As the head of the family, he has always been dignified and steady, but now he seemed like a different person, rubbing his hands rather nervously.
After a moment, he asked in a gentle tone, "Are you hungry? I had the kitchen make some dishes. Your grandfather said they’re all ones you like. I don’t know if they suit your taste..."
Curling two fingers, Nora tapped on the page of the book and asked, "Do you have any of Evelyn Easton’s things?"
Upon the sudden mention of Evelyn Easton, Ernesto Scott halted his words, and after regaining his senses, hurriedly said, "Yes, yes, yes, she left mostly books and drawings, all in my study. Do you want to see them now?"
As he spoke, he couldn’t wait to get up.
Nora’s gaze fell in the direction of the study on the first floor.
When Ernesto Scott and Alma Ferreira went upstairs, they told Nora to feel free to look around.
She didn’t hold back either and after a loop around, she went to the study, where she saw some mechanical books, mostly published in recent years. Upon opening them, she found notes, which she guessed might belong to Oliver Scott.
Noticing her actions, Ernesto Scott understood and explained, "That’s the big study, where some ostentatious things are kept. My study is on the fourth floor."
"Oh." Nora closed the book, glanced toward the stairs, and said, "I’ll look at them after dinner."
Ernesto Scott nodded eagerly.
At the stairs, Alma Ferreira + Sophie Scott + Oliver Scott: "..."
They had never seen Ernesto Scott act so sycophantically.
Now, one dared to act like a doting father, and the other dared to order Ernesto Scott around at will. This bizarre scene left them stunned for a moment, but upon reflection, there was nothing but endless self-mockery and disappointment.
They, the family who had accompanied Ernesto Scott for many years, had never received such treatment from him. How ironic was that?
Oliver Scott and Sophie Scott both had cold expressions.
Alma Ferreira thought of the harsh words Ernesto had spoken earlier, took a deep breath, put on the demeanor of a dignified hostess, forced a smile, and headed downstairs.
"Lisa, is dinner in the kitchen ready?"
Alma Ferreira spoke gently, without any emotional fluctuation.
"Madam." Lisa emphasized the title and then replied respectfully, "It’s ready, I’ll have someone bring it from the kitchen."
With that, she went to the kitchen.
On the stairs, Oliver Scott and Sophie Scott exchanged a glance and also headed downstairs.
"Nora," Alma Ferreira softened her smile a bit and said softly, "I didn’t properly greet you just now. My name is Alma, you can call me Aunt Alma in the future."
Saying this, Alma Ferreira looked back at Sophie Scott and Oliver Scott, introducing them one by one, "This is Sophie Scott, your sister, currently studying in the History Department at Capital University. That’s Oliver Scott, your brother, still in high school."
When introducing the two, Alma Ferreira was proud and boastful. After that, she called them, "Sophie, Oliver."
She continued to introduce, "This is your sister, Nora Scott. From now on, you’re a family."
Both said nothing, finding it hard to describe their feelings towards Nora at the moment, mostly filled with negative emotions, let alone greeting her ’kindly’.
Putting the book on the coffee table, Nora stood up, and in such a rigid atmosphere, let out a light laugh, "No need to force being a family, let’s eat."
Alma Ferreira + Sophie Scott + Oliver Scott: "..."
If you’re so sharp, why did you even move in?
However, the overprotective Ernesto Scott didn’t care at all about how Nora was pushing the atmosphere toward stiffness, and hurriedly nodded, "Let’s eat, let’s eat."
Alma Ferreira + Sophie Scott + Oliver Scott: "..."
Damn, I can’t stand it.
Not long after, the dishes were placed on the table, and everyone sat down.
In the family, both Alma Ferreira and Sophie Scott didn’t eat spicy food, but out of the ten dishes on the table, eight were piled with chili.
There was no doubt that this was the flavor Nora liked.
Alma Ferreira and Sophie Scott stared for a long time, reluctant to pick up their chopsticks.
Ernesto Scott, however, didn’t notice, his mind entirely focused on Nora, asking her one by one how the dishes tasted.
With a "snap," the chopsticks were slapped onto the table, shattering the oddly warm and tense atmosphere across the table.
Everyone at the table turned their gaze to Oliver Scott, who had slapped the chopsticks down.
Meeting Ernesto Scott’s scrutinizing gaze, Oliver Scott said coldly, "Mom and sister don’t like spicy food."
"Aren’t there dishes without chili?" Ernesto Scott furrowed his brows and scanned the table, "If you can’t eat it, tell the kitchen to make some new ones."
With a loud screech, the chair was pushed back, and Oliver Scott stood up with a cold face.
"I’m full, I’m going to do my homework."
Oliver Scott fearlessly glanced back at Ernesto Scott, then stared at Nora, who was patiently picking fish bones, throwing down his words in annoyance— Find the newest release on NovelHub(.)net