Secretly Married for 4 Years, He Regrets to Tears After the Divorce-Chapter 24: What’s With That Red Mark on Your Face?
The Lancaster family’s home was lively today; many people had returned.
Besides Adrian Lancaster’s father, Theodore Lancaster, and mother, Claire Sterling, his younger brother, Julian Lancaster, and younger sister, Lucia Lancaster, had also rushed back from abroad.
Today’s meal felt more like a long-overdue family reunion.
When Wren Sutton entered, everyone from the Lancaster family except Adrian Lancaster was in the living room, laughing and chatting around the Old Madam. The atmosphere was cheerful and warm.
"The Young Madam is back."
The servant’s announcement drew everyone’s attention, and they all turned to look at Wren Sutton.
Wren Sutton felt a moment of discomfort at being the center of attention.
If Adrian Lancaster had come in with her, all the focus would have been on him, and perhaps she wouldn’t have felt so awkward.
The Old Madam, with a kind and benevolent expression, happily waved Wren Sutton over.
"Wren, you’re here! Come, sit next to Grandma."
Hearing this, Wren felt a sense of relief, her awkwardness vanishing in an instant. She walked over gracefully, neither obsequious nor arrogant, and greeted everyone in order of seniority.
Her father-in-law, Theodore Lancaster, responded coolly and gestured for her to sit.
Her mother-in-law, Claire Sterling, was haughty, focused only on admiring her new manicure. She was so indifferent that she didn’t even bother to spare Wren a glance.
Wren Sutton was used to this. Ms. Sterling had always been like this. It used to upset her, but now she no longer cared.
Julian Lancaster and Lucia Lancaster responded politely, calling her "Sister-in-law," and showed no hostility toward Wren Sutton.
Wren Sutton sat down properly, maintaining a perfectly appropriate smile.
Coming back today, her main concern was the Old Madam’s health.
"Grandma, you’re looking well. Your cold must be all better."
The Old Madam had indeed recovered nicely. She patted her granddaughter-in-law’s hand and said dotingly, "I get better as soon as you all come back."
"Grandma, I’ll come back to see you more often from now on."
Ms. Sterling scoffed, her voice laced with a mocking, half-smiling tone. "To hear you talk, it’s as if you’re the only one in the Lancaster family. You’re so thoughtful, and the rest of us are just thoughtless."
Wren Sutton froze for a second, realizing her previous words hadn’t been precise enough. She quickly explained, "Mom, that’s not what I meant."
Since they hadn’t gotten a divorce yet, and they were at the family estate in front of everyone, she called Ms. Sterling "Mom" to keep up appearances.
Ms. Sterling was relentless. "Explaining is just making excuses. My hearing and comprehension haven’t deteriorated with age just yet."
Wren Sutton was speechless.
The atmosphere instantly became awkward.
Lucia Lancaster stepped in to mediate. "Mom, Sister-in-law really didn’t mean it like that. Don’t overthink it."
The Old Madam also came to Wren Sutton’s defense. "Even Lucia understands better than you. It was just one sentence, there’s no need to make a federal case out of it."
Ms. Sterling, unconvinced, was about to continue her tirade but was stopped by Theodore Lancaster, who took her hand affectionately.
"She means well. She comes back often to visit on our behalf. You should be happy about that."
After speaking, he gave his wife a meaningful look.
Seeing that her husband was placating her, Ms. Sterling gave him a coquettish glare but, for the time being, stopped picking on Wren Sutton.
Wren Sutton breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that some people had spoken up for her.
The Old Madam changed the subject, taking Wren Sutton’s hand.
"What have you been busy with lately? You’ve lost so much weight. Don’t you dare learn from those people online and go on a diet. Getting as skinny as a stick is ugly and unhealthy."
Wren Sutton’s heart warmed. "Grandma, don’t worry, I’m not on a diet."
"That’s good. No matter how busy you are with work, you must take care of yourself."
Wren Sutton nodded, not mentioning that she had quit her job.
The Old Madam chatted with her for a while longer. Julian Lancaster and Lucia Lancaster would occasionally chime in, helping to liven up the atmosphere.
After a little while, a servant came forward.
"Old Madam, lunch is served."
The Old Madam glanced at the time and said gently, "Not everyone is here yet. We’ll wait a little longer to eat."
Then she looked at Wren Sutton. "Call Adrian and hurry him along. We’re just waiting for him."
Wren Sutton couldn’t refuse. No matter how reluctant she felt, she had to act willing as she took out her phone and dialed the number.
He picked up faster than usual.
"Grandma wants you to come home for lunch. The whole family is here, just waiting for you."
Adrian Lancaster was already on his way to the family estate. "I’ll be there in ten minutes."
"Drive safe."
"Okay."
Wren Sutton hung up and relayed Adrian Lancaster’s message to everyone.
The Old Madam nodded. "Let’s wait in the dining room."
Ten minutes later, Adrian Lancaster still hadn’t arrived.
The Old Madam wasn’t anxious, but Theodore Lancaster was.
"What’s going on? He makes the whole family wait for him every single time. Who does he think he is? He’s starting to walk all over me."
Ms. Sterling soothed him. "Don’t be anxious. There might be traffic."
"No one else gets stuck in traffic, only him? And it happens every single time? Who’d believe that? I think he just doesn’t have any respect for this family. He’s unbelievably arrogant."
Ms. Sterling was speechless. Looking up and seeing Wren Sutton, she vented all her frustration on her.
"What are you just standing there for? Hurry up and call him! Do I really have to remind you to do something so simple? I really don’t know how you manage to be a wife. Your husband isn’t back, yet you don’t seem worried at all."
Wren Sutton rolled her eyes internally.
’I’m not the one driving the car, how would I know why Adrian Lancaster isn’t here yet?’
’Besides, just because Adrian Lancaster is late, does that mean I’m the only one who can call him? Can’t his own mother ask?’
"Mom, it’s my brother who’s not being punctual. Why are you taking it out on my sister-in-law? I’m the youngest here, I’ll call him."
Lucia Lancaster quickly dialed Adrian Lancaster’s number.
"Brother, where are you? Why aren’t you back yet? Dad’s getting angry."
"You guys go ahead and eat. Don’t wait for me."
"What do you mean? You’re not coming back for lunch?"
"Something came up."
"What could be so important that you can’t even stop for a meal?"
"It’s adult business. Don’t be so nosy."
Lucia Lancaster, not convinced, was about to retort when Adrian Lancaster hung up the phone.
She put down her phone and shrugged helplessly. "My brother said something came up and he’s not coming back for lunch."
"..."
Everyone had a different expression on their face.
The Old Madam was disappointed, Theodore Lancaster was angry, and Ms. Sterling was worried.
Wren Sutton felt nothing. She didn’t care where Adrian Lancaster had gone or what business had suddenly come up.
"In that case, let’s eat. Dig in."
Only after the Old Madam spoke did everyone pick up their chopsticks and begin to eat.
The chef at the Lancaster family’s old estate was a state-banquet-level master chef who had come to work for them after retiring, as he was a distant relative of the Old Madam.
The Old Madam had a dedicated servant to serve her food, so no one else needed to attend to her. Wren Sutton just had to focus on herself.
She had just eaten with Isla Griffith before coming, so she wasn’t hungry at all. But not wanting to be a killjoy, she tried a bite of every dish.
"Wren, is the food to your liking?"
"It’s delicious."
"But I see you haven’t eaten much."
"Grandma, I ate just before I came, so I’m not very hungry. I’ll definitely eat more next time."
The explanation was clear, and the Old Madam understood, so she didn’t press her.
After the meal, the family moved to the living room to watch TV and eat fruit for dessert.
Just then, Adrian Lancaster returned.
He apologized as soon as he walked in the door.
"Grandma, I’m sorry. Something came up unexpectedly and I couldn’t join you for lunch. Please don’t be angry."
The Old Madam feigned anger. "What was so important that you couldn’t even stop for a meal?"
"Something at the company," Adrian Lancaster said, making up a casual excuse.
"You missed lunch, but you can at least have dinner with us, right? It’s rare for everyone to be here today."
"I can. I’ll definitely join you for dinner."
The Old Madam was pleased, her face beaming. "Sit down."
Adrian Lancaster sat down next to Wren Sutton. Just as he was about to speak to her, Ms. Sterling suddenly exclaimed, "Adrian, what’s that red mark on your face?"
