Chapter 48 Lillian, You're Shameless!
By three o'clock, the staff had started to prepare. In the yard, they set up a large canopy, chairs, a barbecue grill, and a variety of food and drink was brought from inside the house.
"Wow! We're going to barbecue ourselves!" Lucas dashed out excitedly.
Lillian looked outside and wondered why they would barbecue in such cold weather. Inside, drinking hot lamb soup causing you to sweat on your forehead and nose—wasn't that far more suitable for winter? A barbecue outside seemed like it would just make you colder as you ate.
"Doris, I'm going upstairs to change. Wearing this, I'll freeze the moment I step outside."
Doris gestured towards the outside and reassured, "No need. Look, we have heaters, charcoal fire, and screens to block the wind. It won't be cold."
"Isn't it a bit inappropriate to have a barbecue outside in such cold weather?" Lillian asked cautiously.
"It's all because Jerry wants to eat it. He's the one with a craving for an outdoor barbecue in the dead of winter!" Doris rolled her eyes in disdain.
Lucas, outside by the sliding door, called to Lillian, "Come on out, Lillian, it's not cold at all!"
"Kids are great, they like everything they see," Doris said with a smile. "Come on, let's head out too."
The shed was warm and spacious. The servants had already set up the barbecue grills, and the fire was lit. A variety of meats and vegetables were lined up in front, along with seasonings.
"Lillian, I want to eat this," Lucas, already seated on a small stool with a soda in hand, told her.
Lillian replied, "Once everyone arrives, you can pick whatever you want, and I'll grill it for you."
As her words faded, Alexander and the others walked in.
Jerry looked around with satisfaction at the preparations and, with his hands on his hips, said, "Hmm, nice, everything that needs to be ready is ready. Good job."
He waved everyone over. "Come on, have a seat, everyone. Whatever you want to eat, go ahead and grill it yourself!"
Daisy sighed. "Barbecue again, Jerry? Can't you think of something new?"
"I just love barbecues, so stop being so picky. If you don't like it, go to the kitchen and ask the chef to make you something different." Jerry settled behind the grill and started to cook.
Daisy didn't respond but saw Kevin picking out ingredients. She sidled up to him with a coy smile. "Kevin, could you grill me a couple of chicken wings?"
"Of course, Ms. Sinclair."
Lillian sat next to Kevin, sharing a grill. She placed Lucas's favorites onto the rack and, picking up a small brush, began to apply sauce, asking Kevin, "Mr. Martin, should I put on this sauce first?"
"That can go on later. Try brushing some oil first," Kevin said nonchalantly, helping her with the oil.
While Lillian turned the food with tongs, she chatted with Kevin. "This is my first time grilling by hand. I usually just eat at restaurants."
Kevin chuckled, "Mr. Nelson loves it, so we have it quite often."
"So you must be pretty experienced with barbecues," she joked.
"Tastes great, I just make sure it's not undercooked," he replied modestly.
They talked while cooking, and soon their food was ready, sending delicious smells wafting through the air.
"Lucas, your skewers are ready," Lillian handed him a couple, cautioning him, "Be careful, it's hot."
"Ms. Hill, the ribs are done too, give them a try," Kevin offered her one.
"Thank you so much," Lillian said with a grateful smile.
Suddenly, Daisy sat down beside Kevin with a plate and asked haughtily, "Kevin, are my wings ready yet?"
"Just finished," he responded.
Daisy looked displeased and whispered, "What were you two chatting about? You seemed to be having such a good time."
Kevin was startled and quickly explained, "We weren't really talking about anything, just making casual conversation."
"She's tricky. Be careful she doesn't lead you on," Daisy warned.
Kevin remained silent.
Alexander and Theodore didn't join the others for the barbecue; instead, they sat leisurely in their chairs, sipping wine and chatting. Alexander also took notice of Lillian and Kevin nearby, laughing and enjoying themselves in a pleasantly relaxed manner.
He sneered inwardly, gently swirling his wineglass, squinting as he looked on, thinking to himself, 'is Lillian trying to win people over to her side starting with those closest to him?'
"What are you looking at?" asked Theodore curiously, following his gaze with a chuckle, "They seem to be getting along well."
"Who knows what scheme she's plotting now," Alexander said, diverting his attention away and stopping his observations.
Theodore set down his glass, trying to reason with him, "I think you're biased against her and unfairly targeting her. Honestly, from the few times I've interacted with her, she doesn't come across as you describe. You should be more forgiving. After all, she married you without any complaints—you're not being fair."
"You’ve only met her a few times," Alexander replied with disdain. "Someone paying off a debt, what's there to complain about?"
Theodore couldn't help but laugh, "What does that past issue have to do with Lillian? She just seems unlucky to have gotten involved with you."
Alexander lifted his head, drained the wine from his glass with a scoff, and remained silent.
Jerry, having been slighted by Doris, called out to them, "What are you two doing just sitting there?"
"Alexander can't stand the smell of smoke, and I don't like barbecuing. You know this. Us sitting here with you is already quite generous," Theodore retorted.
Jerry put aside his skewer and walked over with his cup of alcohol, slumped into the chair with frustration, and complained, "Is Doris blind or something? What's wrong with me?"
"And what's so good about her that you've been chasing her for years?" Alexander asked nonchalantly.
"There's everything good about her," Jerry insisted. "In her eyes, it's as if I can do nothing right!"
"It's good that you know," Alexander added sharply. "Chasing her all these years seems to have been in vain, but you can't even understand her preferences. Who else would think of having a barbecue outdoors in the dead of winter?"
"She likes it, doesn't she?" Jerry's surprise was evident as he half-opened his mouth and turned to Theodore, "Or did I get that wrong?"
Theodore simply smiled and nodded silently.
Jerry held his head in despair and let out a profane exclamation of frustration.
Suddenly, a loud voice rang out from Daisy, "Lillian, have you no shame?"
The three men immediately looked over to see what was happening.
Lillian stood in front of Daisy, poised and composed, and said, "Ms. Sinclair, please be polite with your words, and make sure you see clearly before speaking."
"Blatantly holding Kevin's hand without letting go, what are you trying to imply? My brother is still sitting right over there, so if I call you shameless, do you really feel wronged?"
"You really wronged me!" Lillian exclaimed, her fists clenched in anger. Daisy had been provoking her again and again, and even the most patient person would eventually lose their temper.
"I accidentally poked Mr. Martin with a skewer just now, and I was just checking to see if his hand was bleeding. You only saw what happened afterward and you're accusing me?" Lillian's chest heaved with agitation. "Are you being too harsh on me?"
