Married To My Billionaire Stepbrother novel Chapter 392

Chapter 392: Smart Kid Aiden

The family of four entered the grand drawing room of the Riverdale Villa, where the other members of the Riverdale family were waiting for them.

Aeldric was sitting in his grand high-backrest chair, wearing a crisp dark brown suit with various gold accessories attached to it. He carried his usual arrogance, as if he were the almighty here.

There was a woman in a simple yet elegant soft-colored dress sitting in the chair next to him—Aeldric’s wife, Marina Riverdale. Unlike Aeldric, she looked gentle and kind, though she carried that aura of authority.

Alexander’s younger sister, Mallory, was there with her husband and two kids, as well as some other Riverdale family members, including Alexander’s uncles and cousins.

They all watched as Alexander, a tall and handsome man in a suit, and his wife Serena, in a simple knee-length soft flower-printed dress, walked towards them. They stood with the two identical kids, wearing white T-shirts with cute cartoon prints and pants, standing between them.

Most of them started to whisper among themselves, some gazes curious while others carried disdain towards Serena and the two kids.

Aeldric’s gaze was simply observing his two grandsons; a delight was clear in his cold gaze.

Alexander stood calm while Serena greeted Alexander’s parents. "Good afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Riverdale."

"Serena? Is it?" Marina said, carrying a light smile on her lips. "Welcome to the Riverdale family."

Serena thanked her, while Mallory spoke to Alex, "You get marriage proposals from so many rich families like us, but you had to choose one poor woman who works as a school teacher?" Her gaze clearly showed hate towards Serena.

"You should consider your own choices in life, rather than mine," Alexander said coldly as he gazed past her husband and settled back on Mallory. "You didn’t make anyone proud either."

Mallory’s husband was a businessman, but his business was running fine due to the grace he received from the Riverdale family. He was dependent on Mallory and her family.

Mallory exclaimed, "How dare you insult my husband?"

"You dare insult my woman," Alexander replied impassively, leaving his sister fuming.

"You...."

"Mallory," Marina interrupted her, "Mind your manners."

Mallory frowned as she kept quiet.

Serena knew she was not welcomed here—and not like she wanted to be here. She was forced.

Aiden and Aaron made a mental note that this woman, Mallory, was not likeable at all. Aiden clenched his fists to control his anger, while Aaron softly held Aiden’s hand to soothe his rising anger.

Aeldric spoke, "My grandsons, come to me."

The two kids didn’t budge from their place as they simply looked at the older man, who somewhat looked like an older version of their own father.

"Go ahead," Alexander told them. "That’s your grandfather."

The two kids, obediently walked ahead towards Aeldric. The old man observed the two with delight. "Just as smart and handsome even at such young age. True Riverdale blood."

The kids were definitely eye-catching enough that anyone would admire them—carrying kids’ innocence but a matured mannerism beyond their young ages. They inherited the good genes from both their parents; one could tell these two boys would grow into heartthrobs when they grow up into men.

The old man put forward his hands as he said, "Come here."

Aaron turned to look at their parents, who offered an approving nod, while Aiden stood in his place, simply staring at the old man, no expression on his face.

Aaron, being the obedient child, went ahead and put his hand into Aeldric’s hand. He didn’t want to make things difficult for his parents, especially his mother, who might be blamed for any of her child’s actions.

Aeldric held Aaron’s small hand as he hummed, "Good boy," and then looked at Aiden. "What are you waiting for?"

Aiden met the old man’s gaze squarely. "My mother taught me to stay away from a stranger."

"I didn’t raise them. I barely met them in the past eight years," Alexander declared. "Serena did everything alone."

It displeased Aeldric as he said coldly, "And whose fault is it that my grandkids were raised in poverty rather than here in this lavish Riverdale estate, with everything best they deserved? What could a mere school teacher provide your kids..."

"Mr. Riverdale," Serena said calmly, "Though merely a school teacher, I never let anything be lacking for my kids. They were not raised in poverty. I worked hard to give them both a comfortable life."

The old man scoffed. "Comfortable life? Can it be compared to what they would have gotten here?"

"It certainly cannot, but they lacked nothing with me as well," she replied, her words clear.

Aeldric looked at Alexander. "This woman is arguing with me. It shows her lowly status..."

"She said nothing wrong," Alexander declared. "She raised both of them alone and worked hard for it. No need to belittle her."

Aeldric turned colder as he looked at Serena. "You have bewitched my son, but I won’t let you ruin my grandsons. From now on, I will raise them personally, and—"

"Mr. Riverdale, Alexander and I are not legally married, and he has never made any efforts in raising our kids," Serena spoke. "While raising them, I have never used a single penny from Riverdale. They are my kids. Riverdale has nothing to do with them, except for Alexander’s contribution as a man."

Though Serena looked kind and polite at first glance, her words were sharp and confident, as if she had changed all of a sudden.

Aeldric looked at Alexander, who said nothing to refute Serena’s claim.

"Aren’t you going to say anything?" Aeldric asked.

"She said nothing wrong," Alexander replied. "They are her kids. If you ask both of them, they would say the same."

Aaron and Aiden got back to Serena’s side, showing their clear stance, which only angered Aeldric.

His own grandsons disregarded him as a grandfather, while this lowly woman had entire control over not just his only son, but his grandsons as well.