Dominic glanced at Alessia, knowing that she was doing this on purpose.
However, it wasn't something he couldn't talk about. He looked into the distance, as if recalling and regretting, "It was at the beginning of sophomore year. I met her on an online forum, and we agreed to meet at the end of the semester. But she stood me up, and afterwards, she never logged into the forum again."
Everyone's first love happened quite early, but they hadn't expected Dominic to be even trendier, having an unsuccessful online-to-real-life relationship.
Alessia raised an eyebrow, feeling a bit smug.
However, she quickly realized something.
The time Dominic mentioned was when he went to Niagara Escarpment alone and encountered the landslide. Moreover, Sisca's brother died because of that incident.
Last time, she asked him why he went to Niagara Escarpment.
For some reason, her head hurt when she thought about Niagara Escarpment.
Feeling blocked in her heart, as if she had forgotten something important.
Bianca noticed that her sister-in-law's expression had turned ugly since her brother talked about his first love.
Biting her lip, she began to shift her anger.
It was all Riley's fault. Clearly, her brother and sister-in-law's relationship had been visibly repaired after the last round of dares, and they were finally getting along. Yet he came and ruined everything.
Unacceptable!
Bianca stood up in her high heels and confidently pulled Riley up. "Riley, didn't you say you wanted to go to the restroom just now? Let me help you."
Riley, with his foxy eyes, looked at Bianca.
Seeing her angry expression, like a little wildcat ready to strike at any moment, he probably thought she would brandish her sharp claws if he didn't comply immediately.
Riley stood up reluctantly, allowing Bianca to lead him away.
When they reached the corridor, Bianca immediately changed her expression, releasing Riley's arm and crossing her arms as she questioned him.
"Riley, what's the meaning of this? Are you deliberately causing trouble? Just admit it, do you have feelings for my sister-in-law?"
Riley looked at her, shaking his head calmly, "Sia is just my sister."
"Then why did you sabotage?" Bianca asked angrily, feeling a bit relieved.
"Mr. Carter and Sia are not suitable for each other. Sia has suffered a lot since childhood and needs sweetness in her life. Mr. Carter is too cold, too similar to Sia. She needs someone who can warm her up."
There was a hint of indulgence on Riley's handsome and gentle face.
Bianca was stunned for a moment, suddenly feeling like this man, who was so considerate of her sister, was shining.
However, as soon as this thought arose in her mind, she vigorously shook her head to dispel it.
What was she thinking?
He was just an old man, nothing more. Why would he be shining like a light bulb?
Bianca pursed her lips, unwillingly saying, "How do you know my brother isn't warm? He's actually very gentle. It's just that you don't understand him. If you did, you would see his good qualities."
Riley looked at Bianca without saying a word, clearly not believing her.
Bianca widened her eyes in anger, realizing that she couldn't argue with Riley anymore, and said, "Believe it or not, I don't need you to know. Just don't cause trouble."
Riley shook his head gently, "I'm afraid I can't agree to your proposal. I won't let Sia get hurt!"
Bianca took a deep breath, gritted her teeth, "Well, you don't have a say in that."
"Then let's each do our own thing," Riley said softly.
"Fine, let's each do our own thing," Bianca issued a challenge and left Riley alone.
Riley looked at his injured leg and frowned.
The game of Truth or Dare ended because Bianca took Riley away. The manager of the villa came to inform them that there would be a bonfire party held every month at ten o'clock.
Riley couldn't go because of his injured leg, and Christopher didn't want to go either, so they ended up splitting into two groups.
Alessia, Riley, and Christopher returned to the hotel room.
Bianca, Dominic, Jessie, and Dylan took the two children to see the bonfire party.
The bonfire party was grandly held on the open space outside the villa. Not only were the guests from the villa attending, but also travelers from nearby homestays and nearby residents.
Dominic's group, each with exceptionally good looks, was warmly welcomed as soon as they appeared.
Especially Christian lively and outgoing, quickly blended into the crowd, getting along with everyone. Then Bianca, Jessie, and Dylan joined in one after another.
Only Eleanor, due to health reasons, couldn't engage in vigorous activities and could only watch from the sidelines.
Dominic looked at his daughter standing alone on the side, feeling pity in his heart, and gently touched her little head.
Eleanor lifted her fair little face, held Dominic's large hand, and with a sensible tone said, "Daddy, I don't want to participate at all. As long as I can watch Chris and aunt play together, I will be very happy. Please don't feel sad for me!"
As Eleanor spoke, she pressed Dominic's large hands against her own little face.
Feeling the warmth coming from his daughter's face, Dominic's heart softened like water.
Alessia had raised her two children very well!
"Daddy, don't be sad!"
A loving smile appeared in Dominic's eyes, and suddenly he exerted force with both hands, firmly placing Eleanor on his shoulder.
He didn't care about anyone's gaze and entered the crowd with Eleanor.
A tall and handsome man, with a beautiful and cute little girl sitting on his shoulder like a princess, immediately attracted many people's attention as soon as they entered the crowd.
Without exception, everyone sighed at the father's doting on his daughter.
"This man looks like a successful person, yet he's willing to let his daughter sit on his shoulder in public without any reservation."
"Yes, my husband refuses to hold the child even outside, afraid of affecting his image."
"Yeah, a man with such ability, charm, and affection for his child is probably hard to find nowadays."
"A woman who can marry such a good man must have accumulated a lot of blessings in her previous life."
Bianca heard the comments and felt very proud. She couldn't help but take a sneaky photo and send it to Alessia, along with a message.
"[Sister-in-law, take a look. My brother is truly an amazing man. Hurry up and reconcile with my brother!]"
Alessia had just accompanied Christopher to sleep when she heard the sound of her phone notification. She opened the chatbox and saw such a photo.
The orange firelight reflected on the man's face, carefully protecting the child on his shoulder. That serious dancing posture immediately caught her eye, making her feel incredibly warm in that moment.
Alessia involuntarily bit her lip with heartfelt emotion.
After sending the message, Bianca also posted it on her story. When she turned back, she found that the dancing had already ended, and the crowd had dispersed into small groups.
Some dispersed immediately, while others sat in groups on the grass, gazing at the stars and the lights of the thousands of families below the mountain.
Bianca searched the crowd but couldn't find Christian, who had been with her. Suddenly, she felt panicked and began searching everywhere.
She asked several people in a row, but no one had seen Christian.
At this moment, Dominic was with Eleanor, Dylan, and Jessie.
When he received the call, he quickly scanned the people around, but didn't see Christian.
Dominic immediately said, "Just wait where you are, I'll come over right now."
Jessie and Dylan noticed Dominic's changed expression. When they saw him hang up the phone, Jessie asked.
"Mr. Carter, what's wrong?"
At this time, Dominic naturally wouldn't hide anything. He said, "Christian is missing, Miss Jessie, please take Elle back first, and ask the staff at the villa to help find Christian."
After that, he looked at Dylan and calmly arranged, "You come with me."
"Okay," Dylan nodded without objection.
Although he didn't like his former brother-in-law, the children's matter was more important than anything else!
***