Chapter 10 Knowing Her Place
Chapter 10 Knowing Her Place
The car fell into silence once again.
Looking out the window, Lillian tried to appear calm but was actually quite nervous. She may have never had the experience of meeting a boyfriend's parents, but she understood the significance. If she misspoke, she could upset both Samantha and Alexander.
Glancing at her phone, Lillian discreetly Googled tips for meeting a boyfriend's parents. There was a lot of advice online, so after skimming through, she decided it was best to speak less and do more.
Putting her phone away, Lillian tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. With Alexander next to her, she was too embarrassed to touch up her makeup.
The car navigated through the snowy weather and pulled into the driveway at home. Alexander got out of the car. Lillian took a deep breath and patted her cheeks to muster the courage before she finally opened the car door.
In the living room, Samantha sat in the middle of the sofa sipping her coffee. Hearing the noise, she looked up to see Alexander and Lillian walk in.
"Alexander! You're back!" Samantha set down her coffee and smiled like any ordinary happy mother, a sight that Lillian had never witnessed - Samantha smiling was indeed a rarity!
Seeing Lillian standing to the side, Samantha began to size her up, thinking to herself, 'She's of a decent height. Although not particularly graceful, she is quite pretty. Standing next to Alexander, they look fairly well-matched.'
Alexander had previously told Samantha that he got married, and she assumed it was to Madison. So, Samantha froze when she saw an unfamiliar name on the marriage license. Alexander didn't elaborate on Lillian, and Samantha didn't ask further, thinking that any woman fortunate enough to marry Alexander must come from a wealthy family. At the moment, Samantha's primary concern was equity.
"Ms. Samantha... No! Mom," Lillian blurted out in a panic.
Lillian had lost her mother when she was four, so she was unaccustomed to interacting with older women.
Kelly emerged from the kitchen with a respectful tone, "Ms. Samantha, Mr. Sinclair, Mrs. Sinclair, dinner is ready."
"Good. We'll talk over dinner," Samantha said leisurely as she stood up and walked shoulder to shoulder with Alexander toward the dining room.
Kelly prepared a hearty dinner, which included dishes that both Samantha and Alexander enjoyed.
Seated next to Alexander, Lillian didn't dare to look up at Samantha.
"What's your name?" Samantha's first impression of Lillian was alright, but she didn't like Lillian's timidity and restraint.
Lillian remembered Harry telling her always to look people in the eye when talking to show respect. Even though she was nervous, she made an effort to look at Samantha and answered with feigned calmness, "My name is Lillian Hill."
"You're a Hill..." As Samantha thought aloud while pouring water for Alexander, she asked with puzzlement, "Is there a Hill family in Ridgefield? Are you a local?"
Just as Lillian was about to eat her steak, she trembled, and the steak fell onto her plate. Lillian dreaded Samantha's reaction upon discovering that she was poor, as it seemed Samantha had assumed she was wealthy.
"No. It's just an ordinary family," Alexander said calmly but considerately began cutting Lillian's steak, seemingly intent on irritating Samantha.
Lillian thought nervously, "'Oh my goodness! Is this happening too fast?'
"What did you say?" Samantha asked in disbelief, "An ordinary family? You married an ordinary woman?" After asking, she looked at Lillian angrily.
Lillian stared back blankly and felt fearful.
"Mom, let's eat. You hate arguing over dinner," Alexander said, dismissing Samantha's anger nonchalantly.
Samantha slammed her fork down on the table with a thud. "Alexander, do you really think I want to keep eating?"
She turned to Lillian, her previous warmth completely evaporated, leaving only disdain. She continued to probe, "What do your parents do for a living? Are they officials? University professors? Or doctors?"
Noticing that Alexander was eating earnestly, Lillian answered truthfully, "My parents passed away when I was young. My uncle Harry raised me and my brother. Harry works at an auto repair shop. His wife, Lisa, retired and does part-time jobs."
Samantha almost fainted because she believed a woman from such a background wasn't suitable for Alexander! Their marriage was nothing short of a fairy tale!
"How did someone as poor as you snag my son?" Samantha spat out without a hint of politeness.
Hearing Samantha's insults, Lillian felt angry and embarrassed, thinking, ‘It was your son who insisted on marrying me!’ However, she couldn't voice these words because it was Adam who was in debt to Alexander. Lillian was repaying that debt to Alexander by marrying him.
Lillian kept silent, so Samantha kept up her tirade. "I do not approve of this marriage! Go pack your things. I'll have the driver take you back. You are getting a divorce tomorrow! Ms. Hill, I'll give you a sum of money as compensation."
The mention of divorce sparked excitement in Lillian as she stared at Samantha.
However, Samantha misinterpreted her reaction and said discontentedly, "You must leave because the Sinclair family will not allow a poor woman to marry Alexander! You have no right to refuse!"
Lillian didn't understand why Samantha thought she was unwilling to leave, which made her simultaneously angry and happy.
Putting down his utensils, Alexander said to Lillian, "If you're done eating, you can go back to your room."
Lillian quickly set down her fork and left feeling elated.
After Lillian was out of sight, Samantha complained, "Alexander, how could you marry someone like that? Have you considered the reputation of the Sinclair family?"
"What's wrong with her?" Alexander resumed eating and slowly replied before taking another bite, "A nose and two eyes. She's perfectly normal."
"Considering personality, looks, and family background, Madison is far superior to this poor girl! What on earth do you like about her?" Samantha sighed deeply, "Do you think I've gotten old, so you're trying to deceive me? If I had known earlier, I would have made you get a divorce the day you showed me that marriage license!"
Alexander ignored Samantha and continued eating his meal.
Seeing that Alexander didn’t care about her opinion, Samantha couldn’t help but continue, “Both your dad and I will never agree to you marrying that woman! You must go and get a divorce tomorrow. I know you argued with Madison because she upset you. Girls can be willful, but you shouldn’t be too harsh on Madison. You should hurry up and marry Madison instead.”
“She’s just flattering you. Actually, you think the shares are the most important, right?” Alexander replied calmly, “Don't worry about it.”
