Even though I was just a fake girlfriend putting on an act for Sebastian Forrest, Gavin Forrest’s repeated calls of "sister-in-law" still made me feel a bit awkward.
"What’s wrong? Nervous?" Sebastian asked.
"No," I said, quickly shaking my head.
"Don’t worry, Madam Forrest doesn’t bite."
I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at him.
Sebastian Forrest’s lips curved into a smile, but he didn’t tease me any further. He looked up at Gavin Forrest in the front seat. "How has The Matriarch’s health been lately?"
"Don’t worry, she’s as hale and hearty as ever!" Gavin Forrest said, glancing at the rearview mirror. "She’s been over the moon ever since she heard you were bringing a young lady home. She’s been eating an extra half-bowl at every meal."
Sebastian gave my palm a little squeeze, his lips curling into a faint smile. "See? Nothing to be afraid of. The Matriarch is thrilled."
Despite Sebastian’s reassurance, I couldn’t stop my heart from pounding with anxiety.
The car headed south along the bustling streets, and the towering skyscrapers gradually gave way to a unique, tree-lined mountain road. Villas dotted the landscape, faintly visible through the trees. This wasn’t the somber, imposing manor one might expect from a powerful family. As the iron gates slowly swung open, the view before me was one of exquisite luxury, all veiled in an understated elegance.
The moment the car came to a stop, Gavin Forrest pushed his door open and got out. He casually took a wet towel from a servant, wiped his hands, and then turned to Sebastian with a smile. "Grandma is probably taking her afternoon nap. Let’s head to the living room first."
Hearing that I wouldn’t have to meet the family matriarch just yet, my anxiety finally subsided a little.
Just as I was giving myself a silent pep talk, Sebastian took my hand in his. "Are you tired? Want to go to my room and rest for a bit?"
"I’m not tired," I replied, quickly shaking my head.
Sebastian kept hold of my hand as we walked toward the house. He pointed out the various flowers and plants in the garden as we followed the stone path, which helped to ease my nerves.
But before I could even catch my breath, I stepped through the front door and immediately saw several people sitting on the living room sofa.
Sebastian had given me a brief rundown on the way over, so I guessed that the exceptionally elegant middle-aged couple must be his uncle and aunt.
As for the elderly woman sitting in the center—the one with a full head of silver hair who still looked remarkably vigorous—it was, of course, Madam Forrest.
At that moment, they obviously saw us too, and three pairs of eyes instantly fixed on us.
’I was completely unprepared.’ My heart leaped, and I instinctively turned to look at Sebastian.
Sebastian gently squeezed my hand, as if silently reassuring me and giving me courage.
"Sebastian, you’re finally here," the elegant, dignified woman said, speaking first. "Your grandmother has been up since the crack of dawn. She kept rushing Gavin to go get you and nearly ran to the airport herself."
Sebastian maintained his lazy, carefree demeanor, but his eyes were crinkling with a smile. "Auntie, I took the earliest flight this morning and rushed straight here the moment I landed. I didn’t dare delay for a second. Besides, didn’t I tell you I wouldn’t be here until the afternoon?"
"You brat! We told you to come a few days earlier, but you just wouldn’t listen, insisting on delaying for so long..." Although Madam Forrest’s words were a reprimand, her tone was filled with affection and indulgence.
Soon, her gaze landed on me. She beamed and beckoned me over. "Come, dear, come sit with Grandma."
I instinctively glanced at Sebastian.
"Don’t be afraid. The Matriarch doesn’t bite," Sebastian said, pulling me by the hand to sit beside Madam Forrest.
"You brat, were you saying bad things about me on the way here?" Madam Forrest shot Sebastian a glare before reaching out to take my hand. She looked me up and down, her eyes filled with approval and crinkling at the corners as she smiled.
"Your name is Chelsea, right?"
I nodded.
Madam Forrest patted my hand, her expression full of emotion. "I owe you so much for last time. If it weren’t for you, these old bones of mine would’ve been done for."
"I had Sebastian try to find you afterward. I wanted to thank you in person, but he kept putting it off, saying he was too busy." As she said this, Madam Forrest shot Sebastian a resentful glare. "Then, that boy of his went into seclusion at the research institute, and three whole years just dragged by. It was only a few days ago that he suddenly caved and said he’d bring you to visit..."
’I never imagined Madam Forrest had actually tried to find me after that.’ I thought back to how Sebastian had looked out for me in college. ’It must have been because of this incident. And that’s what made Chloe Miller always misunderstand, thinking Sebastian liked me...’
’Thinking back on it now, what a colossal misunderstanding.’
"Oh, right, I forgot to ask. How long have you and Sebastian been together?"
We had already gone over our "story" before we arrived, so this question was an easy one to answer. "One month."
Madam Forrest seemed to have a sudden realization. "So that means," she said with a knowing laugh, "you’re the reason that boy Sebastian left the research institute..."
I feigned a shy smile, forced to wear the label she’d just given me.
’Before coming here, I had carefully considered my ’persona’ for this act. I figured a simple, quiet girl would surely win over the older generation.’
"Honestly, you’re so stubborn," his aunt said, her voice full of pity. "You should have just told your father the truth. Did you really have to take that beating? He was beaten so badly he couldn’t get out of bed for three days..."
At her words, the smile on my face froze solid.
’What?’
’Sebastian was brutally beaten by his father for leaving the research institute?’
’Then... doesn’t that make me the femme fatale in this whole affair?’
"Why are you bringing that up?" Sebastian’s expression darkened. "Besides, it has nothing to do with Chelsea. I wanted to quit on my own." His features were already deep-set and defined, but with his cold, narrowed gaze, he became truly intimidating, exuding a palpable pressure.
But the old matriarch just chuckled, her scolding tone laced with indulgence. "You silly boy, who are you trying to scare with that sour face? Nobody’s blaming Chelsea. You’re certainly quick to defend her!"
I marveled silently to myself. Theodore Grant had told me long ago that Sebastian was Madam Forrest’s most cherished grandson. I’d thought it was an exaggeration, but seeing them today, I realized he hadn’t been wrong in the slightest.
Sebastian’s sharp brows arched, and a hint of a smile finally returned to his face. "Well, isn’t that because you taught me so well, Matriarch? A man has to protect his own wife, naturally."
The word "wife" from Sebastian sent a flush of heat to the tips of my ears. Even though I knew it was all an act, I still felt my heart skip a beat.
"You rascal!" His words made the old matriarch break into a wide, blooming smile.
Just then, his aunt suddenly asked with a beaming smile, "So, Sebastian, when are you two planning to get married?"
With that one question, the entire living room fell dead silent.