Chapter 14: Aunt Wang

The old Lyle family residence.

Located at the very west of Lindon Hill in South City, with convenient transportation, an asphalt road winds up to the villa on the mountaintop.

The road was funded by the Lyle family, and not just anyone can enter this road leading to the Lyle's; there's a gate at the foot of the hill, guarded by designated personnel.

When Elliana Lyle arrived, it was already eight in the evening, and she was feeling woozy, needing Norman Bennett's assistance to support her a bit.

She wasn't wearing formal attire, just loose shorts and sportswear, her hair tied up in a high ponytail, giving off a sense of sunshine.

This old residence initially comprised seven courtyards, but because the eldest uncle was once an overseas student and insisted on living in a villa, the old lady remodeled the residence into a hybrid of Chinese and Western styles, also for convenience's sake.

By this time, the old lady had already retired for the night, and they were received by the elder aunt.

"Oh, how come you're only here now? Your grandmother's already asleep." Bemusedly welcomed by Aunt Belle King, a woman in her late forties, standing about 168 cm tall. Noble and gracious on the surface, yet remarkably sharp-tongued.

"Aunt." Elliana's tone and demeanor were calm, neither ingratiating nor respectful, yet no longer sharply confrontational as before, appearing much more compliant.

When Belle King saw clearly the person standing behind Elliana, she immediately wore a smile on her face, realizing Norman Bennett was here today. "Oh, Norman also came along, must have been a tiring journey?"

Without waiting for Norman Bennett to reply, Belle King instructed the maid behind her, "Take Elliana inside to rest."

"Yes." With her head slightly lowered, the maid approached Elliana and said with a smile, "Miss, come with me."

Elliana was indeed tired at this moment, wishing she could just dive into bed, nodding slightly to signal the maid to lead the way.

There was actually no need for leading the way; it was just Aunt Belle intentionally categorizing her as a guest.

Seeing Elliana obediently leave with the maid, Belle King sidled up to Norman Bennett, chuckling, "Norman, truly a trial for you, that girl has been spoiled since she was little."

"It's late, sorry to trouble you arranging accommodations, Aunt." Norman Bennett's tone was very polite, yet distantly.

Belle King chuckled, "Alright, just like last year, your room's arrangement hasn't been touched."

It wasn't that she hadn't changed it, rather Norman Bennett hadn't shifted Belle King's arrangements.

"Norman Bennett, let me take you to see my mom." Suddenly a crisp and clean voice interrupted the conversation.

Elliana had unexpectedly turned back halfway, almost forgetting that her man was still outside.

Norman Bennett barely noticeable curled the corners of his lips. This little girl, just now realizing he was here?

Belle King felt discontent. She initially intended to introduce Norman Bennett to her eldest daughter, Phoebe Lyle; how come this girl came back again?

"Oh dear, it's so late, Norman should rest too; you silly girl, how can you be so unaware?" Belle King scolded warmly at Elliana, who had poked half her head out from outside the door.

Tch! Elliana inwardly cursed, if she hadn't come, Belle King might have had him stay in the room next to her big cousin's again, just like before, and it wouldn't have changed now.

Now she finally understood, everyone in the Lyle family coveted Norman Bennett, and she had once handed over the kingdom willingly!

"Aunt, Brother Bennett is my fiancé, of course, he has to meet my mom. Don't worry, Elliana will arrange a place for Brother Bennett to stay." Elliana's tone was playful, intentionally teasing Belle King a bit.

Belle King, however, didn't show her dissatisfaction, suppressing it, instead speaking earnestly, "Elliana, your mom must be resting now, and the wing where you stay doesn't have any vacant rooms, it's quite late, Aunt will first have Norman stay, you can take him to see your mom tomorrow, it's not too late then either."

"It's okay~ Brother Bennett is my fiancé, so even if we stay together, it's fine, right?" Then Elliana looked at Norman Bennett, squinting her eyes slightly, smiling as she asked, "Right, Brother Bennett?"

The look in Elliana's eyes clearly said, if you don't come with me today, we're done!

"Mm." Norman Bennett just stood there, the simple sound from his lips carried a bit of indulgence.

Having received Norman Bennett's response, Elliana found it easy to continue. She jogged over to pull Norman Bennett, cheerfully saying to Belle King, "Aunt, we're going to rest now, you should rest early too."

With that, she didn't care what Belle King's reaction was, pulling Norman Bennett along and running.

After a while, Belle King finally cursed, "This damned girl, doesn't she want face?"

The maid returned with her head down, saying nothing.

Belle King clearly hadn't anticipated this outcome; they weren't even married, how could they sleep together? Then she chuckled under her breath: just watch me complain about you to the old lady tomorrow!

...

Elliana had also slowed her pace by now, quietly allowing Norman Bennett to hold her hand in his own reverse grip.

She was thinking about what trouble Ada Lee might stir up tomorrow and whether anything would change just because she had come.

Passing through the garden, a small villa in front was where Elliana was supposed to stay.

It was quite amusing; except for the reception hall, she was only familiar with this small villa. The villa didn't have many bedrooms, only two, and the rest were study rooms, a music room, and a screening room.

Now her mom lived on the first floor, so she naturally had to stay on the second floor, but where should Norman Bennett stay? She really didn't know for the moment.

Approaching the small villa, Elliana suddenly stopped. She lifted her face to look at Norman Bennett and said, "You sleep in my room; I'll sleep with my mom."

"Mm." Norman Bennett's tone was light and gentle, with no emotion in it, yet his cold eyes revealed a trace of icy tenderness.

Two minutes later, Norman Bennett moved into the little girl's small room. It was called a small room because the large bed was filled with plush toys, large and small ones.

Plus, the little girl had admonished him not to touch her dolls.

Inside Mrs. Lyle's room.

Bella Hue hadn't slept yet; she knew Elliana would return, so she waited for her.

"Elliana, come sit over here." Bella suavely gestured to the person at the door, her smile kind and gentle.

Elliana felt a little sprint up to her mother's bedside, her eyes full of concern as she looked her mother over and caring asked, "Mom, how are you doing now? Feeling better?"

"It was fine already, but this morning I went for a stroll in the garden and your cousin's dog pounced on me; I didn't notice and twisted my ankle. That's why I couldn't meet you at the door." Bella said casually, as though recounting a trivial matter.

However, Elliana frowned. That Ada Lee! She didn't even leash her dog! Carefully she lifted the quilt at the foot of the bed, saying, "Let me see."

Yet seeing the red and swollen ankle, Elliana was shocked. That must hurt; so she asked, "Mom, did Ada Lee apologize to you?"

"She did." Her mother smiled gently, not revealing the truth that Ada Lee had merely scolded the dog, without further apology.

The night was deep.

It seemed everyone had fallen asleep, yet Belle King was still fuming and gossiping about Elliana with Phoebe Lyle.

"Mother~ Brother Bennett is Elliana's fiancé; if they stay together, what's the deal? Why bother?" Phoebe was clearly impatient with the conversation, her otherwise delicate and wise face straining as though tied up.

Though fond of Norman Bennett's type, she was different from Ada Lee. This man wasn't hers, and she wouldn't fight for him.

Belle King listened, suddenly standing up in angry frustration, pointing at Phoebe and chastising, "You foolish girl, I'm standing by you and yet you criticize me! You don't strive, but Ada Lee certainly will!"

"Oh mom! Enough! I just got a message from Joy; she's already at the foot of the hill, I'm going to pick her up." With that, Phoebe was already starting to put on shoes, no longer wanting to hear her mother's nonsensical rantings.

Belle King was momentarily stunned, then disdainfully yet curiously asked, "Why is she coming back? Wasn't she told not to?"

"Oh dear mom, after all Joy is your daughter, how can you ask such a thing?" Phoebe really didn't want to waste another word with her mom, standing up and heading directly outside, paying no heed to Belle King's shouting,

In this big family, Phoebe was considered the reasonable one, also being the only member of the Lyle family involved in writing novels. Her relationship with Elliana and Joy was neither warm nor cold, just fulfilling a sense of eldest sister duty.