At the dining table, Tiffany found a good spot and sat down closely with Dominic.
She seemed to have lost her memory, constantly picking dishes for Dominic.
Soon, the empty plate in front of Dominic was filled.
However, Dominic didn't touch any of the dishes in the plate at all, and Tiffany didn't feel any awkwardness even though he didn't touch them.
After serving Dominic, she also didn't forget to take care of Brenda and even Bianca.
She acted like a hostess, taking care of everything.
Even though she despised Alessia from the bottom of her heart, she still managed to persuade her to eat more.
Because of Tiffany's attentiveness, the atmosphere at the dinner table felt somewhat oppressive.
However, no one stopped Tiffany from showing off, not even the mischievous Christian, who simply ate his own meal obediently.
In this light, Tiffany seemed to be performing a one-woman show, completely unaware of it herself.
After setting down her spoon, Brenda got up wearily, and Tiffany immediately rose as well, supporting Brenda considerately.
"Tiffany, I want to go back now," Brenda patted her hand.
"Auntie, I'm done eating too. I came here today just to see you, so let me accompany you back!" Tiffany said considerately.
There was no trace of insincerity on her face.
"Alright." Brenda agreed to Tiffany's request, and the two of them left the main hall.
Seeing that there were no outsiders around, Tiffany hesitated for a moment before sighing and speaking up. "I never expected Bianca to get engaged before me."
"Yes, when I think back to when I just gave birth to Bianca, she was only a little over four pounds, so thin. I still remember holding her in my arms not long ago, and now she's getting married," Brenda reminisced about the time she spent with Bianca, also filled with sighs.
Tiffany looked at Brenda's calm and gentle appearance, feeling a sting in her eyes. Her gaze darkened as she spoke, the question becoming sharper. "Auntie, do you think Bianca will be happy marrying Riley Sinclair?"
Brenda stopped in her tracks, withdrew her hand from Tiffany's, her expression cold and her tone calm. "Tiffany, what do you mean by this? If you have something to say, say it directly to me."
"I'm sorry, Auntie."
Seeing Brenda's displeasure, Tiffany pretended to have accidentally offended her and immediately apologized. "I didn't mean to offend you, but Bianca is like a younger sister to me whom I've watched grow up. I can't bear to see her suffer, so I had to voice my concerns."
"If that's the case, you should have said it earlier." As it involved her daughter, Brenda's expression turned serious.
"Auntie, Riley's mental illness is a concern. He hasn't mentioned it explicitly. Who knows if he's willing to overcome it this time, or if he'll regret it in the future." Tiffany analyzed.
"And then there's Alessia's inexplicable memory loss, which is troublesome. Who knows what she's gotten herself into? Riley values this sister the most. Who can guarantee that after Bianca marries Riley, he'll really be able to protect her?"
Brenda watched as Tiffany continued to analyze, remaining silent. No one knew what she was thinking at this moment.
After about half a minute, Tiffany finished speaking, but still didn't receive Brenda's response. She began to feel uneasy. "Auntie?"
Brenda withdrew her gaze and continued walking towards her courtyard, then spoke calmly but firmly.
"Tiffany, when did you start liking Dom?"
"Huh?" Tiffany followed Brenda, taken aback by her question. Brenda's topic suddenly shifted so drastically that, while she had hoped Brenda would one day bring up Dominic herself, she was still caught off guard.
After realizing it, her heart felt ablaze. She couldn't help but speculate if the trick she had just used had taken effect; Brenda started disliking Alessia and began to think of matchmaking her with Dominic.
Tiffany pretended to hesitate before answering Brenda's question softly. "Auntie, I liked Dom since junior high. He's truly outstanding. Back then, my mom didn't allow me to date early, and I wanted to focus on my studies, so I kept my feelings for him inside. Now that I've grown up, Dom and I can date properly. Auntie, will you make it happen for me?"
Tiffany poured out her true feelings, recounting her years of secretly loving Dominic.
She thought Brenda would sympathize with her, would be moved, but instead saw Brenda halt her steps once again.
Brenda looked at the sun, now completely set on the horizon, as if unwillingly closing her eyes before finally speaking, "Tiffany, don't come to see me anymore."
Tiffany's coquettish expression froze on her face, and she stood still as if struck by lightning.
After a long pause, she smiled and asked Brenda as if seeking confirmation, "Auntie, are you joking with me? You've had a friendship with my mom for so many years, and you've watched me grow up. Even if you can't accept me, you shouldn't cut off contact with me!"
Brenda hesitated, "Tiffany, don't blame me. You and Dominic are not suitable. Dominic and Alessia are the right match. Your presence will only cause trouble for them. Dominic is my son, I can't control him, so I can only apologize to you."
Brenda wasn't foolish. When Tiffany inadvertently revealed Bianca's pregnancy to her, and then upon learning that it was Alessia's brother's child, she guessed Tiffany's intentions.
Although she was a loser in the emotional entanglement with Dominic's father, she had seen many women like Tiffany over the years.
Regardless of Tiffany's character, after all, she had watched her grow up. Brenda had considered using a gentle approach to make Tiffany withdraw.
But just now, Tiffany's behavior at the dining table, resembling that of a hostess, made her hesitate.
Tiffany could only do this because of her influence.
Now, hearing about Tiffany's secret admiration for Dominic, she knew that Tiffany had been secretly in love with Dominic since childhood, and this love had probably become an obsession long ago.
So she couldn't be so gentle anymore, leaving her with no space for illusions.
Perhaps cutting off the source would be the best way to heal the wound.
"Auntie, are you really going to do this?" Tiffany could hardly believe it, nor did she want to believe it.
"Go back, child," Brenda said firmly.
"Auntie, please, I beg you not to. I really like Dominic. If you don't like me clinging to Dom, longing for Dom, then I can refrain from bothering him and Alessia in the future. I'll just watch them be happy from the sidelines, and I'll also show filial piety to you."
Tiffany pleaded persistently. Dominic had already broken ties with her. If she lost Brenda as her backer too, she would truly be defeated.
On the contrary, the more Tiffany lowered her stance and begged, the more determined Brenda became.
"Go back, Tiffany. Give Auntie some face, and save some face for yourself. If your mom finds out about this, it won't look good after all."
Brenda mentioned their old sisterhood, indicating that her decision was unshakable.
Tiffany's eyes darkened. She knew that with a stubborn woman like Brenda, she couldn't push too hard. It seemed that she could only leave for now.
She could only figure out a way to let her mom come to Brenda later.
Tiffany pretended to be unable to accept it, wiping her tears as if hurt, and ran towards the entrance.
Brenda watched Tiffany's retreating figure and shook her head, then called the butler over.
"You go and see how Miss Olsen came here. If she didn't drive, you drive her back personally. If she did drive, follow her discreetly. Make sure she gets home safely."
"Yes, Madam," the butler replied and left.
At this time, Grandma Carter came out. There was a smile on her old face as she praised, "Brenda, I used to think you were stubborn, but now I think you're not bad. You are truly my daughter-in-law. "
"Mom, to be honest, when you were trying to pair Dominic with Alessia, I was a hundred percent dissatisfied then, and I'm still dissatisfied now. But I admit that Alessia and Dominic are a good match. Because she can make Dominic emotionally engaged, and most importantly, the three children she gave birth to are all excellent."
"Brenda, is it so hard for you to praise someone? Clearly, it's not just three children who are excellent. Alessia herself is also outstanding. A lyricist, a designer, a renowned doctor Athena, which identity isn't illustrious? Moreover, she's also Gordon Laroux's daughter."
Grandma Carter rarely went out, but she knew more about what was happening outside than anyone else.
Every time Grandma Carter mentioned one of Alessia's identities, Brenda became more interested in Alessia.
Finally, she couldn't resist and took Grandma Carter's arm.
"Mom, tell me more about Alessia's identities."
The scene of a woman in her seventies walking side by side with a woman in her fifties was beautiful and healing.
Dominic, who followed them out, also asked Alessia with interest, "Sia, tell me the truth, how many secrets do you still have that I don't know?"
"Boring." Alessia gave Dominic a disdainful look, maintaining an unresponsive attitude to his intimate actions and words.
This nearly drove Dominic crazy with itching curiosity. He was eager to confirm his relationship with Alessia.
But Alessia simply didn't cooperate.
***