"Your dad and them are here, let's go out to greet them," Ivan said with a smile, pulling Lia Aiken with him to welcome the guests.
As they left the Main House, Lia asked him, "Was all this your plan?"
"Yes," Ivan admitted honestly at that moment.
He leaned close to Lia's ear, sneaked in a quick kiss, and said softly, "Lia, I invited your dad and them over so our families could meet and discuss our wedding plans."
Lia stopped, feeling immense happiness inside, but outwardly she teased, "Wedding plans? You haven't even proposed to me yet, and you're already thinking about the wedding?" He always moved fast; once he decided he was in love, he'd confess, and once he confessed, he'd act, leaving her little time to think it over.
It was the same now; she didn't even know about all this. In matters of the heart, Lia thought Ivan was like a swift sword, acting decisively, quickly, and intensely, and she just couldn't help but love his fast-paced style.
Ivan stole another kiss, indulgently saying, "I'll take you to a place later."
He was definitely going to propose.
Proposal, engagement, marriage registration, wedding; every step he would follow through with, ensuring she wouldn't have any regrets.
Lia knew all this, feeling that happiness had arrived too suddenly and too swiftly.
It had only been a short two months since she met him.
But their love felt as deep as if they'd been together for twenty years. She would not regret marrying him!
The Aiken family of four stepped out of the car. Celine Taylor and her two sons looked reluctant but dared not say anything. The revelation about Lia's true parentage had caught them off guard, more dramatic than any TV show, Celine thought.
They assumed the Aiken Family's inheritance would belong to her children, but it turned out Nico Aiken still had shares in the Aiken Family, and Lia was actually Tom Aiken's biological daughter, not Nico's.
Nico even gave Lia a large sum of money as a dowry... Just thinking about it made Celine grit her teeth, but she was helpless.
"Dad."
Lia walked over and stopped in front of Tom Aiken, sweetly calling him dad.
She used to call him dad, but today, that word carried a different meaning. Hearing her sweet voice, Tom was so moved he wanted to hug his daughter, but he was afraid she might not welcome it and could only look at her emotionally. To his surprise, Lia took the initiative to hug him.
"Dad."
"Yes."
"Dad, I'm sorry for making you worry."
Tom hurriedly said, "It's okay. I'm not mad at you. It's my fault. I'm overjoyed that you still acknowledge me as your dad. As long as you're well, I'm at ease." Although Lia hadn't returned home for a month and didn't contact him, Ivan reached out every day to tell him how Lia was doing and her mood.
He actually knew well how his daughter had been this past month.
Tom was immensely grateful to Ivan.
This son-in-law was truly wonderful, absolutely wonderful.
Celine rolled her eyes and pursed her lips.
Violet Aiken looked filled with jealousy.
How infuriating!
Now, Lia had surpassed her in every way. As dad's biological daughter and with Ivan's genuine affection, today they came to discuss the marriage, soon Lia would become the lady of the Horne Family.
Violet was so envious it was palpable.
Noticing her daughter's expression, Celine discreetly nudged her, hinting for her to be cordial to Lia. If the sisters grew closer, her daughter might also marry into the Horne Family; the Horne Family had several eligible bachelors, all prime matrimonial prospects.
"Sis."
Violet and her brother both called Lia "sis."
Even Celine managed a smile and said, "Lia, your dad missed you while you were away. Oh, by the way, your room's all tidied up, just like how it was before. Well, actually, all the furniture is new. Your dad and I personally picked them out for you."
Lia just gave a slight acknowledgment.
She felt indifferent towards her stepmother.
She could forgive her father, but she held no goodwill toward her stepmother. She still remembered everything her stepmother had done in the past. Not seeking revenge was her generosity, but accepting her was impossible.
"Dad, let's talk inside," Ivan interjected, prompting Lia to give him a playful pinch on the arm for daring to address her father as "dad" directly.
But Tom only beamed with delight, nearly grinning from ear to ear, as he held his daughter's hand and cheerfully said, "Okay, okay, let's go inside so we don't keep the in-laws waiting."
