Chapter 791
While the mother and son were exchanging whispers, Mackenzie stood by
the car, pretending not to hear them..
She was actually quite conflicted.
She was well aware of her grandfather’s and Alessandra’s wishes.
If giving birth didn’t involve the conventional process of male-female union,
the long gestation period, and the pain of childbirth, as if it were just casting
a spell and producing a little figure, she would have produced a dozen or so
by now.
Alas, a troublesome wish, yet it had to be done. What a headache!
After ending his hushed conversation with Alessandra, Emmanuel hurriedly
walked over to Mackenzie.
“Finished talking?” Mackenzie asked proactively.
“Yes!” Emmanuel nodded, unsure if Mackenzie had heard their whispered
conversation.
“Let’s go home then!”
“Okay!” He quickly opened the car door for his wife, then took the front
passenger seat himself.
Alessandra still clung to them, watching their car leave and muttering for
them to come home more often.
Through the rearview mirror, Mackenzie watched Alessandra’s gradually
receding figure until it disappeared completely. Then, she spoke up,
“Emmanuel, how about we find other relatives to accompany your mother?”
“Huh?” Emmanuel’s body trembled, and he hurriedly asked, “Mackenzie, are
you suggesting…”
He thought Mackenzie had made up her mind about having a baby.
But unexpectedly, Mackenzie asked, “How are Ryder and Tia doing? If
possible, let your cousin’s family live with your mother, and I can arrange their
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D
Chapter 791 Terence Group’s Black Card
Emmanuel understood that this was for the convenience of people like his
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wife, who was of significant stature. It saved time compared to using regular
cards and making payments.
Of course, it was also a symbol of status.
People of stature wouldn’t go through the trouble of scanning QR codes for
payments like regular folks, especially in high-end establishments.
However, Emmanuel wasn’t entirely sure about Mackenzie’s intention in
giving him the card. So, he asked, “Are you planning to lend it to Ryder?”
“Yes.” Mackenzie nodded slightly. “I know you don’t want to leave your mother
alone at home, but I haven’t thought about living with her temporarily. This
seems to be the only solution.”
Emmanuel nodded. Alessandra hadn’t asked to live with him and Mackenzie,
so he wouldn’t impose such a request on Mackenzie either.
He also didn’t want to leave Mackenzie alone at home and go to his mother’s.
Moreover, his mother probably wouldn’t want that either. So, this might be a
suitable solution for now.
Moreover, if Ryder was pursuing Tia, he could really use this card to help.
Early the next morning, after Emmanuel dropped Mackenzie off at work, he
went to find Ryder.
Chapter 792
Ryder was doing some laborious work when he saw Emmanuel approaching.
He quickly wiped his sweat and jogged over. “Manny, what’s up?”
“Here’s the thing, Ryder…” Emmanuel briefly explained his conversation with
Mackenzie last night to Ryder, and then handed him the Black Card.
“How,.. How can I accept this?
Ryder trembled all over. How could he, an ordinary and unattractive guy,
have the courage to accept a Black Card gifted by a beautiful and wealthy
woman?
The card in his hand felt like a hot potato, and he quickly tried to give it back
to Emmanuel.
“Ryder, please accept it!” Emmanuel held his hand tightly, a hint of plea in his
tone. “Mackenzie also hopes that you’ll win Tia’s heart soon and have a baby,
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so my mom can hold a grandchild. In terms of living conditions, she’ll offer
you assistance!”
After all, Emmanuel also believed that this approach was more reliable than
him and Mackenzie having a baby. It could temporarily fulfill his mother’s
wish to hold a grandchild!
“Well…alright then, please thank Ms. Quillen for me!”
Although Ryder was an honest person, he didn’t want to accept the card,
even if just this once. He also wanted to show off a little in front of Tia.
Besides, he hadn’t taken his son to a high-end place for so many years; he
felt guilty as a father. Since Emmanuel and Mackenzie had this intention, he
decided to accept it gratefully.
That afternoon, Ryder finished work a little earlier and drove to the
kindergarten on his electric scooter.
This marked Tommy’s final few months at the kindergarten. Ryder had been
worried that after Tommy graduated, he wouldn’t have an excuse to see Tia
anymore. He was anxious to solidify his relationship with Tia before Tommy
left the kindergarten, as it would be difficult to find another chance later.
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Chapter 792 Inviting Tia to Dinner
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Seeing that Ryder didn’t immediately leave with Tommy, she frowned slightly
and asked, “Mr. Lowe, is there something else?”
Seeing that there weren’t many people around now, Ryder gathered his
courage and said with a trembling voice, “Tia, I… I want to invite you to dinner
tonight. If it’s convenient, can you bring your mom along?”
It was something Emmanuel suggested he do. He knew that Tia’s mother
placed a lot of importance on the financial capabilities of potential partners.
Tia did indeed become nervous. She discreetly glanced around and couldn’t
decide whether to refuse or agree.
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“Haha, um… if you’re not available, then… maybe another time!” Ryder’s
courage gradually waned, and he seemed anxious to leave.
Fortunately, he had his son with him, so the little guy quickly spoke up for his
father. “Ms. Franks, please say yes!”:
“Well… alright, but you’ll have to wait a bit!” Tia eventually agreed.
“No problem! We can wait as long as it takes!” Ryder suddenly became
extremely excited. He quickly took his son’s hand and left the scene to avoid
drawing attention.
Watching their figures recede, Tia bit her lip and decided to send a message
to her mother.
Since her mother hadn’t left Yeringham for home yet, she would leave the
decision of whether to come over up to herself.
Chapter 793
Ryder and his son had been waiting near the intersection close to the
kindergarten.
When it was nearing 7 p.m., Tia finally emerged from the kindergarten.
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“Mr. Lowe, I’m sorry for keeping you waiting. I had a few things to take care of.”
Tia remained polite toward Ryder.
In truth, she didn’t have any urgent matters to attend to. She had just been
waiting at the kindergarten for her mother to arrive, deliberately avoiding spending time with Ryder and his son to prevent any gossip.
“No problem at all. Work comes first. Shall we go then?” Ryder beamed.
He didn’t care whether things would work out between him and Tia in the
end. Just being able to spend more time with her already filled his heart with
contentment and joy.
“My mom should be here soon.” As Tia spoke, a taxi pulled up in front of the
Chapter 793 Marianne Meets Ryder
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kindergarten and out stepped Marianne.
“Tia, who’s treating us to dinner? Where are we going?” Marianne hurriedly
walked over to her daughter, paying no attention to Ryder and his son.
Tia had just messaged her mother, informing her that Emmanuel’s cousin,
Ryder, was treating them to dinner. Subconsciously, Marianne assumed that
if Emmanuel was handsome and wealthy, then Ryder shouldn’t be too
shabby either.
Little did she expect Tia to point at Ryder and say, “It’s Mr. Lowe. He’s inviting
us to dinner.”
Ryder quickly approached them, wearing a polite smile. “You must be Tia’s
mother. You look so youthful!”
Marianne’s excited expression froze on the spot.
She alternated between pointing at Ryder and looking at her daughter, still
finding it hard to believe.
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Chapter 793 Marianne Meets Ryder
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Good Lord, this man is related to the handsome and wealthy Emmanuel?! But
he looks older than me! Can Tia really be interested in someone like him?
Tia was well aware of her mother’s thoughts as she thought the same
emotional roller coaster when she first learned that Ryder and Emmanuel
were cousins.
“Mom, he’s greeting you. Why aren’t you responding?”
“…” Marianne was momentarily speechless.
If she hadn’t known that the man before her was Emmanuel’s cousin, she
would’ve kicked him to the north pole and let him have an eternal romance
with the polar bears.
Who did he think he was to pursue her daughter with his character and even
carry a deadweight with him?!
Ryder’s smile gradually turned awkward when he saw Marianne’s reaction,
and his sense of inferiority awoken again. Sigh, I really am not good enough
for Tia.
After a while, Marianne finally exhaled deeply and asked, “So, where do you
plan on taking us for dinner?”
Since they were already here, she might as well go along with it. It’d be a
waste not to eat.
“Well, Mrs. Franks, where do you want to go?” Ryder politely asked.
“Don’t call me Mrs. Franks. It makes me sound old. Just call me Marianne.”
“Alright, Ms. Marianne!” Ryder, being a straightforward person, still added an
honorific as a sign of respect.
But Marianne didn’t like it at all. She thought the man before her eyes looked
older than her, so she didn’t like the fact that he used honorifics on her.
“Can you afford wherever I suggest?” Marianne asked somewhat
aggressively.
Ryder nodded with a stiff smile, thinking that Emmanuel would never deceive
him. He could afford to eat at high-end places for free and treat them at
low-end places.
“Alright, let’s go to Kellen’s Heavenly Feast, then!” Marianne stated directly,
thinking that Ryder would back down and she wouldn’t have to eat with him.
“Mom, are you crazy?!” Tia was stupefied.
Chapter 794
Like the Serenity Resort, Kellen’s Heavenly Feast was a top-tier dining
establishment in Yeringham. A meal there would cost at least five figures,
and Ryder, an ordinary worker, certainly couldn’t afford it.
Though Tia knew her mother didn’t like Ryder, she didn’t expect her to be so
malicious.
“Mr. Lowe, maybe we should forget about it. Thank you for the sweet gesture,”
Tia said quickly to Ryder.
Ryder was indeed feeling very uncomfortable. Still, he gritted his teeth and
said, “It’s alright, Tia. If it’s Kellen’s Heavenly Feast your mother wants, we’ll go.”
“But…” Tia and Marianne were stunned. Is this man really determined to see
this through?
“Huh, let’s go then. Where’s your car?” Marianne glanced at Ryder with raised
eyebrows. If he wanted to pursue her daughter, he’d have to pay some price.
“… I only have an electric scooter…” Ryder spoke with his head down, almost
burying his face in the ground.
Marianne was dumbfounded. She could tell at a glance that Ryder was
pathetic, but she didn’t expect him to be so pitiful.
“I… I’ll hail a taxi!”
Seeing how persistent Ryder was, Tia began feeling sorry for him. The man
was really going all out to pursue her, no matter the cost!
Soon, a taxi arrived, and the four of them got in and headed to Kellen’s
Heavenly Feast.
“Wow, Dad! This place is so beautiful!” Tommy gushed in admiration while
looking at the magnificent building as soon as they exited the car.
At night, Kellen’s Heavenly Feast was adorned with shimmering lights,
resembling a fairy castle. Its exterior even outshone Serenity Resort
“Think twice. A meal here costs at least six figures! I don’t want to bankrupt
Chapter 794 Kellen’s Heavenly Feast
you!” Marianne decided to give Ryder another chance to back out. Her
intention was only to deter this unattractive man; she didn’t want to harm
him.
“Well, we’re already here. Might as well go inside,” said Ryder through gritted
his teeth. In actuality, he was rather nervous.
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Even more unexpectedly, just as they were about to approach the entrance
of Kellen’s Heavenly Feast, another taxi pulled up, and two women and a boy
got out.
It was none other than the Sheppard sisters, along with Robby!
The two groups collided head-on, leaving both sides somewhat bewildered
and incredulous.
What kind of fateful encounter was this to meet in a place like this?! Could it
be called an unresolved karmic bond?
Abellyn had previously acted pitifully in front of Ryder, claiming that she
couldn’t even afford to eat, and yet, here she was in this upscale venue.
Chapter
“Oh, so you’ve struck it rich? No wonder there’s such a pretty lady willing to
have dinner with you!” Chloe deliberately looked at Tia.
Abellyn was also curious and asked loudly, “Tia, what exactly do you see in
Ryder? Tell me, did you two get involved before our divorce?”
“I… I didn’t. Don’t make baseless accusations!” Tia quickly responded, her
anger flaring.
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Abellyn was about to continue her tirade when Chloe quickly held her back
and said to Ryder, “You’ve been married to my sister for seven years, yet
you’ve never brought her to a place like this for dinner. Now that you’ve met a
new woman, you bring her here to spend money. Do you think it’s
appropriate?”
Ryder was slow with words, and because Chloe had a point, he didn’t know
how to respond for a moment.
“How about this? Since we’ve run into each other today, whether you invite
one person or two, it’s still an invitation. My sister has been with you as a wife
for many years. It’s not outrageous for you to treat her to a meal, right?”
Chloe was skilled with her words, and Ryder couldn’t quite match her.
“What’s wrong? You’re not acting rich in front of your new love interest and
acting poor in front of your ex-wife, are you?” Chloe tried to provoke him
further.
Ryder turned to look at Marianne.
Men find it most difficult to maintain their dignity in front of the woman they
like and their future mother-in-law, especially since he knew that Marianne
was assessing his financial capability to decide whether her daughter should
be with him.
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“Fine! Let’s go together then!” Ryder impulsively agreed.
Either way, Emmanuel told him the card Mackenzie gave could cover the bill.
It didn’t matter if there was one person or ten-it was all the same.
Seeing him agree, Abellyn became surprisingly furious.
Back when they were together, he never tried to show off his wealth, always
appearing timid. But now, he seemed quite adept at it.
Chloe, however, held her back and whispered in her ear, “Let him pretend if
he wants to. We can save money!”
Chloe’s reminder woke her up.
Originally, Abellyn had brought her sister and nephew here this night.
because she suddenly received a million from Blake. She wanted to enjoy
herself and flaunt herself on social media.
Although she had a million dollars, she didn’t want to spend it all at once in
revenge; she intended to save some of it. But with Ryder around, she realized
it was an opportunity.
Regardless, in a little while, she would bankrupt him. If he couldn’t pay, she
would humiliate him thoroughly and crush his dignity.
“Let’s go then!” Abellyn sashayed in, leading the way.
Robby followed his mother while holding her hand and discreetly glanced at
Tia.
He didn’t find this woman more attractive than his aunt. Her butt wasn’t big
enough. Ryder, this ugly man, really had no taste!
“Well… let’s go in too!” Ryder finally held Tommy’s hand and invited Tia and her
mother.
Marianne looked at the man differently while also worrying about whether he
actually had any money.
“Madam, how many in your party? Would you like a private room?”
Abellyn was the first to arrive at the entrance, where two handsome men and
two beautiful women greeted them with professional smiles.
Chapter 796
Indeed, this was a top-class restaurant!
“Six people-oh, no, it’s seven!” Abellyn exclaimed pompously. “I heard that
you have an Emperor’s Suite here. I want that room!”
“Madam, the Emperor’s Suite has a minimum spending of 168,000. Is that
acceptable?” The handsome greeter asked with a smile.
Trained professionals like him wouldn’t display any doubt in their demeanor,
even if they suspected that these people might not be able to afford it.
“Wow, 168,000?” Abellyn exclaimed with feigned surprise, then turned to
Ryder, asking, “Is it okay?”
Seeing Marianne and Tia’s gazes also falling on him, Ryder gritted his teeth
and said, “It’s fine.”
Abellyn was shocked, seeing how generous he was behaving. You
motherf*cker, you insist on putting on this facade, eh? Well, don’t blame me
for bringing you down!
“Waiter, give us the most luxurious private room!”
“The most luxurious? So, you’re not interested in the Emperor’s Suite?” The
handsome greeter asked again.
Everyone was stunned.
“The Emperor’s Suite isn’t the most luxurious? What’s your most luxurious suite
then?” Chloe quickly inquired. “The Divine Pantheon Suite, with a minimum
spending of 388,000. Is that acceptable?”
Pfft! The Sheppard sisters nearly coughed up blood simultaneously.
Poverty really limited one’s imagination. They were familiar with the Emperor’s
Suite at best. They never expected there to be something even more
luxurious like the Divine Pantheon Suite.
“Great! We’ll take that private room!” Abellyn made the decision without even
consulting Ryder.
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Chapter 796 The Divine Pantheon Suite
“Dear guests, please follow me!”
This time, a different beautiful woman guided them to the suite.
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Seeing this woman in a tight-fitting dress uniform, all the women present felt
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