"Mom, it's not going to be that easy for Liam to get Charlie back."
Emma's eyes were resolute. Her father looked at his daughter, remembering the past years, and let out a heavy sigh.
None of them knew that while everyone was locked inside discussing countermeasures, a small crack in the door of Emma's room was slowly closing. Those star-like eyes could no longer be seen through it.
Liam drove all the way back to Sunrise Manor, his heart racing with excitement. But deep down, he knew Emma wouldn't let Charlie recognize him so easily. Especially not when he wanted to remarry her.
He could see from Emma's reaction today that, even if he didn't want to admit it, things were far more complicated than he had imagined. So when the car stopped at Sunrise Manor, he no longer looked as thrilled as before. Yet, in his icy eyes, a hint of warmth had unconsciously melted through.
"Brother, you're back early today."
As he walked into the living room, Amelia came out of the kitchen with a cheerful smile. Liam gave her a brief reply, but Amelia didn't mind. She still wore a happy expression on her face. After all, a few years ago, because of that woman Emma, her brother had treated her like she didn't exist for two whole years.
She had no idea how much she had sacrificed or how much she had done just to ease her brother's attitude toward her. Although he didn't come back to Sunrise Manor often, he still returned two days a week.
Today was the day her brother was supposed to come back, so despite preparing for her painting exhibition, Amelia came home early to cook dinner for Liam.
But as Amelia looked at Liam, she couldn't quite put her finger on it. He seemed different today. Yet, she couldn't say exactly how. While she was confused, she saw Liam being called into the study by their father, so she went back to the kitchen to continue cooking.
Even though she had already prepared many dishes, today was still the day he came back. So she had to make sure to prepare some of his favorites. Even now, the bond between Benjamin and Liam remained strained, but for the sake of their father, Liam would still come back regularly to keep him company.
Their father had also seen his youngest son's stubbornness. After two years of cold silence, he sighed helplessly and let it go. As long as it wasn't too obvious in front of him, he would turn a blind eye.
"What do you need me for?"
Liam walked into the study and looked at the paper bag their father had placed on the desk. His eyes were clear, but he still pretended not to know and asked.
"What else could it be? There are more than thirty candidates, and you're still single. I don't want to be the only one worrying about opening a branch for the Williams family. This is the photo and information of an old comrade-in-arms' granddaughter. She just came back from studying abroad. She studied business management, so she's perfect for you. In short, you have to meet her this time."
Their father threw the paper bag onto the table toward Liam, who caught it but didn't bother to open it.
"Are you that eager to have a grandson?"
Instead of refusing or ignoring it like before, Liam suddenly asked such a question.
Their father was momentarily stunned, then nodded firmly.
"Why else do you think I'm in such a hurry?"
In his excitement, their father even used the rough language he used to speak in the army. Then he saw his son suddenly smile inexplicably and look at him.
"Alright, I'll bring you my grandson and daughter-in-law as soon as possible."
After Liam finished speaking, he tossed the paper bag into the trash can. Unfortunately, he was very stingy. Their father couldn't help but stare at his eldest son, who was impossible to deal with, but he shrewdly sensed that what he had just said seemed to hint at something.
"What do you mean by that?"
Their father asked Liam in confusion.
"She came back with my five-year-old son."
With just one short sentence, Liam made their father stand up from his chair, his eyes wide open. He forgot to grab his crutch by the table.
"You mean she had my little grandson when she left? How is that possible? Are you sure?"
Although their father had always liked Emma as a daughter-in-law, back then, she and his son had ended up in such a situation that they would never reconcile. So he never expected that one day she would get back together with his son. Now, hearing that his former daughter-in-law had returned with a grandson who was several years old, their father couldn't sit still.
But he still couldn't believe it and asked repeatedly.
"Yes, he looks seven times like me. I don't even need a DNA test."
Liam answered firmly, thinking of Charlie's appearance, a gentle smile spreading across his face again.
Now their father was excited to see his little grandson, but Liam stopped him. He told him not to rush this matter. After all, Emma hadn't forgiven him yet.
"Of course she won't forgive you. When you gave her that shot, who could easily forgive you? But it's different when I go. Emma is a soft-hearted child. When she sees me, an old man, coming in person, will you stop me from seeing my grandson?"
Their father shot Liam a disapproving glare, his voice echoing through the room like a drum.
Liam listened to his father's blunt criticism and felt a bitter smile rise in his heart. However, it wasn't too late to persuade his father to wait until tomorrow to see him. After all, it was already very late.
Their father reluctantly agreed to endure one more night, then discussed with Liam how to bring his grandson back. As for Emma, it wasn't that their father didn't want her to get back together with Liam. After all, she had been a daughter-in-law for nearly a year. No matter the reason, he still liked the daughter-in-law who could patiently play chess with him. But in the end, their father was more clear-headed than Liam. Looking at his son and imagining that he could make Emma come back to him, he couldn't help but shake his head.
Who would have been deceived like that? Whether she was framed or not, she really shot her father, even if she later shot herself and nearly died. It wasn't really possible to clear the ice between them.
But now, their father decided not to say too much. He thought that as long as he could bring his little grandson back to the Williams family, that would be enough. As for the relationship between his son and Emma, they would have to figure it out themselves.