After Zelda Bennett and her maid left, Lida Yang glanced around and then spoke to Maxwell Thornton.
“This matter seems settled. Since everyone is already here, let’s stay a bit longer and have dinner together before we leave. We should also celebrate Kaytlyn’s return.”
Kaytlyn happily stepped forward, linking arms with Lida. “Aunt Lida, you’re always the nicest to me.”
Lida’s hospitality was hard to refuse, so if she suggested it, naturally Lily Bennett and Maxwell couldn’t leave without having dinner first.
Maxwell led Lily back to his room.
Maxwell’s new apartment was the embodiment of minimalist bachelor style—simple and bold, with very few personal touches, giving the impression that it was merely a place to sleep. In contrast, the room where he grew up was filled with memories, housing bookshelves, elegant paintings, and refined décor.
In the Thornton family, it wasn’t Maverick Thornton who seemed to hold the most influence but his wife, Lida Yang. Lily couldn’t shake the feeling that this woman was exceptionally sharp, impossible to fully understand after just a few meetings. Nonetheless, Lida was a remarkable woman.
Building a renowned jewelry brand from scratch at a young age was no easy feat, and it spoke volumes about her. Underestimating such a woman was a mistake. They say that women who excel in their careers often fail in family matters, but Lida appeared to be an exception to this rule.
Now at her age, not only did she have legions of admirers in the business world, but her family life also seemed enviably perfect. Three accomplished sons and one successful daughter—it was like something out of a fairy tale. Growing up in such a disciplined and traditional family, Maxwell shouldn’t have developed his overbearing personality, yet here he was.
Lily glanced at Maxwell, her anxiety evident as she asked, “Is your mother hard to get along with? What if I don’t act well enough, and she finds out?”
“You’re my real girlfriend, and my mother will be your future mother-in-law. Do you think any daughter-in-law wins over her mother-in-law on the first day they meet?”
Lily shook her head, “No.”
“Exactly. So just be yourself! But if you slip and someone suspects something, the contract will automatically extend. Understood?”
Though his words were meant to be reassuring, there was an unmistakable undertone of calm threat. Lily shot Maxwell a glare just as there was a knock at the door.
Maxwell opened it. “Angus, what’s up?”
Angus Thornton shrugged. “Just reminding you—Dad will be back tonight, so don’t scare your girlfriend too much. Otherwise, when you meet him, Mr. Bennett might not keep his cool.”
Lily stepped forward, tugging Maxwell’s arm nervously. “Is your father really that scary?”
Even Lily didn’t realize that, in her anxiety, she had instinctively grasped Maxwell’s arm.
The man’s gaze softened as he saw her cling to him. “You’ll meet him soon enough. He’s just a man, nothing to be afraid of.”
That evening, almost the entire Thornton family was present. Even Caliy Thornton’s husband, Bernie Arnold, joined the gathering. Caliy eagerly led her husband over to Lily for introductions.
“Lily, this is my husband, Bernie.”
Bernie Arnold was dressed in a sharp black suit with a crisp white shirt underneath, exuding an elegant, professional charm. He extended his hand to Lily, but to his surprise, she suddenly bowed and politely greeted him, “Hello.”
Kaytlyn, standing nearby, couldn’t help but laugh softly. She tugged on Maxwell’s sleeve and teased, “Maxwell, where did you find this adorable country flower? She’s so cute!”
Maxwell’s eyes glinted coldly as he shot a warning glance at Kaytlyn’s hand on his arm. Faced with his dangerous gaze, Kaytlyn awkwardly withdrew her hand.
Just then, Caliy turned back and noticed Kaytlyn standing next to Maxwell. She smiled and remarked, “Cousin, you seem to be in a great mood, like a flower blooming in the spring breeze. But try not to smile so wide; you might hurt yourself.”
Kaytlyn’s face instantly flushed red with embarrassment. Thanks to Caliy’s presence, the tension Lily had been feeling eased slightly. She finally extended her hand to shake Bernie’s and then quietly returned to Maxwell’s side.
At that moment, Maverick Thornton and his second son, Lorne Thornton, entered through the main door. This was Lily’s first time seeing a political commissioner, and immediately, she stood up straight, nervous enough to bow. Maverick glanced briefly at Lily before turning away. Lida approached, taking her husband’s coat and handing it to the maid before gracefully leading him to stand before Lily and Maxwell.
“This is Maxwell’s girlfriend, Dr. Lily Bennett. She currently works at the city’s central hospital.”
Maxwell, sensing Lily’s anxiety, wrapped an arm around her shoulders and smiled. “Yes, she’s my girlfriend.”
Lily turned to Maxwell, just realizing she was about to shake hands with a political commissioner. She extended her slender, fair hand and bowed, “Hello, Commissioner!”
With Lily’s adorably clueless and overly serious demeanor, one might think Maverick was greeting a university student during a campus visit rather than his son’s girlfriend!
Ever since her mother was cast out of the family, Lily had been absent from all the Bennett family’s gatherings. It was as if she had become invisible in her own home, with Camila ensuring she never had a chance to attend any social events.
While others enjoyed the festivities, Lily would be locked away in a small room behind the kitchen staircase, sitting alone by a tiny lamp and clutching the only photo she had of her mother. To outsiders, Zelda Bennett was the only daughter of the Bennett family, and no one knew of Lily’s existence.
Because of this, Lily had no experience in the social customs of the elite, nor had she ever been taught. She had no intention of learning such etiquette either. Growing up in such a loveless, cold household, Lily had always dreamed of marrying a regular man—someone not wealthy, but who loved her and cared for their small family. But fate is unpredictable, and somehow, she had crossed paths with Maxwell Thornton.