In the early morning, golden sunlight filtered down upon the expansive green lawns of the estate's garden, where birds fluttered to and fro, filling the air with their melodic songs. Inside the neighboring two-story manor, the kitchen was a hive of activity as the domestic staff bustled about, busy preparing breakfast.
Nearby, a grand and luxurious dining table, spacious enough to seat ten people at once, was laden with an array of steaming, mouth-watering delicacies. Alongside these savory dishes sat tall, crystal-clear glasses filled with fresh fruit juices prepared for six.
At that moment, a man in his early fifties made his way down the grand, sweeping staircase, with Isabella following closely by his side. Upon reaching the dining table, the gentleman pulled out a chair for Isabella to seat her comfortably before taking his own place at the head of the table. Just then, Julian walked in from the backyard garden, carrying a golf club. Seeing everyone had already gathered, he greeted them warmly.
"Oh... Morning, Dad. You're all up already? Let me wash my hands quickly and I'll join you."
The gentleman was Mr. Thorne, Julian's biological father. He dismissed his son's rush with a casual wave of his hand.
"Take your time. We just woke up early and felt a bit peckish, so we came down ahead of you. When you head back upstairs, wake Ethan up and bring him down too. Let that boy experience sitting at a proper family dining table for once."
"Sure, Dad."
Julian excused himself from the elders and hurried upstairs. Midway up the stairs, he crossed paths with his uncle, Mr. Thomas Thorne, who was coming down. Clinging tightly to her uncle's arm like a spoiled child was Lily. She seemed to be pestering him for something, playfully skipping along behind him. Catching sight of Julian, she beamed brilliantly.
"Big Brother Ju! Up so early? Done with your workout already, I see. Guess what? Uncle Sam promised to buy me the latest designer handbag! You know, today Uncle Sam is going to be the most handsome, dashing angel in the world!"
With that, she went bouncing down the stairs. His uncle offered Julian a knowing smile before heading toward the dining area. Once upstairs, Julian quickly swapped his sweat-soaked clothes for comfortable, casual lounge wear, washed up briskly, and stepped back out of his room.
Approaching Ethan's door, he knocked to rouse his younger brother.
"Hey, little brother... You awake? Dad and the others are downstairs waiting for breakfast."
"..."
"Little brother... Ethan..."
Receiving no response, Julian pushed the door open and stepped inside. Ethan was still fast asleep on the bed, not even having changed out of his clothes from the night before. Julian walked over to the bedside and shook him gently.
"Ethan..."
"Mmgh..."
"Come on, get up. Let's head down for breakfast. Knowing you drank heavily last night, I had some soup prepared to help soothe your hangover."
"Go ahead... I'll be down in a bit."
"Come along, let's go together. I'll wait for you."
Still half-asleep and without opening his eyes, Ethan reluctantly sat up on the edge of the bed. Julian pulled up a nearby chair and sat down. Ethan threw him a bewildered, unreadable look, then turned away with a dismissive scoff and threw himself right back onto the mattress. Julian scratched his head, staring at his stubborn brother.
"Just eat without me. I'm not hungry."
Julian stood up and firmly hauled Ethan out of bed.
"Dad and everyone else are waiting. Dad personally asked me to bring you down. You can't skip this."
Ethan glared at Julian for a brief moment, let out a heavy sigh, and finally retreated into the bathroom to freshen up. A few moments later, he emerged, drying his face with a towel.
"Go on. I'll follow."
Julian gave Ethan a long, measuring look, then nodded slowly.
"Alright then. I'll head down first. Don't be long."
With that, he left the room. Downstairs, Julian took his seat at the right-hand corner of the table. Lily was easily the most energetic presence at the gathering. She eagerly took the serving spoon, scooped up a helping from the assortment of delectable dishes in the center, and walked over to plate the choice morsels for her father first. She then dutifully served her uncle and her mother before sliding into the seat next to Julian, eagerly scooping food onto his plate as well.
As she was serving him, she leaned in close to Julian's ear and whispered in hushed tones.
"Big Brother Ju... Mom was whispering to Dad earlier, trying to coax him into arranging a marriage between Ethan and Rosalie. Dad remained entirely noncommittal, but Uncle Sam was strongly against it. He said it's a terrible idea."
Julian cast a sideways glance at Lily, then subtly checked Isabella's demeanor across the table. Choosing to remain silent, he quietly went back to his breakfast. Just then, Ethan arrived at the dining table. He slumped into the chair next to Lily and drained a glass of juice in one go. A nearby maid immediately stepped forward to refill his glass while serving him the hangover soup that Julian had personally ordered for him.
Mr. Thorne casually ate his breakfast, casting occasional, calculating glances at Ethan before finally speaking up.
"Ethan... How are things progressing at school? Did your mid-term exams go smoothly?"
Ethan took a sip of his soup, answering flatly without so much as looking up.
"It was fine."
Mr. Thorne scrutinized him with a piercing gaze. Sensing the tension, Isabella hurriedly intervened to smooth things over.
"Oh, darling, the boy just wrapped up his exams, so he's bound to be a little exhausted. You know how it is—his friends are always inviting him out to have some fun, so he got back a bit late last night. He's just incredibly popular and well-liked, you see."
Isabella shot a pointed look at her son, signaling him to play along, but Ethan completely ignored her. Mr. Thorne let out a sarcastic smirk, his voice laced with disdain.
"Hmph. Busy indeed. No interest in the family business, and no outstanding academic achievements either. And yet you expect the Violet family to readily accept you? Ridiculous."
Ethan abruptly set his spoon down and stood up from the table.
"I'm full. Enjoy your meal."
With that cold remark, he walked away from the table. Isabella quickly hurried after him, desperate to placate her son.
Mr. Thorne popped a spoonful of salad into his mouth, chewed thoughtfully, and turned his attention to his younger brother.
"Sam... What was that you mentioned the other day? Something about Mr. Agatha Violet requesting a meeting today? What is it regarding?"
"Ah... It wasn't them who initiated the invitation, actually. I was the one who brought it up,"
His uncle replied calmly to his elder brother, gauging Mr. Thorne's reaction closely. He took a slow sip of his juice before continuing.
"There is a significant matter at hand. If it aligns with your wishes, brother, it could very well be excellent news."
He set his glass down gently and went on.
"They are people who have partnered with us for years, both in business and social circles. If an opportunity arises for our two houses to become one, would you be open to it, brother?"
The moment those words left his uncle's mouth, a wave of scorching anxiety crashed through Julian's chest, rendering him completely deaf to the rest of the world. The faint clink of his uncle's juice glass making contact with the table seemed to echo with deafening clarity in his ears.
Was he truly about to face the inevitable, undeniable loss of the one he loved?
Mr. Thorne looked back at his brother, throwing out a sharp counter-question.
"Are you suggesting we arrange a marriage between Ethan and Rosalie Violet?"
"I am not implying any specific pairing,"
His uncle replied evenly.
"But if you are willing to consider it, brother, this is something I wish to put forward. It is an arrangement that would bring no disadvantage to anyone involved."
Hearing his uncle's words, Julian found himself waiting on tenterhooks, desperately anticipating his father's response. Furthermore, his uncle's vague intentions left his mind in a turbulent whirl of apprehension. Sitting right beside him, Lily could clearly sense that despite her brother's calm exterior, he was inwardly trembling with profound agitation.