Chapter 327 Announce Your Existence to the Public
A moment later, the Allegras were brought into the reception room by the maid.
Elias said in a deep voice, “Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Allegra.”
Jack complimented with a smile, “Your estate truly deserves to be called little Imperia. We almost lost our way around here.”
Stephanie was also taken aback by the size of Winters Estate. She had always heard about. how magnificent the estate was, but it wasn’t until she was here that she was finally able to see it for herself. What a big place! It’s like a palace.
Edith, however, was in no mood to admire the architecture of this place. As soon as she entered the living room, her gaze shifted toward Amanda. She was only wishing that Amanda would call her “Mom,” but on second thought, it was a bit of a luxury to wish for.
“You flatter me, Mr. Allegra.” Elias’ lips curled into a smile.
Amanda had been listening to their exchange of pleasantries. After a long hesitation, she eventually said to the couple, “Nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Allegra.”
Jack and Edith’s expressions froze for a second at the distant manner in which she called them. They knew that this kind of thing couldn’t be rushed, but their hearts sank when they heard her call them in such a cold and formal way.
Jack turned his attention to Aiden, upon which his expression changed instantly. He teased the boy dotingly, asking, “Aiden, are you happy that your grandpa came to see you?” As he spoke, he handed over the toy he had brought with him. “Here’s the toy your grandma and I bought for you. Do you like it?”
“Wow, it’s so cool! I love it!” Aiden paid no attention whatsoever to the change in mood. between the adults. Carrying the new toy in his arms, he trotted aside to play with it right
away.
Only then did Amanda notice a man standing behind Stephanie, who looked unfamiliar to her and whom she didn’t recognize. Standing on tiptoe, she leaned closer to Elias’ ear, asking, “Who is that guy behind Stephanie?”
Elias also tilted his head toward her ear, whispering, “He’s the man she loves so much that she can’t live without.”
Oh… I see, thought Amanda.
Perhaps the couple didn’t feel anything about such a natural and intimate gesture, but it didn’t go unnoticed by the Allegras, especially Stephanie, whose heart was burning with
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jealousy as she watched this. The guy who was supposed to be my fiancé has now become my brother- in-law! How can anyone put up with this?
“Mr. Allegra, why did you get him here as well? Do you have something you’d like to announce?” asked Elias, guessing Jack’s intentions correctly.
Playing toys with Aiden, Jack replied with a smile, “Yeah, I do have something to announce. Aren’t
you inviting us for dinner? We’ll talk about it over dinner later on.”
“Well then, let’s get ready for dinner,” said Elias before leading Amanda out of there.
At this
very moment, Stephanie was a bundle of nerves, wondering if her father was going to criticize her again at the dining table later. Is Dad gonna scold Crispin and me again?
Crispin also thought he was going to get scolded. He clasped Stephanie’s hand, saying, “Steph, I’m here with you, and we’ll face this together. I won’t leave you suffering alone anymore.”
However, Stephanie silently withdrew her hand from his.
Crispin’s heart skipped a beat at her response. What does that mean? Is this woman getting cold feet? I’ll never give up after finally getting this far. I must become Jack Allegra’s son-in-law!
At dinner time, everyone took their seats at the large dining table in the dining room. They were at Winters Estate, and Jack wasn’t sitting at the head of the dining table either. However, he was the oldest of everyone here, and this made him appear as though he were the master of the house.
Elias and Amanda sat together with Aiden seated between them. They looked just like a family.
On the other hand, Stephanie reluctantly seated herself next to Crispin.
Everyone was silent; none of them dared to speak.
Elias also chose to keep silent, though he was supposed to play host to others now that they were on his turf. He knew that Jack must have come today because he had something important to announce.
The adults could remain silent forever, but not little Aiden, whose stomach was already rumbling. He demanded, “Mommy, I wanna eat! I’m starving!”
Elias said, “Mr. Allegra, why not let Aiden go ahead and eat first? He’s really hungry, and besides, he’s still recovering at the moment.” He had shown Jack enough respect by asking for the latter’s opinion despite them being at his estate.
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Accepting the favor, Jack replied with a smile, “Yeah, just go ahead and eat your fill. my little grandson. Don’t starve yourself.”
Amanda picked up some food and put them on Aiden’s plate.
Aiden picked up the food with his hand and ate them right away. He didn’t care what the adults were thinking. Whatever they’re thinking, it’s fine as long as I don’t get starved.
Jack picked up his glass of red wine and took a sip of it, seemingly summoning his emotions. “It’s quite rude of me to take care of my family’s affairs at your place today, Elias. I’d like to apologize to you in advance. I hope you don’t mind.”
Elias replied, “Don’t mention it, Mr. Allegra. Without your participation, Winters Enterprise wouldn’t have gotten to where it is today.”
Jack nodded before turning to look at Stephanie and Crispin across the dining table.
Seeing that he was about to talk about herself and Crispin first, Stephanie couldn’t help but plead, “Dad, I was wrong! I won’t be headstrong anymore, and I’ll obey you in everything. Can you please don’t talk about this anymore? I really have-”
However, Jack cut her short before she could finish her speech. “No, that’s not it. What I’m trying to say is this: if you two really love each other, I won’t stop you anymore. Just be together as you two please. When you want to get married, I’ll throw a wedding for
you.”
Stephanie was shocked by his words. Did Dad have too much to drink? But he took only a sip of his drink!
Sitting next to her, Crispin was simply beside himself with joy. He grabbed her hand, saying, “Steph, this is great! Mr. Allegra sees our love for one another, and he’s approved of it!”
Stephanie looked all dumbfounded. Dad actually approved of it! I wanted to use his objection as an excuse to reject Crispin, and yet he actually approved of it? “Dad… you didn’t have too much to drink, did you?” She was so stupefied, she wasn’t able to come to her senses for a long while.
Jack smiled. “Your mom and I have been thinking and reflecting a lot these days, especially after your sister was found. Aiden’s illness this time also made us realize that in reality, it’s fine as long as you all are happy. Who doesn’t want to do what they love in their lifetime? So, your mom and I have decided to give you and Crispin our blessing.”
Edith also looked at Stephanie with a smile. “Are you happy about this? It took me a long time to talk your father into agreeing to it.”
Stephanie had no idea how to express her bitterness at this moment. But I don’t want to marry Crispin anymore! she screamed inwardly.
Crispin nearly dropped to his knees and kowtowed. He said with tears of excitement, “Thank
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you so much, Mr. Allegra! I promise that I’ll make Steph happy. I’ll love her for the rest of my life!”
“Mm-hmm. Good to hear that,” replied Jack before turning to look at Amanda. “And now, let’s move on to the next topic. Amanda, we’re planning to announce your existence to the public. I want everyone to know that my eldest daughter Amelia has been found.”
His words came as a bolt from the blue to Stephanie, whose jaw nearly dropped when she heard this.
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She sprinted down the stairs but suddenly remembered her pregnancy and slowed down. Clutching the test strip in her hand, she wondered what Elias Winters' reaction would be once he heard the news.
Yet, when Amanda was halfway down the stairs, she saw two figures in the living room—Elias and a sexy woman. Slowing down her steps, she held the handrail tightly and felt her heart sink. That was because she saw her husband and the woman behaving affectionately as though they were a smitten couple.
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