SWNOVELS Chapter 8
Chapter 8
After replying to the messages, Cynthia tried to call Mitchell but could not get through. Knowing that she had to go to the old villa tonight and not wanting any surprises, she sent him at message. “Text me when you arrive in Jiverton. We’ll meet tomorrow.” If Mitchell came looking for her on his own, she would be at a disadvantage. It would be better for her to take the initiative to talk to him. She sighed inwardly. She could have refused more easily if it were old man Yates, but it had to be Mitchell…
Time passed quickly. By the time she got dressed and was
ready to leave, it was almost six o’clock. After receiving a call from Mr. Walters, she quickly left the house. When she got into the car, she saw Joshua was there as well.
He was still wearing the same suit from earlier that day. His disheveled hair framed his cool, indifferent face, giving him an air of disarrayed beauty. Cynthia did not start a conversation with him, and the car smoothly headed toward the old villa.
As they were almost there, Joshua finally broke the silence, considering what they had to discuss that day. “If Mom asks. you later why you don’t like me, what are you going to say?”
“I’ll tell her the truth.”
“Cynthia.”
“Hm?”
“If you mention the Jayleen incident, my parents and grandfather won’t agree to our divorce.” Joshua’s handsome face took on a colder expression, and his eyes were covered in
a layer of frost.
Cynthia thought his concern was baseless. “Who said I was going to mention Jayleen?”
Joshua paused, a suspicion hanging in his mind. “What do you mean?”
“I simply don’t like you.” Cynthia explained it once more, speaking casually, “I find you uninteresting and not worth it.
Right now, all she could think about was Mitchell’s arrival. She did not have the energy to engage in a battle of wits with Joshua. Joshua wanted to believe that she was just being spiteful, but Cynthia’s reaction told him that she was serious and she truly did not like him anymore.
The thought left him feeling irritable. An indescribable emotion weighed heavily on his heart, lingering for a long time.
“Master Joshua, Mrs. Neal, we’ve arrived,” Mr. Walters announced, opening the car door.
Joshua and Cynthia got out of the car. Just as he was about to remind Cynthia that they had to put on a show for his family before bringing up the divorce, she calmly took his arm and said, “Let’s go.”
Joshua could not help but wonder if she had been pretending to be clueless around him all this time.
They entered the old villa, walked through the courtyard, and headed to the main building. The Old Neal Manor was similar to a hacienda, with a vast building area. By the time they arrived, everyone else had already gathered.
It was just a small family dinner. Aside from the two of them, only their grandparents, parents, and the housekeeper were present. As they entered, everyone greeted them warmly. Mrs. Neal Senior, in particular, pulled Cynthia to sit beside her, and the two of them chatted happily.
Observing the scene, Joshua’s brow furrowed ever so slightly. His intuition told him that getting a divorce might not be so easy after all.
“Mr. Ferguson, please serve the food.”
“Yes, Master.”
In no time, a variety of delicious dishes were brought to the table.
At first, everyone enjoyed their meal until Old Man Neal
cleared his throat and broached a subject. “You two have been married for two years now. When do you plan to have children?
“There’s no rush,” Joshua replied calmly.
“Did I ask you?” Old Man Neal seemed quite displeased with Joshua. “I’m asking Cynthia.”
Joshua fell silent.
Cynthia swallowed the food in her mouth before responding, There’s no rush.”
Joshua shot her a sideways glance. Was she doing this on purpose?
Mrs. Neal Senior asked with concern, “Is Joshua treating you badly? If he’s not treating you well, just tell us, and we’ll stand
11
up for you.”
“Just speak up, don’t be afraid. Our family members should never have to endure wrongfulness,” Old Man Neal chimed in, clearly fond of Cynthia.
Joshua interjected, “Grandpa, I am a family member.”
“Really? I thought you married into our family,” Old Man Neal retorted and his feelings toward his grandson were a mix of love and exasperation. “Cynthia plays chess with me, practices. calligraphy with me, and accompanies me during my standing meditation. What have you done for me?”
“Didn’t you want me to manage the Neal Group well?”
“No.”
Joshua did not know what to say.
“Grandpa, try this dish. It’s your favorite.” Cynthia used serving utensils to offer Old Man Neal his favorite dish.
“Cynthia is the best,” Old Man Neal immediately cheered up.
Joshua felt a bit redundant. He caught a glimpse of Cynthia pleasing the elders, and a hint of happiness that he did not even notice himself emerged from deep within his heart.
When Cynthia first married him, Old Man Neal had not been particularly fond of her. Although his parents were polite to her, they did not genuinely like her either. Aristocratic families valued equal social status, but they had already registered their marriage, so the dissatisfaction was not openly expressed.
Later, as they interacted more, Old Man Neal grew fond of
Cynthia and would often call Joshua to ask if she had any free
It was just a small family dinner. Aside from the two of them, only their grandparents, parents, and the housekeeper were present. As they entered, everyone greeted them warmly. Mrs. Neal Senior, in particular, pulled Cynthia to sit beside her, and the two of them chatted happily.
Observing the scene, Joshua’s brow furrowed ever so slightly. His intuition told him that getting a divorce might not be so easy after all.
“Mr. Ferguson, please serve the food.”
“Yes, Master.”
In no time, a variety of delicious dishes were brought to the table.
At first, everyone enjoyed their meal until Old Man Neal
cleared his throat and broached a subject. “You two have been married for two years now. When do you plan to have children?
“There’s no rush,” Joshua replied calmly.
“Did I ask you?” Old Man Neal seemed quite displeased with Joshua. “I’m asking Cynthia.”
Joshua fell silent.
Cynthia swallowed the food in her mouth before responding, There’s no rush.”
Joshua shot her a sideways glance. Was she doing this on purpose?
Mrs. Neal Senior asked with concern, “Is Joshua treating you badly? If he’s not treating you well, just tell us, and we’ll stand
up for you.”
“Just speak up, don’t be afraid. Our family members should never have to endure wrongfulness,” Old Man Neal chimed in, clearly fond of Cynthia.
Joshua interjected, “Grandpa, I am a family member.”
“Really? I thought you married into our family,” Old Man Neal retorted and his feelings toward his grandson were a mix of love and exasperation. “Cynthia plays chess with me, practices. calligraphy with me, and accompanies me during my standing meditation. What have you done for me?”
“Didn’t you want me to manage the Neal Group well?”
“No.”
Joshua did not know what to say.
“Grandpa, try this dish. It’s your favorite.” Cynthia used serving utensils to offer Old Man Neal his favorite dish.
“Cynthia is the best,” Old Man Neal immediately cheered up.
Joshua felt a bit redundant. He caught a glimpse of Cynthia pleasing the elders, and a hint of happiness that he did not even notice himself emerged from deep within his heart.
When Cynthia first married him, Old Man Neal had not been particularly fond of her. Although his parents were polite to her, they did not genuinely like her either. Aristocratic families valued equal social status, but they had already registered their marriage, so the dissatisfaction was not openly expressed.
Later, as they interacted more, Old Man Neal grew fond of
Cynthia and would often call Joshua to ask if she had any free
time. Joshua, who spent most of his time at the company, simply gave them each other’s numbers and let them contact one another directly. He was not sure what had transpired between them, but their relationship grew stronger. One thing was certain, earning such affection from Old Man Neal was not achieved merely by being sweet–talking or tactful.
Throughout the meal, the atmosphere remained pleasant, thanks to Cynthia’s efforts.
Cynthia knew that once the dinner was over, it would be time to discuss certain matters that were not suitable for the dinner
table.
“Joshua, go to the kitchen and prepare some fruit for Cynthia. Do it yourself,” Mrs. Neal instructed with a gentle and elegant demeanor.
Joshua glanced at Cynthia and gave a slight nod. “Alright.”
With Joshua gone, Old Man Neal and Mrs. Neal Senior turned their attention to Cynthia. Neal Senior pretended to read his newspaper, occasionally eavesdropping, the quintessential onlooker.
“Cynthia, be honest with me. Is there any special reason why you two haven’t had a child after all this time?” Mrs. Neal inquired delicately.
Cynthia hesitated for a moment.
Before Cynthia could react, Mrs. Neal Senior blurted out, ” Does Joshua have any fertility problems?”
“No,” Cynthia stammered, unsure how to respond.
“You don’t need to cover for him. No children after all this
Cropter
time must mean that the young man is incapable,” Old Man Neal, dressed in a traditional suit, said kindly but firmly.
Cynthia and Joshua, who had just returned with the fruit, did not know what to say.
Neal Senior caught a glimpse of Joshua and raised an eyebrow, looking at him with a meaningful gaze. “Son, are you not up to the task?”
Joshua’s face darkened. “It’s you who’s not up to it.”
“Where would you be if I wasn’t up to it?” Neal Senior retorted, proving that oldies were goldies.
Joshua did not know how to respond.
“What are you waiting for, Joshua?” Old Man Neal’s tone became stern, as if Joshua was adopted. “Serve the fruit to Cynthia.”