Chapter 547: Ferris Manor
Barbara's Suspicions
Diana touched her cheek, asking somewhat uncertainly,
"Has it really changed that much?"
Barbara nodded repeatedly. "If you don't believe me, ask the museum curator. She'll be astonished by your charm."
Diana gave a nonchalant smile. Amazons valued strength; beauty was secondary.
Barbara, however, was overcome with envy. Diana's current skin was the dream of every girl. She couldn't help but press her.
"Which beauty salon did you go to? Laser resurfacing? Or new technology? Tell me quickly, so I can try it too."
"It wasn't a beauty salon. It was just an accident."
"You keep saying 'accident.' What kind of accident was it!"
Diana tilted her head back, smiling helplessly. She patted her friend on the shoulder.
"You can just think of it as a gift from the Gods."
Hmph!
Barbara pouted. "Fine, don't tell me, it wouldn't be the first time. But..." She leaned in, staring intently at Diana. "You have to tell me who the man is!"
"There is no man."
"My intuition is always right. You're definitely in a relationship."
"I am not."
"Then it was a one-night stand."
Diana opened her mouth, then suddenly froze. Seeing her reaction, Barbara exaggeratedly clutched her chest, utterly stunned.
"That's crazy! You actually..." She glanced around and whispered, "Who was the man? Was he handsome? Did he satisfy you?"
Diana was speechless.
She decided to avoid her friend for the foreseeable future.
Barbara flashed a cunning, Sherlock Holmes-like smile. "Even if you don't tell me, I'll find out. I want to see what kind of gentleman could cause such a massive change in Diana Prince, a woman who never dates anyone."
Diana turned and walked away, followed by her friend's fox-like laughter.
A Return to Coast City
That night was an accident.
Luke's original goal was to get information about the "method to achieve godhood" from Diana. He had no intention of having an intimate relationship, but after a few bottles of wine, everything got out of hand.
Drinking leads to trouble. It's true.
Christmas was approaching. For various reasons, Luke hadn't spent Christmas with his grandfather for the past two years. This year, he absolutely had to go back, and he needed to bring enough gifts.
On December 23rd, carrying a plane full of gifts, Luke and Linda began their journey back to Coast City.
After a long absence, the Shaw Manor looked the same; nothing had changed.
Grandpa Fu and Aunt Li were waiting at the entrance. Seeing him, they quickly walked up, both complaining and fussing over him. Luke maintained an awkward smile the whole time, completely lacking the demeanor of Young Master Shaw.
Once the two elders had vented enough, Luke quickly presented the carefully prepared Christmas gifts.
The group walked into the manor, laughing and talking. An'an and Beibei, the two German Shepherds, ran up excitedly, panting heavily as they circled him.
"Alright, I'll play with you later. Now, go to the side and squat."
The two German Shepherds reluctantly walked up the steps, sat on their hindquarters, and waited obediently.
"Good dogs!"
Luke smiled and headed to the main hall with the gifts. Perhaps realizing his grandson had grown up, the old man wasn't as angry as before. Instead, he called Luke over, and the grandfather and grandson chatted while sipping tea. Linda, meanwhile, went to the kitchen with Aunt Li to see what delicious food she was preparing.
The warm family life helped ease his mind and body.
After lunch, Luke visited his two uncles with gifts. In the evening, he drove to the most luxurious residential area in Coast City, where Carol Ferris lived. Her villa was the largest in the wealthy neighborhood.
As the only daughter of a billionaire, Carol hadn't developed the temperament of a spoiled heiress. She was intelligent, tolerant but not weak, and possessed an elegance mixed with a hint of stubbornness.
Her upbringing was partly responsible, but Luke's influence was also an indispensable part of her personality.
The two met thirteen years ago at a party. At the time, Carol was wearing a pink dress and was as delicate as a porcelain doll. Upon learning she was the legendary Carol Ferris, Luke immediately made his move, establishing a romantic relationship in just ten minutes.
He was seven years old then, just starting to lose his baby teeth. Carol was eleven, at an age where she was curious about everything but understood little.
The adults merely chuckled at the relationship, never imagining what would happen next. The unschooled Asian boy, using some unknown magic, utterly charmed the sensible and obedient Carol, who followed him everywhere and even moved into the Shaw Manor, abandoning her own home.
This incident served as a fuse, igniting the conflict between Luke and Carl Ferris (Carol's father). The two couldn't stand each other and would argue every time they met.
It's an age-old phenomenon: a father-in-law often looks upon his daughter's boyfriend with increasing disapproval.
Confrontation at Ferris Manor
With complex feelings, Luke stood at the entrance of Ferris Manor. This was only the third time he had appeared here. The first two visits had gone badly: one almost ended in a fight, and the other involved half an hour of shouting. He feared this time would be no exception.
A moment later, a smiling Carol rushed out and hugged Luke tightly.
"Didn't you say you'd never come to my house?"
Luke picked her up and spun her twice. "That was just anger; you can't take it seriously."
Carol's eyes sparkled as she breathed near his ear.
"You seem a little nervous."
"No, I'm perfectly fine."
"But your heart is racing."
"That's because your figure is so good, it makes me restless."
Carol rolled her eyes.
"My father isn't that scary. He was actually praising you a couple of days ago."
"Oh really? Praising me for what?"
"He praised you for being smart, capable, and someone who can achieve great things."
"The sun must have risen in the west."
Carol was speechless and couldn't help but slap him playfully.
"I don't care about your issues. All I care about is that you're staying tonight, no matter what."
Luke's heart warmed. He pulled her tightly into his arms, and feeling the softness pressed against his chest, he nodded firmly.
"Okay, I promise you."
They walked into the manor hand-in-hand. As for the gifts, the servants would handle them.
The manor was designed in a European retro style, resembling a castle. As soon as they entered the main hall, they saw a scowling face from a distance: Carl Ferris, the chairman of Ferris Aircraft and a business celebrity known for his iron fist.
The septuagenarian was staring at them with a carnivorous gaze. The air became inexplicably oppressive. Luke's mouth twitched, and he muttered,
"Didn't you say he was praising me?"
Carol rolled her eyes, pulling her mother, who looked resigned, toward the kitchen and leaving the living room to the two men who couldn't stand each other.
Carl Ferris had served in the military in his youth and held the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Even in old age, his physique hadn't deteriorated; he was tall, stout, and powerful. His severe, rigid face looked slightly menacing, giving off immense pressure.
Luke didn't like the old man one bit. But he had no choice, since he was Carol's father.
"Hello, Mr. Ferris."
Luke stepped forward and extended his right hand.
Carl Ferris looked at him coldly, offering no response. The atmosphere immediately became awkward. The servants nearby discreetly turned their heads, their expressions highly peculiar.
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