Chapter 40 Remember Not to Call Me Mr. Sinclair at Home
Upstairs in the study, Quinn, Samantha, and Alexander had a brief talk about Bernice's situation before the conversation shifted.
"You brought her here?" Samantha asked with an edge of annoyance.
"She's my wife. Of course, she came with me," Alexander responded nonchalantly.
Quinn lifted his coffee cup for a sip and, looking at Samantha, commented, "I saw her picture the other day. She's pretty and likable. If Alexander is happy, that’s what counts."
"What good is being pretty? She has no connections. How's she going to help Alexander in the future?" Samantha sat next to Alexander and advised earnestly, "Alexander, listen to me, this girl isn't right for you."
Alexander patted Samantha’s hand, glanced at Quinn, and said, "Mom, if Dad has no objections, you shouldn't worry. Besides, since when do I need a woman to help me?"
Samantha gazed into Alexander's eyes, feeling certain he was hiding something from her. She glanced at Quinn and quietly asked, "Alexander, is this girl your..." She mimed the motion of making a chess move.
"What are you two whispering about? Keeping secrets from me?" Quinn sat behind his desk, donning reading glasses, and questioned them.
"Nothing, Dad," Alexander replied, "Mom told me to bring Lillian up."
"Lillian?" Quinn seemed momentarily confused, "What’s your wife’s name again?"
"Lillian," Alexander watched for Quinn's reaction and said, "I’ll bring her up now."
Downstairs, Lucas had already gone out to play, and Bernice with Daisy had returned to their rooms. The large living room was left with only Lillian, who was comfortably scrolling through her phone.
"Lillian," Alexander approached with a gentle smile, softly took her hand, and whispered, "My Dad wants to meet you."
"What?" Lillian froze, allowing him to lead her as they walked.
In her mind, she wondered, 'What's gotten into Alexander? Why is he being so gentle with me? Is this the same Mr. Sinclair I know?'
"Mr. Sinclair... you..."
"At home, remember not to call me Mr. Sinclair," he said, playfully flicking her nose.
A maid passed by, covering her mouth with a giggle before scurrying away. Lillian, quickly catching on, realized it was time to put on a performance.
Alexander guided her to the study. As Quinn was engrossed in his book and Samantha at his side, they looked up as the pair entered.
"Happy New Year," Lillian greeted, a faint smile on her lips.
Samantha, who didn't care for Lillian, didn't bother to hide her frown.
Quinn glanced at Lillian with a mild look, and with a content hum, he asked, "How old are you this year?"
"I'm 25," Lillian nervously replied to Quinn's question.
"Don't be nervous, we're family," Quinn said as he set his book aside and wiped his hands. He looked over at her with a smile and said to Samantha, "Don't Lillian and Alexander make a great match?"
"Really? I didn't see that," said Samantha, her disappointment evident. She had thought that Quinn would support her, but surprisingly, he accepted the marriage between the two. She found it odd since Quinn had previously hoped that Alexander would marry a wealthy daughter for a mutually beneficial alliance.
Lillian stood there awkwardly, not sure whether to smile or not. She glanced at Alexander and found him comfortably lounging on the couch, engrossed in his smartphone.
Samantha wasn't a stubborn person. She thought to herself, 'Since Quinn has agreed, I won't play the villain anymore, or else Alexander will blame me again.'
She spoke to Lillian, "Your marriage to Alexander hasn't been announced publicly, but you're legally husband and wife. About having children, I brought it up when I last visited you, and Alexander said he would get ready. As for your wedding wishes, I don't have much to say. I hope you start a family soon! Aim to get pregnant within two or three months and have a baby by the year's end!"
Lillian, her forehead sweating, didn't respond. She felt that she couldn't agree to this.
Quinn interjected, "Don't frighten her, there's no rush. Let nature take its course."
"It's just that Rhett's wife is already pregnant, and I'm a bit eager to see my grandchild," Samantha said with a feigned smile.
At that moment, a servant hurried in and announced, "Mr. Rhett has arrived with his wife and mother."
Quinn cheerfully responded, "I understand, I'll be right down."
Samantha rolled her eyes and reluctantly followed him out of the room.
Lillian exhaled a sigh of relief. Watching Alexander rise unhurriedly, she walked over and whispered, "Are we going to keep this act up until we get back home?"
"Yes." Alexander's face was stern, a stark contrast to his previous tenderness.
'Alright then, just keep playing along,' thought Lillian quietly to herself.
Laughter and chatter filled the living room. Lillian, arm in arm with Alexander, descended the stairs, curiously observing the people on the couch.
In the center sat Quinn, next to Samantha, and beside them was an elder, distinguished lady. Across from them were a young couple.
"Dad," Alexander said as he walked over with Lillian, giving Rhett Sinclair a glance.
Rhett was a few months older than Alexander, but his status as an illegitimate son always made him feel inferior and he was constantly forbearing in the family dynamic.
"Come on, Alexander, sit over here," Rhett said as he took Freya by the arm and made room for him.
Alexander confidently led Lillian to sit on the loveseat.
"Alexander, I heard you got married, and I can't believe it. It was so sudden and there were absolutely no signs," Eliana Parkey, Rhett's mother, said bluntly.
"It's all destiny's doing, so I went ahead and got married. I didn't want to be single any longer," Alexander replied casually as he took Lillian's hand in his and smiled. He then introduced her, "This is Eliana, Rhett and his wife, Freya Price."
Lillian greeted them in turn, her eyes briefly catching on Freya's slightly swollen belly.
"You're really beautiful," Eliana said with a smile. "Looks like you could bring a grandson into the Sinclair family. Have a child with Alexander soon, so our kids will have company."
Samantha snorted under her breath. She couldn't stand Eliana's show-off attitude.
Quinn laughed heartily, "Our family keeps having great news. The new year is definitely going to be better!"
Rhett agreed, "Dad, you're absolutely right. It's going to be better."
Alexander wore a faint look of disdain. Lillian turned and caught his expression, thinking to herself, 'This family is so hypocritical, always with an agenda.'
