlie was confused. “What happened?”
“Olivia’s working overtime,” Julian said after a pause. “All night.”
Charlie was speechless.
Olivia, Olivia, Olivia…
Think you’re so great because you have a girlfriend?
It’s not even real.
Charlie said, “You’re not actually falling for her, are you?”
Silence for two seconds, then fury on the other end. “…Get lost! How could I be into that she-devil? Are you insane?”
“Heh, that’s what I thought. She’s not your type anyway. Room 7029. Hurry up.”
When Julian arrived, Charlie and Ethan were already there.
“Well, look who’s here~” Charlie grinned. “Ordered two lovely ladies for you. You’ll love them.”
Julian frowned. “Who said you could order for me?”
Charlie was surprised. “What did you say?”
Julian rolled his eyes. “Don’t just send anyone my way. I’m picky.”
“It’s not your first time. You know the quality here.”
Julian sniffed. “My standards are higher now. I don’t touch the average ones.”
Charlie looked at him like he’d seen a ghost. “Whoa, the sun must be rising in the west!”
Julian didn’t want to explain further. “Send them away. And I’ll say it again—I didn’t order them. Don’t go ruining my reputation.”
Charlie: “?”
He had a reputation?
Julian walked straight into the private room and slumped onto the sofa.
A few familiar rich kids showed up. Not close, but enough to make a table.
Julian joined the card game, completely ignoring the women around him.
Charlie: ?
Had he really changed?