Chapter 198: I Already Have a Wife
In the Valencia family's ancestral home, Lucien’s tea room was filled with the soothing aroma of steeping leaves. Lucien, a seasoned host, deftly poured the tea, having invited countless guests to this very room. However, today's gathering was unlike any he had hosted before.
As the steaming tea cascaded from the pot, he filled three cups. The first he handed to Branden, who was seated next to him. The second he passed to Serene, sitting on his other side, before finally pouring a cup for himself.
By all rights, Serene should not have been able to accept this cup of tea from him, yet he offered it nonetheless. His motivations had nothing to do with orchestrating a match between Serene and Antonio.
Serene bowed her head in gratitude and accepted the tea, savoring its flavor with careful consideration. "Mr. Valencia, this tea is wonderfully brewed. It's aromatic yet mild, rich without a hint of bitterness."
Lucien chuckled, "I never expected you to have such a refined palate for tea, young lady."
In the presence of others, he always wore the mask of a congenial and benevolent host. Only in the company of Antonio did he allow his harshest severity and oppression to surface.
His gaze softened as he looked at Serene, turning to Branden with a smile. "Branden, you've raised an exceptional daughter."
Branden beamed with pride at his childhood friend's praise. "I can't take much credit. It's all due to Serene's own self-awareness."
Serene responded with an obedient smile.
Lucien nodded in agreement. Indeed, she was extraordinary. A woman of her caliber was truly befitting of the Valencia family's illustrious lineage.
He then inquired, "Have you little Wan found a fiancé yet?"
"Not yet," Serene replied.
Lucien grunted in acknowledgment, leaning back in his chair. "Do you have someone in mind?"
Caught off guard by the directness of his question, Serene's fingers trembled slightly. She lowered her gaze, a blush creeping onto her cheeks, before softly admitting, "Yes."
Lucien's eyes narrowed. "Which family does he belong to?"
Serene hesitated, then confessed, "I'd rather not say. He...he doesn't like me..."
Jerrett's surprise was palpable; he was hearing this news for the first time.
His surprise quickly morphed into fury. "Who dares not to like my daughter!"
Lucien's expression grew distant.
So, someone had caught her eye... what an inconvenience.
However, he couldn't let his true feelings show too obviously in front of the father and daughter.
Regardless, he had already decided that no matter who Serene fancied, that person would inevitably become part of the Valencia family.
With this in mind, he put on a diplomatic facade and offered, "We're all family here, don't hesitate to speak up. Who knows, we might even be able to help you make some arrangements."
"Really?" Serene's eyes lit up at his words, her spirits visibly lifted. She spoke softly, "Actually, it's... Antonio."
…
As the veil of darkness descended, Antonio found himself navigating the familiar path back to his ancestral home. However, upon his arrival, he discovered the hall devoid of Lucien's presence. Instead, a figure guided him towards the tea room.
With a furrowed brow, Antonio complied, Ryan accompanying him.
Within the confines of the tea room, Lucien and Branden were already deeply immersed in an amiable discussion, the topic of which revolved around the impending union of their two families. Serene, seated nearby, offered a shy smile in response to their conversation.
Lucien's demeanor shifted noticeably at Antonio's entrance. His characteristic sternness gradually resurfaced as he cast a cool glance at his tardy grandson. "You arrive so late and yet you neglect to pay your respects to your elders immediately," he remarked with a hint of disapproval.
Unfazed, Antonio maintained his detached demeanor, barely acknowledging his grandfather's presence. Instead, he offered a slight nod of recognition towards Branden. "Mr. Jerrett," he greeted.
Branden's gaze lingered on Antonio, scrutinizing the man his daughter held in such high regard. Despite his critical approach, he found no fault in Antonio's appearance, prompting a nod of approval. However, his expression soured when he noticed Antonio's hand entwined with Ryan's.
"Valencia, isn't this a tad unjust?" he questioned, his tone laced with indignation. "Your grandson already has a son. If my daughter marries into your family, won't she be relegated to the role of a stepmother?" His words sent ripples of shock through the room.
Antonio's expression hardened, his suspicions confirmed. The old man had summoned him back for a matter he had no business interfering in.
Without waiting for Lucien's response, Antonio declared in a resonant voice, "I've stated this numerous times before, I already have a wife, I have no need for another." His words were delivered with a cold emphasis, barely concealing the simmering anger within him.
Lucien barely managed to resist the urge to slam his hand on the table in frustration. "You insolent child, spouting such nonsense... If you continue this way, leave!" he retorted angrily.
Antonio met Lucien's near loss of composure with a fearless smirk. He held his grandfather's gaze, each word falling from his lips with deliberate precision. "Am I the one speaking nonsense, or have some people become so blinded by their age that they fail to see the truth? I have a wife and a child. Grandfather, are you attempting to force me into committing bigamy?"
The escalating tension between grandfather and grandson was too much for Branden to bear. "What do you mean he has someone else? Valencia, your taste is questionable at best! My daughter is the most precious thing in my life, and I refuse to let her marry someone like your grandson! Serene, we're leaving!" he declared, his voice echoing through the room.
Without hesitation, Branden took Serene by the hand and led her away.
As they departed, Serene cast a backward glance at Antonio, taking in his icy demeanor. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. Instead, she simply lowered her gaze and followed Branden out of the room.
Once they were outside the mansion, Serene attempted to placate her father's rage. "Dad, please try not to be so angry. Antonio's situation isn't really..."
But the mere mention of Antonio's name was enough to ignite Branden's fury. His face darkened and he swiftly interrupted his daughter's attempt at explanation.
"Serene, enough," he snapped. "Unless he divorces and completely severs ties with those other women, I will never accept this!"
Serene's hand stilled at her father's words and she dropped her gaze once more.
Back inside the room, the tension was palpable. With no one else present, the atmosphere grew even more strained.
Lucien contemplated using his cane to strike Antonio directly. However, Antonio merely smirked in disdain, effortlessly halting Lucien's action with a slight lift of his hand.
He looked down at Lucien, his aging face made even more prominent by his anger, and forcefully suppressed his own rage. "Grandfather, in case you've forgotten, let me remind you. I already have a wife, and I will not marry another woman. I hope this will be the last time I have to clarify this. Otherwise, next time, I might not be so respectful."
With that, Antonio pushed Lucien back onto the sofa. Lucien was visibly offended and outraged by Antonio's audacity. His chest heaved with anger and the veins on his forehead bulged.
In a fit of rage, Lucien swung his leg, aiming a kick directly at Antonio's knee. Antonio didn't move, taking the blow without flinching.
However, Ryan couldn't bear to see his father being attacked. He felt compelled to intervene. "Great-grandfather! Please, don't hit... Hiccup..."
Ryan had been anxious since entering the room and now his emotions got the better of him. He burst into tears as he tried to intervene. Suddenly, he found it hard to breathe. He clutched his chest, gasping for air.
Lucien’s attention immediately shifted to his great-grandson. "Ryan! What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
Seeing Lucien reach out, Ryan instinctively recoiled, fearing he was about to be struck. He shook his head, indicating he was fine.
Antonio, noticing Ryan's distress, quickly scooped him up. "I'll take Ryan back. His health is delicate; he shouldn't be subjected to such stress."
Lucien glared at Antonio, his gaze fierce. "Antonio, you've crossed the line! Since you refuse to see reason, don't blame me for not treating that woman with any courtesy!"
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