Chapter 193
When Eileen was brought out to meet the folks, she got the shock of her life seeing Albert Reed,
Egbert’s dad. She didn’t see that coming in a million years.
She was so taken aback that she immediately gave Albert a deep bow. Derek, her dad, was about to
say something, but seeing his daughter being so courteous, he quickly stepped in, “No need for that,
just talk.”
Eileen was helped up by an old man, whom she recognized from the last time at the Survival military
camp. She saw him with a man dressed in elite gear, both of whom happened to be in Egbert’s tent.
Eileen didn’t have a good vibe about these two. They were ogling her all day and it made her skin
crawl.
She turned to Albert with a smile plastered on her face and said in her sweetest voice, “Hello, Mr.
Reed!”
Only then did Derek realize his daughter wasn’t bowing to him. His face fell as he turned to his long-
time friend.
On the other hand, Albert was thrilled to bits. His face broke into a doting smile as he waved Eileen
over, “Come here, Eileen.”
Eileen sprinted over to him, leaving Derek with a sour expression. He threw a look to his eldest son,
signaling him to do something.
Blake was at a loss. He’d noticed that Eileen gave him and his dad a dirty look when she first saw
them.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt
Chad, trying to divert attention, piped up, “Ms. Lopez, long time no see.”
Eileen gave Chad a polite nod before turning her attention back to Mr. Reed..
Chad felt like banging his head against a wall. Albert was downright smug.
He introduced Eileen to his wife, “Eileen, meet my wife, Josephine.”
Eileen greeted Josephine, Egbert’s mother, with a respectful bow, “Hello, Mrs. Reed.”
Josephine greeted Eileen warmly and admired her, “So, you’re Eileen. My husband talks about you all
the time. You’re such a darling.”
Eileen blushed, biting her lip shyly, “Thanks…”
Egbert was speechless. The Lopez family members felt helpless.
Derek had had enough. He had to take matters into his own hands.
“Josephine!” Suddenly, a familiar female voice came from the other side.
It was his wife. Derek hadn’t told her about their daughter yet due to her health conditions. He didn’t
want his wife to meet their daughter just yet. He reached out to hold her hand, hoping to take her aside.
But she brushed past him, bumping his shoulder without even a glance. Derek was nonplussed.
Rosalind, Derek’s wife, went straight to Josephine. Even though she called out Josephine’s name, her
eyes were fixed on Eileen.
Eileen had met Rosalind before and gave her a slight nod.
“You’re here. I thought you’d left already.” Rosalind said with a smile.
“Are you looking for me?” Eileen asked in surprise.
“Yes.” Rosalind reached out to hold Eileen’s hand, only to find Josephine holding it. So, she yanked
Eileen’s hand from Josephine’s grip, much to her surprise.
“I enjoy your company. Let’s have a chat. I heard you like cake. There are some new cakes over there,
including gold foil cakes. Would you like some?” Rosalind asked, remembering that her daughter liked
expensive things.
Eileen’s eyes lit up at the mention of gold foil cake, “I love that!”
“Well, let’s go get some.” Rosalind took Eileen away, with Josephine tagging along..
The only ones left behind were Derek and Chad who barely had a word in, and Blake who didn’t get a
chance to utter a word.
The rest of the Lopez family emerged from the crowd, asking, “What just happened?” “Why did Auntie
Eileen leave?” “Why is grandma with Eileen? Doesn’t she know Eileen is our aunt?”
Isabel pouted, “I wanted to go with Eileen too…”
Derek’s face was stormy. Chad glanced around and sure enough, he spotted his sneaky wife in a
corner. He bellowed, “Flossie!”
Flossie didn’t even think twice, she just wanted to bolt.
Sonia had the same idea.
Blake shouted, “Sonia Mayfield Lopez!”
Hearing her husband call her full name, Sonia knew she couldn’t dodge this.
She reached out and grabbed Flossie.
Flossie tried to wriggle free from Sonia’s grip, shouting, “Let go of me!”
But Sonia didn’t let go, she gritted her teeth and said, “You’re facing this mess with me!”
With that, she dragged Flossie away, making her stand in front while she hid behind her.
Flossie was speechless.
Chad frowned and asked, “What on earth happened?”
Flossie looked at her husband, then around at the dozen or so people, including Derek.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmShe realized she couldn’t hide anymore and had to fess up, “Your mom found out…”
At her words, the room erupted with chatter.
Derek fell silent, knitted his brows, and after a moment, nodded, “I was actually planning on
Flossie quickly added, “Yeah, she’s fine. She took a pill and felt better right away!”
Derek looked surprised, “She took medicine?”
her myself. Her health has been improving lately.”
Flossie answered, “It was a normal dose. Mr. Carl said she could take it if she was feeling unwell, and
she’d be okay!”
Derek finally relaxed.
Blake then asked, “What did my mom mean just now? Why did she take Eileen away?”
Sonia stayed silent.
Flossie didn’t speak either,
Chad moved closer to Flossie, “Flossie?”
With a troubled look, Flossie finally said, “Your mom said if you guys were going to keep her in the
dark, then no one should have any contact with her, and no one will get off easy! Her daughter is hers
and hers alone, no one else can touch her!”
Derek’s eyes narrowed, “Do I count as ‘no one else’?”
Flossie averted her eyes, guiltily saying, “She said anyone other than her is ‘no one else’. She also said
you’re the ringleader, keeping things from her. For the next two months, you and your sons can go live
somewhere else, she doesn’t want to see you…”
Derek was helpless.
As soon as Flossie finished speaking, all eyes in the room turned to Derek.
At that moment, Albert stepped forward, clapped his old friend on the shoulder, and sympathetically
said, “Man, you’re really outta luck. You’ve lost your daughter, and your wife won’t talk to you, seems
like you’re up the creek without a paddle, huh?”