The Good News from Black Manor

Over the years, as he gradually gained control of the inheritance rights, his adoptive mother's hatred had grown deeper day by day. Deliberately going on a family trip right before the engagement party this time was just the latest humiliation.

He took a deep drag on the cigarette. The spark flickered in the dark, reflecting the surging gloom in his eyes. Drake secretly looked up and, seeing the bulging veins on Richard's temple, couldn't help but hold his breath.

"I see." Richard's voice was hoarsely terrifying. He stubbed out the cigarette butt, and the spark died out at his fingertips, leaving a charred mark. After a moment of silence, he suddenly said, "Change the flight." His gaze landed on the pitch - black night outside the window. "I'll be back on the day of the engagement party."

Drake straightened his back and nodded solemnly. "Yes." His fingers quickly operated on the phone, but in his heart, he couldn't help but feel indignant for Miss Luna. The fiancé's family's collective absence from the engagement party was like a resounding slap in the face in the upper - class society.

Richard lit another cigarette. In the curling smoke, his expression was obscure. Drake quietly observed his boss - this man who was a dominant figure in the business world now seemed like a caged beast, angry and powerless.

"Boss..." Drake hesitated before speaking. "Should we call Miss Luna first and explain?"

Richard sneered, and the cigarette between his fingers creaked. "She'll understand." His tone was determined, but it was hard to tell whether he was trying to convince Drake or himself.

Drake wanted to say something but held back, eventually just lowering his head in silence. The cold moonlight shone in from outside the window, casting two long shadows on the floor, one straight and stiff, the other slightly hunched, as if bent by an invisible heavy burden.

Twilight, like a gentle veil, slowly enveloped Black Manor. The ancient stone - built buildings seemed to be carefully coated with a layer of warm and soft gold in the afterglow of the setting sun.

With a "creak", the wrought - iron gates slowly opened to both sides. Leonardo's black Maybach drove steadily into the manor. The wheels rolled slowly over the gravel - paved path, making a soft and细碎 sound, as if softly telling the joy of returning home.

The servants had already been waiting neatly in front of the door. Seeing him get out of the car, they quickly and respectfully bent slightly to salute and said in unison, "Welcome back, Young Master."

Leonardo nodded slightly in response. With a casual and graceful flick of his long, slender - boned fingers, he unbuttoned his suit. Then, he walked through the garden with an unhurried and leisurely gait.

At this time, the rich fragrance of roses wafted gently in the evening breeze. He subconsciously looked up and saw his grandmother lying leisurely in a wicker chair. In her hand was an ancient book, and the antique magnifying glass glowed with a warm and charming light in the setting - sun's rays.

Hearing the approaching footsteps, the grandmother slowly put down the magnifying glass in her hand and looked up. When she saw it was Leonardo, a loving smile first bloomed on her face full of the marks of time. But then, her eyes eagerly looked behind Leonardo, and a flash of disappointment immediately crossed her eyes. She couldn't help but sigh softly and said, "Didn't bring your girlfriend home again today?" As she spoke, she shook her head slightly, with a look of helplessness on her face.

Leonardo's lips curved into a faint smile. He walked a few steps to his grandmother's side and sat down leisurely, saying, "Grandma, why do you ask me this every time you see me?" As he spoke, he gently adjusted his cuff.

The grandmother let out a soft "hum" from her nose, took off her reading glasses, and carefully wiped them with the corner of her clothes. "If this goes on, I'll start to suspect that you actually like men." She tilted her head slightly and glanced at Leonardo, her tone full of deep helplessness. "In recent years, those rumors outside have been getting more and more outrageous. Even your uncle specifically came to ask me if the Black family is going to die out." As she spoke, her brows furrowed slightly.

Leonardo let out a soft laugh, leaned forward, and carefully adjusted the blanket on his grandmother's lap, his movements gentle and full of care. "Where's Gregory?"

The grandmother curled her lips in disdain. "Isn't he always following you around like a little tail?" As she spoke, she waved her hand casually.

"He has a girlfriend now. I told him to go back early to accompany her today." Leonardo explained with a smile on his face.

Upon hearing this, the grandmother, who had been leaning lazily in the wicker chair, suddenly sat up straight. The book in her hand dropped to the ground with a "snap". Her eyes widened in surprise, and she exclaimed, "He can find a girlfriend while being with you all day. Why can't you bring one back?"

She stared intently at Leonardo, her eyes filled with complex emotions - anticipation, doubt, and a hint of frustration. "Even if it's a man, the Black family will accept it."

Leonardo couldn't help but laugh. He bent down slightly, picked up the book on the ground, and gently placed it back on his grandmother's lap. Then he sat up straight and said seriously, "Grandma, I'm getting engaged."

"What?!" The grandmother's voice suddenly rose sharply. She almost jumped up from the chair. Her eyes widened like bells, full of shock and disbelief, and her hands subconsciously grasped the armrests of the wicker chair tightly.

"I've found the girl I love and I'm going to get engaged to her." His voice was steady and calm, yet with an unwavering firmness and determination. "I'm back today to inform the family." As he spoke, his eyes stared straight ahead with determination.

The grandmother stared at Leonardo with wide eyes, her hands trembling slightly. She stammered, "Engaged?" Then, as if afraid it was a dream, she suddenly reached out and tightly grasped Leonardo's wrist, asking eagerly, "To whom?"

At the same time, her mind started racing, thinking that the betrothal gifts hadn't been prepared, the wedding venue was still undecided, and she didn't even know the girl's preferences.

Her brows instantly knitted into a "chuan" - shaped frown.

"The second daughter of the Windsor family, Luna Windsor." Leonardo smiled slightly, his smile carrying a touch of happiness and sweetness. "The engagement is in a week."

"In a week?!" The grandmother gasped. Her expression first froze in surprise, then instantly turned into one of wild elation. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she exclaimed, "Am I really going to have a granddaughter - in - law?"

As she spoke, she hastily stood up, not even noticing that the blanket on her lap had slipped to the ground. As she walked out, she muttered to herself, "No, it's too rushed. I have to hurry and prepare the betrothal money - and the gowns, invitations, and the banquet - " Her steps were hasty, and her expression was urgent.

Leonardo watched his grandmother's bustling figure walking out, helplessly shaking his head slightly. He slightly lowered his head and glanced at his phone. The screen showed the newly - added contact - "Dear Luna". The corners of his lips unconsciously curved into a gentle smile, and his eyes were filled with anticipation for the future.

Before long, the living room of Black Manor was crowded with people. The elders in the family sat up straight, looking concerned; the collateral branches were whispering to each other, discussing in low voices; even the distant cousins had rushed over upon hearing the news. For a moment, the living room was filled with a hubbub of voices.

"Engaged? To a girl? Is it true?" A young cousin widened his eyes, looking extremely surprised.

"To whom? From the Windsor family?" An elder stroked his chin, looking thoughtful.

"Luna Windsor? Isn't she engaged to that Richard Vanderwoodson?" Another person asked, looking puzzled, his brows knitted tightly.

"Could it be that we're going to snatch the bride?" Someone guessed in a low voice.

"So what if we are! For Leonardo to get married, snatching the bride is nothing!" A straightforward collateral branch member shouted, waving his arm as he spoke.

Leonardo stood at the stairway, quietly watching the chaotic scene in the living room. He couldn't help but raise his hand to rub his temples, a look of fatigue and helplessness on his face.

At this moment, his second uncle, William Black, walked over with a wine glass in hand, his steps brisk. He raised his hand and slapped Leonardo's shoulder heavily, smiling and saying, "You rascal, you've made such a big move without a word."

"Second Uncle." Leonardo responded indifferently, nodding slightly.

William lowered his voice slightly, looking concerned. "Does the Windsor family know about this?"

"Eileen Windsor has already agreed." Leonardo replied calmly.