Chapter 633 The Relationships in the Aristocratic Family Are So Complicated
"Mr. Tristram Rivers said so. Mr. Leopold Rivers specifically asked for you to be there. They'll send a car to pick you up around noon tomorrow," Eva said.
Leopold was adamant she should go. But why?
Was it because she was treating Ryder and he was concerned? Did he want to check on him?
"I'm not going!" Ryder's voice was firm.
"Ryder, it's your dad's birthday. You can't just skip it," Eva tried to convince him. "It'll just be your dad, you, Tristram, and Dr. Ryan. Mrs. Grace Rivers is still abroad for the art exhibition."
Realizing she might've overstepped, Eva quickly added, "I'm sorry, Ryder. I shouldn't have said that."
Aurora glanced around, feeling the tension. What was up with the Rivers family? Their dynamics seemed so complicated.
"Anyway, I'm not going!" Ryder was stubborn. He stopped eating, turned his wheelchair around, and started to leave. He hadn't gone far when the landline rang again. Eva rushed to answer it.
"Ryder, it's your dad. He wants to talk to you." Eva handed the phone to Ryder.
Ryder hesitated, then wheeled himself over and picked up the phone.
"Ryder, it's my birthday tomorrow. I really want you to come," Leopold said. Despite everything, Ryder was still his son. "My health isn't great. Each birthday could be my last. If you still see me as your father, come have a meal with us tomorrow."
Ryder didn't say anything, just hung up the phone. Eva and Aurora were left wondering if he would go or not.
Aurora was also confused about why Leopold wanted her there. The idea of attending a family gathering, especially with a family she didn't know, made her anxious.
The next day, just before noon, the car Tristram sent arrived. Aurora looked at Ryder and asked, "Are you going?"
Ryder didn't answer. After a moment, he wheeled himself out. Aurora quickly followed.
Aurora and Eva helped him into the car, and Aurora sat beside him. The tension was thick.
Ryder stayed silent during the ride, and Aurora didn't speak either. When the car finally stopped, Aurora's heart was pounding.
She got out quickly, and a servant came to help Ryder out of the car and into his wheelchair.
"Ryder, Ms. Ryan," Tristram greeted them as they arrived. "Lunch is ready. We're just waiting for you."
Ryder didn't even glance at Tristram. Aurora asked, "Mr. Rivers, I don't know your father. Why did he insist I come?"
"You'll find out inside," Tristram replied with a smile.
"Alright." Aurora decided to go with the flow and pushed Ryder into the grand, opulent hall.
In the dining room, two elderly men were seated. One was Leopold, and the other she recognized.
"Leopold, this is the medical student who saved me. I recommended her to Tristram to be Ryder's primary doctor. Don't be fooled by her student status; she's very skilled."
The speaker was the elderly man Aurora had saved from a stroke recently. Tristram had mentioned he was close friends with Leopold."Mr. Leopold Rivers, Mr. Clarence," Aurora greeted them.
"You must be Aurora Ryan," Leopold said. "Clarence has been singing your praises. He said if it weren't for you, he wouldn't be here. And you turned down any reward, even sent back the cash we sent to your school. Young people like you are rare."
"Yes, Aurora saved my life. The hospital said it was a good thing she acted quickly," Clarence added. "I heard you're treating Ryder now. Since it's Leopold's birthday, I insisted you come so we could thank you again."
"You're too kind. It was nothing. Anyone else would have done the same," Aurora said.
"Maybe others would have helped, but refusing any reward is rare," Clarence noted.
Aurora just smiled.
Ryder, overhearing this, was puzzled. She needed money, so why did she refuse the reward but accept Tristram's $200,000?
"Ryder," Clarence addressed him, "how have you been? It's been a while since we've seen you."
"Same as always," Ryder replied curtly. "Barely hanging on, but not dead yet."
"Ryder, show some respect when speaking to Elder!" Leopold scolded.
"Dad, Ryder's not feeling well. Don't be too hard on him," Tristram interjected.
"If it weren't my birthday, I'd give you a piece of my mind!" Leopold snapped.
Ryder just scoffed and said nothing.
"Alright, let's sit down," Leopold said, trying to calm down.
Aurora sat next to Ryder. Once seated, Tristram wished Leopold a happy birthday. "Dad, happy birthday. This year’s celebration is modest, but next year, I'll make sure it's grand."
"Tristram always thinks of everything," Clarence praised. "Leopold, you have a good son."
"Thank you," Leopold smiled.
Yes, Tristram was the pride of the Rivers family, while Ryder was the disgrace. Ryder knew this well.
"Of course, Ryder is good too," Clarence added, trying to be polite.
"Mr. Clarence, if you don't want to compliment me, don't force it. I don't need fake praise," Ryder retorted.
"Ryder!" Leopold slammed his utensils down. "I don't want to argue with you today. If you can't speak nicely, then don't speak at all!"
"I said I didn't want to come, but you insisted. Now that I'm here, you're unhappy," Ryder replied.
Leopold was about to lose his temper, but Tristram intervened. "Dad, it's your birthday. Don't get upset. I'll talk to him later."
"You're out of line, Ryder. No manners at all!" Leopold scolded, then turned to Clarence. "Elder, please don't mind him."
"It's alright. He's just a kid," Clarence said.
Leopold then urged everyone to start eating. Tristram chatted with the elders, who occasionally asked Aurora about herself. Ryder remained silent, as if he were invisible.
Until...
"Mr. Leopold Rivers, Mr. Tristram Rivers, and Mrs. Grace Rivers have returned," a servant announced.
Hearing this, Ryder's grip on his utensils tightened. Aurora, sitting next to him, could feel his tension.
When Eva mentioned Grace Morris earlier, Ryder had also reacted strongly. Did his sister-in-law have some unresolved issues with him?
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