The atmosphere inside the car turned painfully awkward.
Liesa cleared her throat and glanced at the two people waiting outside, both peeking toward the car. Then she asked seriously, "Mr. Romano, since I'm attending tonight as your girlfriend, how would you like me to treat your family?"
Angus shot her a cold look. "I don't have family here," Angus said slowly.
Liesa nodded slightly.
She thought,
Liesa pushed open the car door and stepped out first. She walked around to Angus's side, helped him down carefully, then settled him into the wheelchair before pushing him forward.
The moment Angus appeared, Nina and the tall man hurried over.
Liesa studied the tall man quietly. His features looked somewhat similar to Angus's.
Liesa immediately guessed the identity. She thought,
"Angus, you're finally here," Silas said casually, sounding almost like he was complaining. "Richard's been waiting forever."
While speaking, Silas bent slightly and reached toward Angus's sleeve, as if trying to pull him closer. Anyone watching might think the brothers were close.
Angus didn't even bother playing along. He didn't lift his head, let alone respond.
Sam stepped smoothly between them with a polite smile.
"Since Mr. Grayson has been waiting so eagerly, perhaps we should head inside now," Sam said calmly.
Silas's expression stiffened for a second. He stepped aside awkwardly.
Liesa watched the reaction without showing it. She wondered,
Before Liesa could observe further, Silas noticed her pushing the wheelchair. He frowned slightly. "And this is…?"
Before Liesa could speak, Angus answered first.
"How long are you planning to block the doorway?" Angus asked coldly. It was the first sentence he had spoken since leaving the car.
Embarrassment flashed across Silas's face.
"Right, right. Let's head inside first," Silas said quickly.
Liesa took the hint and pushed Angus forward.
Silas hurried beside them, chatting nonstop and asking about Angus's health as if they were affectionate brothers.
Nina followed half a step behind. When she saw Silas's eager flattery, disgust flickered across Nina's eyes.
Nina thought,
Then Nina's gaze landed on Liesa's back.
She looked over the plain clothes first. Then she noticed the expensive jewelry resting against Liesa's neck and wrist.
Disdain rose in Nina's chest, sharp and bitter as she wondered,
Each person carried different thoughts as they walked into the hall.
The interior looked lavish to the point of excess. Antique vases stood everywhere. Famous paintings covered the walls. Dark leather furniture filled the room. Every corner practically shouted one word—money.
Liesa's lips twitched slightly.
She thought,
Liesa had always heard the Romano family described as refined business elites. Seeing this decoration made Liesa doubt those rumors immediately.
Then Liesa noticed Sam glancing toward Angus with concern.
Understanding came quickly.
Liesa realized,
When Angus looked around the hall, Angus's eyes darkened.
Silas didn't notice the change at all. Silas watched Angus expectantly. "Richard's getting older," Silas said with a casual smile. "And he doesn't like dull colors anymore, so I had the place redecorated. What do you think?"
Liesa immediately glanced at Angus. She assumed Angus would ignore the question.
Instead, Angus spoke in a flat voice. "Ugly."
The word had barely left Angus's mouth when footsteps sounded from upstairs.
Richard walked down the staircase and caught the comment immediately.
Richard's brows furrowed. "Who are you calling ugly?" Richard asked sharply.
"Richard, Angus didn't mean you," Silas said quickly. Silas waved his hands in a nervous attempt to calm things down. He looked tense, as if afraid the father and son would start another fight.
Richard paused on the last step before walking closer. His gaze slowly dropped to Angus's legs.
Richard's expression turned cold. "Still not healed?" Richard asked.
"Thanks to you," Angus replied lazily.
Those four words landed like a blade in the room. The air in the living room tightened instantly.
Liesa quietly took a small step backward.
She thought,
Unfortunately, in the next second, Richard's eyes landed directly on Liesa.
"Who is she?" Richard asked coldly.
Sam couldn't interrupt at a moment like this. Angus clearly had no interest in explaining anything.
So Liesa stepped forward with a polite smile.
"Hello, Mr. Grayson," Liesa said calmly. "My name is Liesa Valtieri. I'm Angus's girlfriend."
Richard had already heard rumors about Angus having a girlfriend.
Seeing Liesa now didn't surprise Richard much.