Thomas Fisher was engrossed in interacting with Alice Turner inside the car, completely oblivious to the four people coming out of the restaurant. When Isla Lane called out to him, his brow furrowed immediately.
However, by the time he turned his head towards the four people in response to the voice, his furrowed brows had already relaxed, and his expression had returned to normal.
Seeing the four people walking towards him, Thomas Fisher straightened up and turned to face them simultaneously.
Vroom!
A sudden engine startle from behind made the unprepared Thomas Fisher jump. On instinct, he turned back and saw Alice Turner driving away.
Watching the car speed off, he suddenly felt a void in his heart.
The footsteps behind him drew closer. Thomas Fisher quickly gathered his lost emotions and turned back to greet the approaching four elders.
"Why did Alice leave?"
It was still Isla Lane asking. Although she was happy to see Alice driving away, she felt deeply puzzled and confused.
They hadn’t left yet, so her daughter-in-law shouldn’t have left, especially after seeing them come out. Her daughter-in-law wasn’t the kind of person who was impolite; something must have happened just now.
Thomas Fisher raised his hand, pointing in the direction Alice Turner had just driven off. Instantly, he switched into a lying mode: "Someone called her about an urgent matter, and she let me apologize to you and Uncle Alexander on her behalf."
He was starting to admire himself. The way he lied, the expression on his face, and the lie itself felt utterly perfect to him; at any rate, he couldn’t see any flaws.
"Oh!"
As Thomas Fisher spoke earnestly, Isla Lane didn’t notice he was lying and completely believed his words, genuinely thinking that Alice Turner had been called away.
Not only Isla Lane didn’t realize it, but Sophia Wood, Christopher Turner, and Alexander Shaw also didn’t notice; none of them questioned him.
"Dear in-law! Dear mother-in-law! Then let’s part ways here; we’ll see each other tomorrow."
Once again, it was Isla Lane speaking, this time bidding farewell to Sophia Wood and Christopher Turner rather than talking to Thomas Fisher.
"See you tomorrow then!"
Sophia Wood smiled as she responded to Isla Lane.
Christopher Turner and Alexander Shaw appeared much more indifferent; the two merely shook hands without much verbal exchange.
"Thomas! Aren’t you leaving yet?"
Today, Isla Lane paid special attention to Thomas Fisher. Seeing him stand there with no intention of leaving, she couldn’t help but approach to ask again.
Thomas Fisher remained in lying mode, "I’m waiting for a designated driver."
Whether he needed a designated driver could be decided later; his focus was on sending off the four elders first.
"Then Alexander and I will leave first."
Knowing Thomas Fisher was waiting for a designated driver, Isla Lane left with Alexander Shaw.
"Thomas! Where are you going? Why not take my car and let your Aunt Sophia give you a ride." Christopher Turner spoke as he reached out to pull Thomas Fisher into his own car.
"Uncle Christopher! You and Aunt Sophia go back without worrying about me; I’ve already called for a designated driver." Thomas Fisher felt very warm-hearted by Christopher Turner’s concern, but he couldn’t get in their car as he still wanted to go look for Alice Turner who had driven off earlier.
She was so agitated just now; he was quite worried, but he couldn’t say this directly to them.
Being scolded or slapped didn’t matter; the key was it would affect the impression he left in their hearts, which was something he most wanted to avoid.