Chapter 142: Chapter 142: Hope He’s Tough Enough
If it were seventeen-year-old Thea Lynch, she might have chosen to be with Ian Preston without any hesitation at this moment.
The Thea Lynch now no longer has the impulsiveness belonging to that age. Her vision is far-reaching, focusing on the future. Love is important to her, but self is even more important.
Julian Zimmerman naturally understands.
This is Thea Lynch.
No one can become her restraint.
The two didn’t stay outside for too long, afraid the elders might not find them.
Back at the Lynch Family, Thea Lynch could clearly feel the atmosphere was somewhat strange. She sat down on the sofa suspiciously, carefully gauging her aunt across from her.
Then her gaze swept one by one over the faces of the Zimmerman Family couple.
Uncle Zimmerman wore a smile, looking no different from usual, but Aunt Zimmerman’s expression was a bit different.
When their eyes met, the smile in her eyes almost overflowed, looking even more excited than when they first met at noon.
Thea Lynch faintly felt a major event had occurred after she and Julian left.
Her intuition told her it didn’t seem like a very good thing, at least not for her.
Nervously drinking up a cup of tea, Thea Lynch put down the cup. She estimated that the time should be about right.
Sure enough, as soon as the teacup touched the table, her aunt asked, "Thea, you just went out with your second brother?"
"Ah, yes." Thea Lynch explained, "Just took a walk at the entrance."
Two seconds later, Thea Lynch immediately changed the subject, "Aunt, I heard from Sean Bell that our fourth brother is going on a blind date?"
This wasn’t a small matter either. Once brought up, the elders started discussing it.
Aunt Zimmerman seemed surprised; she naturally wasn’t aware of it, having just returned.
"Silas still needs to go on a blind date?" In Aunt Zimmerman’s view, Silas Cheney’s personal qualities are very good. Back when Silas was in junior and senior high school, there were plenty of girls who liked him.
Back then, everyone in the courtyard knew that when Silas Cheney was in high school, he brought a female classmate back to the compound.
Silas Cheney, with his sweet mouth, knows how to handle things best, absolutely the most likable personality among the kids in the compound.
If it were said that the others "ended up" going on blind dates, that might be normal.
But for Silas... Aunt Zimmerman truly couldn’t understand.
Her aunt nodded towards Aunt Zimmerman, then smiled at Thea Lynch, "You’re well-informed."
"Sean Bell told me." Thea Lynch didn’t hesitate at all, directly selling out Sean Bell. "He also told me they didn’t choose our fourth brother."
Upon hearing this, Aunt Zimmerman was even more shocked.
"Really?"
"Seems like it." Her aunt explained, "You also know about Mr. Cheney’s health. Didn’t he just want to seize the time and let Silas settle down?"
Since there were no outsiders here, her aunt didn’t hide anything, spoke openly. "Once Mr. Cheney passes, Silas hardly has any relatives here."
Not to mention Coronet, even on Silas Cheney’s father’s side, he only has a few cousins. There isn’t a single one closer.
It’s quite understandable how Mr. Cheney is feeling now.
After all, it’s a grandson he’s watched growing up, strict when strict, but didn’t skimp on love.
"That’s true." Aunt Zimmerman sighed, "Whose daughter is it?"
"The Sullivan Family from Riverbend. But the girl doesn’t seem to feel anything for Silas, insisting on seeing Ian Preston."
"Likes little Ian? How did he get involved?"
Her aunt said, "She was shown Silas’s photos. One of them was a group photo. You know, Silas and Ian Preston have always been close. So by some twist of fate, she ended up insisting on meeting Ian."
"I just don’t know what Silas thinks about this."
Thea Lynch quietly brewed tea, chuckled, "Don’t worry, he won’t overthink it, he’s happy enough."
Her aunt: "..."
"You child."
"It’s true." Thea Lynch continued, "He inherently doesn’t like blind dates aimed at marriage alliance. Didn’t he ditch several of them before? He’s been beaten quite a few times, but isn’t each time still the same?"
It’s called a blind date, sounds nice.
In reality, it’s just a rushed meeting, the two parties getting to know each other briefly. Regardless of personal satisfaction, the parents and elders on both sides take it as a default. The next step is directly preparing for marriage.
There’s no option.
In this circle, these situations are too common. Coronet’s social network is woven like this bit by bit.
But most choose to conform, unable to resist elder pressure, as power and status are everything.
Silas Cheney, however, is indeed an exception.
Hearing Thea Lynch say this, her aunt and Aunt Zimmerman gradually realized Silas’s parents were initially a marriage alliance.
One that failed.
Silas resists, and not without reason. Does Mr. Cheney not know something so obvious?
Probably realizes too, only it’s a pity, he truly doesn’t have much time left.
Eager to succeed, with no other solutions.
"Thea, you better not get involved." Her aunt cautioned.
Fearful she’d impulsively act as Silas’s advocate.
"I know." Thea Lynch certainly understands, she has no right to interfere in other’s family matters, "I won’t mention this to Mr. Cheney."
"Just pretend you don’t know."
"Mm-hm." Thea Lynch responded.
Thea Lynch thought this matter had nothing to do with her, the only thing she could do was silently root for Silas.
Hope he withstands the beatings a bit better this time.
Unlike Mr. Bell, who when Sean Bell made mistakes, would reprimand him symbolically, focusing mainly on four words: stop at the right time. Acting as intimidation, mainly verbal. As for Mr. Preston, typical ’ruthless without words’ approach.
Mr. Cheney, on the other hand, was intermediate between the two, never holding back his blows, though verbal reprimand was also frequent.
But unexpectedly, in the evening when going to see Mr. Cheney with Aunt Zimmerman, the old man left her behind.
"Thea, wait a moment." The group turned back in unison.
Her aunt wanted to say something, but Thea Lynch stopped her. "Aunt, you all go back first, I’ll talk with grandpa a bit longer."
Clearly, Mr. Cheney had something to discuss.
Her aunt was a bit uneasy, "Julian will stay too, Thea’s afraid of the dark, might be scared going back alone."
"Alright." Julian agreed, Mr. Cheney didn’t say anything.
Once her aunt left, the crowded room instantly became spacious and quiet.
Mr. Cheney beckoned to them, "Come sit."
He couldn’t get out of bed now, the two sat on chairs beside it.
Mr. Cheney tried to maintain a smile, his gaze always resting on Thea Lynch.
"Thea, how do you feel about your fourth brother?"
"..." Clever as Thea Lynch was, once the old man spoke, she pretty much understood. "My fourth brother is very good, in every way."
Before the old man could speak, Thea Lynch smiled faintly, added, "But I only see him as a brother, with no other feelings."
