Tabitha's POV
I noticed a hint of embarrassment on Ambrose's face.
That made sense. It had been so long since they had seen each other, and Andrea, who used to follow Ambrose around every day, actually dared to show him a cold shoulder.
Ambrose didn't leave but instead sat down. "No need. We are acquaintances."
The waiter looked at us with an embarrassed expression, not knowing what to do.
Andrea gracefully placed the knife on the table and pulled out a napkin to dab her lips. Ignoring him, she turned to me with a soft gaze and suggested, "Let's dine somewhere else."
"Sure," I replied. I had been waiting for ages for my meal, and I was starving, but I didn't want to eat with those two around.
I nodded at them and bid them a simple farewell. "Goodbye."
Ambrose's expression had visibly soured, and I left with my arm linked through Andrea's.
"Stop right there!" Ambrose, probably feeling aggrieved by Andrea, vented all his anger on me. "You are Derek's wife, which makes you my daughter-in-law. Is this how you show respect to your elders?"
Andrea was still keeping her cool, but when I got dragged into this mess out of nowhere, she was about to blow her top. But then another voice cut in, saying, "Daughter-in-law? Mr. Greenwood, did you forget something?"
Derek walked toward me from a distance and effortlessly pulled me into his arms, looking protective.
Like father like son. Both of them had the same protective moves when it came to their wives.
Ambrose hadn't seen Derek for a long time, and he was stunned.
I saw them standing together and it reminded me of the story Derek told me.
The three-year-old Derek went to find Ambrose.
At that time, Ambrose was just infuriated by Andrea's mischief and took it out on Derek.
In the blink of an eye, the little boy who used to have his face covered in cake had grown so tall, especially his face, which looked just like his father's.
Derek resembled Ambrose more than Zander.
However, Derek was no longer the little boy who longed for his father. Every move he made exuded a sense of composure.
He spoke calmly, "As early as over twenty years ago, Mr. Greenwood personally told me that you are not my father and that you do not have a son like me. You even mentioned how Grandpa expelled you from the Black Thorn Pack. Have you forgotten about that? Since I am not your son, how could she be your daughter-in-law?"
I almost couldn't help but burst into laughter. Derek really knew how to say the harshest words with the calmest tone!
Every word stabbed into Ambrose's heart.
"Derek!"
Derek appeared much calmer compared to Ambrose's anger. "My mother has finally managed to move on from the past shadows, and our family is living happily together. Please take care of your own wife and son and stop trying to seek attention."
Pausing for a moment, Derek added, "Especially your son who's always causing trouble. If he plays tricks again, I won't let him off so easily next time."
The words didn't spare Ambrose any face at all. Ambrose's ears were burning red, whether from anger or embarrassment was hard to tell.
However, I felt that someone as heartless as him definitely had no shame.
"We're leaving now. You guys enjoy your meal."
In the end, Derek bid farewell in a very gentlemanly manner before leaving.
I didn't know if Andrea was thrilled, but I was.
As she walked out, Andrea's eyes were red.
"You brat, after how I treated you back then, don't you hold it against me? You're still defending me in front of him?"
"I blamed you before," Derek said before helping Andrea into the car. "In the past, I was too young, but now I have grown up and can protect you guys."