Leila was very surprised to see Sylvia here. The moment their eyes met, almost everyone in the hall was focused on them. The two of them were not mother and daughter, but their appearance looked strikingly similar. On the other hand, Lilia was not even from the Irwan family, but her appearance was mostly similar to the deceased Mellisa.
The hall door was still wide open, causing a gust of cold wind to enter. Everyone automatically trembled, taking their attention away from Leila and Sylvia.
Simon and Anton were immediately assisted by the servants to their seats. Only after Richard made sure that the elders were seated comfortably did he turn his attention to his daughter. The man frowned when he saw Leila who was still standing rooted to the spot.
At this time, the atmosphere within the hall felt a little strange.
Even though Leila was surprised that Sylvia had appeared here, only a few seconds passed before a cute smile appeared on her face. She walked slowly in front of Sylvia before reaching out to embrace her.
Leila said happily, "Aunt Sylvia, why are you here?"
Seeing this scene, Lilia raised her eyebrows with an amazed expression. She had to admit that Leila reacted so fast. At this time, Leila was not only actively dodging the trap Lilia and Mellisa had set up, but she also tried to turn the table on them.
The anxious expression on Sylvia's face slowly faded when she saw Leila's acting. She slowly got up from her chair and accepted the woman's hug. Then Sylvia pulled herself away before patting the back of Leila's hand.
"It turns out that we meet again, Leila. I didn't expect that I would meet you here," Sylvia said warmly.
Lilia watched the mother and daughter bring a touching reunion drama. The corner of her mouth lifted into a faint smile. She wanted to know to what extent Leila could maintain this acting.
Leila shook Sylvia's hand intimately, then she turned to look at Janice. "Mom, this aunt Sylvia is the person who helps me in Surabaya back then. I feel that our family has a special relationship with her! Did you see that our appearance is a bit similar?" Leila chattered in a cheerful voice.
Lilia was secretly in awe of Leila's strategy. Sometimes, the withdrawing side would likely win.
Leila's statement might seem foolish, but in reality, that woman's caution could not be doubted. Right now, Leila looked like a good girl stirring doubts in everyone's heart. This move felt naive, as if she couldn't understand the meaningful gazes of everyone present.
At this meeting, Grandpa Simon, who had sat down first, stared at Leila and Sylvia with sharp eyes for a few seconds. "Leila, don't say nonsense. You don't know how other people will pick up on what you're saying," he scolded.
The speaker might not have any intention, but the meaning could be changed by the listener. That's why Simon warned Leila to be careful with what she said.
Next to Simon, Anton put his reading glasses in his breast pocket. Then he gave Lilia a strange look. The old man suddenly patted his thigh and said to Simon, "But Simon, even if you say that, I still think that this girl looks like you!"
Anton waved his hand at Lilia, who turned stiff in her chair. The old man then continued his words.
"Simon, look at the shape of her face, isn't it similar to yours?! I remember you telling me that this child's eye shape and face shape were passed down in your family!" Anton said excitedly. "The first time I saw her, I felt that her eyebrows were exactly the same as yours."
After Anton finished speaking, no one in the hall answered.
Even the Irwan Family's third son, Randell and his wife, were surprised to see Lilia. All the family members felt that this girl's resemblance to Mellisa was uncanny, though the latter had died five years ago. After being reminded by Anton, their feelings grew even stronger. Lilia did resemble a member of the Irwan Family.
Everyone had very different thoughts, but only Leila said cheerfully, "Grandpa Anton, if you say that, then I will be embarrassed. My face is not like Grandpa Simon," she finished with a frown.
Anton finished his tea in two sips smiling, but said nothing. The old man seemed to be enjoying this family drama.
Jenny, who was on the left of the table, spoke up too. "Let alone comparing Leila to father, she and Richard have very little in common,"
Leila's smile tightened when she heard Jenny's words. She was still holding onto Sylvia's hand, but her palms started to sweat. Would her identity be exposed tonight?
Leila released her hand from Sylvia's grasp with a calm face, then she turned towards Jenny. The woman spoke sadly, "Aunt Jenny, I really don't look like my grandfather and father. That's because I look more like my mother,"
Even though Leila refuted her words, Jenny just smiled meaningfully and didn't speak again. She glanced at Richard from the side of her eye, and the smile on her lips gradually deepened.
"Okay, enough talking about that!"
Perhaps, it was because Richard caught a meaningful smile from his older sister that he gave up the topic. He raised his hand and ran his fingers through his hair before turning to Simon.
"Father, the reason why I gathered all of us here is to discuss the internal affairs of the Irwan family," Richard explained.
"If this really is an internal matter for our family, then why did you call Miss Lilia and her parents?" His younger brother, Randell, interrupted.
Randell was forty-five this year. The man had an innocent and honest face, very rare for a young master from a respectable family indeed. He really didn't understand what his brother was planning, so he asked bluntly.
Trisa, who was sitting next to Randell, was forty years old. However, her appearance was so well preserved that it made people think that she was still in her thirties. The woman was much more cunning and smart than her husband Randell. Her narrow eyes flashed meaningfully as she stared at Leila.
Then Trisa let out a shrill laugh. "Randell, have a little patience. Brother Richard must have his own thoughts, so don't interrupt. If you keep doing this, Daddy will nag you!" She scolded her husband.
Hearing Trisa's words, Randell immediately closed his mouth and lowered his head. The man's plain and simple character made him very obedient to his wife's words.
Meanwhile, Trisa was waving at Leila. "Honey, come here and accompany your aunt," she called.
Trisa had two sons, but they were currently studying abroad. Among the entire Irwan Family, with the exception of Richard and his wife, Trisa was the one who loved Leila the most.
Leila walked towards her aunt with a grim face and tears in her eyes. Her sad appearance was able to make everyone sympathize with her.
Trisa invited her niece to sit next to her. Then she raised her hand and wiped the corners of Leila's eyes.
"Leila, you know that your aunt is joking with you, right? Why are you taking it so seriously? Aren't you the little daughter of the Irwan family that we have been raising for years? You need to be more confident!"
This content is taken from (f)reewe(b)novel.𝗰𝗼𝐦