Chapter 557 So Embarrassing!
Aurelia excused herself to use the restroom in the private dining room, leaving Nathaniel and Phoenix alone at the table, locked in a staring contest.
Nathaniel looked at Phoenix with challenging, upturned eyes. "Is it really so difficult to acknowledge me as your brother-in-law?"
Phoenix scoffed dismissively. "Look in a mirror. What makes you think you're good enough for my sister?"
With a smug grin, Nathaniel shifted in his seat and pulled out his phone, displaying their marriage certificate. This brother-in-law status was non-negotiable.
Phoenix's eyes widened in shock. "This—" After a long pause, he sighed. "My sister's taste is absolutely terrible!"
Nathaniel playfully grabbed the back of Phoenix's neck. Now that he was officially family, teasing came with the territory. "Come on, just admit I'm your brother-in-law, and I'll give you a car. You can take your pick from my garage. What do you say?"
"Whatever's yours belongs to my sister anyway. I can just ask her for one," Phoenix retorted.
Nathaniel tightened his grip slightly—not enough to hurt, just to intimidate—hoping to extract that coveted acknowledgment.
Instead, Phoenix called out dramatically toward the restroom, "Aurelia! Aurelia! He's hurting me!"
Aurelia rushed out with wet hands, just in time to witness Nathaniel's antics.
"Nathaniel!" she thundered, forcing him to release his grip while Phoenix secretly fought back laughter.
After dinner, they parted ways—Phoenix riding with Aurelia while Nathaniel followed in his own car. Nathaniel watched Aurelia's car ahead, silently fuming at losing control over Phoenix.
Meanwhile, in Aurelia's car, Phoenix kept glancing at Nathaniel's car in the rearview mirror, utterly delighted.
"Don't you have filming today?" Aurelia's question pulled Phoenix back to reality.
Phoenix sighed. "Dad's handiwork. He threw two million dollars at my production company on the condition they halt filming for two weeks so I could be with Burry during her treatment. He didn't just arrange leave for me—he shut down the entire production. The director only agreed because of Dad's influence. I'll probably face hell when we resume."
Aurelia glanced at her brother, who despite complaining about potential difficulties, lounged in his seat with the carefree air of a privileged heir who couldn't be bothered.
"If the director gives you trouble, go to Nathaniel. He'll protect you," she advised.
Phoenix scratched his head, noticing the Bugatti still following closely behind them. Fine, he'd go to Nathaniel if needed. Aurelia always had his back.
Over the next few days, Dominic kept Phoenix on a tight leash. With the transplant date set, Dominic was determined to ensure optimal bone marrow quality. He dragged Phoenix out of bed at dawn for timed runs, enforced a strict nutritional regimen, and mandated early bedtimes.
"I'm treated worse than the family dog," Phoenix lamented, feeling like he was being walked on an invisible leash.
Finally, the day of surgery arrived. As Phoenix lay on the operating table, he remembered Aurelia's promise to be there during the procedure. He kept glancing anxiously toward the door, feeling a lump in his throat.
'Liar,' he thought bitterly.
Surrounded by medical staff, Phoenix's anxiety peaked—until a cool hand covered his. He looked up, and despite his best efforts, tears spilled down his cheeks.
"Don't be afraid. It'll be over soon," Aurelia soothed.
Meanwhile, Burry had been prepped for surgery, with the entire family waiting anxiously in the corridor. When the doctor finally emerged to announce the successful transplant, everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief.
The following days were dedicated to monitoring Burry for rejection symptoms. Marcus, having temporarily relinquished his responsibilities at the Heilbronn Group, devoted himself entirely to Burry's care.
Day by day, Burry felt her body changing, her functions quietly recovering. The predicted rejection symptoms never materialized—just some initial nausea that gradually subsided. As her mood brightened, she finally agreed to see Marcus.
Overwhelmed with gratitude, Marcus became her constant companion.
When Joe escorted Cathy to the hospital room, they found Marcus feeding Burry apple slices. Ever the perfectionist, he had meticulously peeled and cut the fruit into uniform pieces, spearing each with a toothpick before offering it to her.
Cathy observed them quietly, recognizing the deep connection that had survived their years apart.
"How are you feeling today, Burry?" Cathy asked.
Marcus immediately stood, offering his seat to Cathy. Burry, visibly healthier with color returning to her cheeks, smiled from her propped position.
"Much better, Grandmother."
Cathy sat down, her gaze moving between Burry and Marcus. "Wonderful! You'll be discharged in two weeks. I'm planning a wedding for you both."
Burry glanced at Marcus. Having grown up abroad and already had a simple ceremony in Elvenia without extended family, she wasn't particularly attached to traditional wedding customs.
"Is that really necessary, Grandmother?"
Before Cathy could respond, Marcus interjected, "It's not a problem. Once you're better and your hair has grown out for styling, we'll have a proper ceremony."
Burry stared at him with wide eyes. "You really want this?"
Marcus nodded with unwavering certainty. "Yes, we do."
Cathy beamed. "Then it's settled! Once you've recovered and your hair has grown, we'll have the wedding." She paused, suddenly remembering her other granddaughter. "By then, Aurelia should have given birth. We could hold a double ceremony—two joyous occasions at once!"
Just then, Dominic entered carrying a fresh bouquet. Knowing Burry's sensitivity to scents and her love of flowers, he brought different blooms daily.
"What do you think, Dominic?" Cathy asked.
Dominic placed the flowers on the table. "Your suggestion is excellent. I'll hire a professional wedding planner—this calls for a grand celebration!"
"Exactly!" Cathy agreed enthusiastically. "It must be magnificent!"
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