Love At The Wrong Table

Chapter 98
“Yes, that’s it.” Ryder was reluctant to take more and could only continue
lying. “We’ve got more than enough already. You should take these back!”
A wry smile crept up Emmanuel’s face as he rubbed his nose. Should he
dare to reclaim the gifts, he was certain Mackenzie would not let him off
the hook.
Hence, he left the items at Ryder’s place and said, “We have many more
of these at home, and they’re all gifts others send to my wife daily. It’s
beyond tiresome! Ryder, do us a favor and help us clear some out. It’ll do
Tommy good to eat more as well.”
What?
Ryder and his wife were stunned.
Is this what it’s like to be royal? While we struggle to afford even a few
supplements, Emmanuel is treating them like trash?
“Well, I must be off!” With that, Emmanuel left the gifts there and left.
“Daddy, Uncle Manny is so rich! Mackenzie is so capable, and she’s really
pretty too!” Tommy exclaimed.
“Yes, your uncle has truly found a good wife,” Ryder said with heartfelt
admiration.
2/5

Among the three brothers, Emmanuel was the last to marry. They were
worried he wouldn’t find a wife, yet he had ended up with possibly the best
woman among them all.
However, his praises for Mackenzie had stirred dissatisfaction in Abellyn.
She could tolerate her son singing praises for the woman, despite
begrudgingly so. Nonetheless, Abellyn found the woman cloying.
She’s only two years younger than me. How dare she ask Tommy to call
her by her first name? She must be thinking that Aunt Mackenzie makes
her sound like an old woman, huh?
Upon hearing that her husband was praising Mackenzie, she lashed out at
him. “What’s the matter, Ryder? Are you jealous that Emmanuel has such a
beautiful and rich wife?”
Ryder knew full well that his wife was the jealous sort and quickly
explained, “No, not at all! Emmanuel is like my younger brother. I’m just
happy that he has found a good wife.”
“Happy for him, you say?” Abellyn sneered. “I think you just fancy his wife
and think I’m old, useless, and one to spend frivolously, right? Great! If
you’re so unsatisfied with me, let’s divorce!”
Then, she stormed off to pack her belongings, leaving Ryder stunned.
However, he quickly returned to his senses and ran after his wife.

Tommy was startled by the fight and broke into tears.
“What’s gotten into you, woman? When did I ever express my
dissatisfaction with you?” Ryder asked helplessly.
He was at his wit’s end as his face distorted in frustration.
Ryder had married Abellyn back then because she was young and
beautiful, and he thought he could put up with her temper.
Unbeknownst to him, the woman was more unreasonable and
tempestuous than he had ever anticipated, always quick to fly into a rage
and threaten him with divorce.
Now that their child was six years old, divorce was not a decision to be
taken lightly.
As furious as Abellyn was, she was secretly pleased, knowing that she had
Ryder wrapped around her finger. She was certain that he could never
leave her, which only encouraged her petulance.
“Ryder, do you remember what you promised when we got married? You
said you’ll never be interested in another woman and will love only me
forever!” Abellyn remarked.
“Of course, I remember!” he replied impatiently. “How could I ever be
interested in my cousin–in–law? I merely acknowledged her kindness
since she has presented gifts to our family twice.”

“Hmph! You’re just envious of Emmanuel’s luck. You think I’m not good as
his wife! Well, go live with her, then!” Abellyn hollered, hurling a pillow at her
husband.
The couple bickered on, their voices ricocheting off the walls. Tommy was
frightened into a fit of tears. Ryder finally decided it was not worth the
effort to argue further with his wife.
Meanwhile, Emmanuel was oblivious to the fact that his well–intentioned
gifts had ignited a storm in his cousin’s house.
When he returned home, Mackenzie immediately ordered, “Emmanuel,
pick me up at Azure Business Club at nine tomorrow evening.”
“Uh, why?” Emmanuel asked.