The Villain's Wife

156

Lisa only nodded in response. He then gestured towards the attendant so they could start serving dinner.

"We have ordered seafood and steak in advance." Lisa uttered as he served Jennie's tea. This gesture only made his grandfather's face uglier by the minute.

"I -"Demi's stuttered. "Is it possible that we have some vegetables? I don't eat red meat."

Lisa only shrugged in response. He then gestured at the attendant so she could accommodate the woman's request. After seeing this, a smile blossomed on the old man's face as he nodded at Lisa's actions. "As expected of my grandson. He is such a gentleman, isn't he?"

"Indeed," Ron added. "He is so much like you."

"So..." Lisa started speaking, interrupting Ron and Isaac's chuckles. "Are we going to pretend that we are having a happy dinner?" He rested his elbows on the table as Jennie did the same. She propped her chin in her palm as she watched Isaac's uncomfortable face.

"Lisa... can't we have dinner first? We can always discuss things after we eat." Thomas blurted when he saw Isaac's reaction.

"Are we going to have dinner without a proper apology? Or did you think... your public apology was enough?"

"Lisa... our grandfather is sick."

"Your grandfather." He corrected. His gaze lingered towards Adrian for a few minutes before he looked at the old man. "Did you think... I came here to celebrate?"

Silence descended as everyone started to get uncomfortable. They stared at the old man before shifting their gaze to Lisa's stern expression, then towards Jennie's smiling face. Who would have thought that Lisa would go straight to the point and would not even give them time for small talk?

"I... I was not expecting that you would be this direct." The old man muttered. If he wanted to earn his grandson's trust, he needed to show him that he is sincere. "I apologize." He met Lisa's eyes as he balled his hands into a fist under the table.

The old man believes that if he continues his act, he will soon convince Lisa that he is a changed man. "I owe you an apology for doing that conference. I owe you an apology for involving the media. In my defense, I am desperate. I am... sick and I would like to spend the rest of my days with you and your mother. I would like to leave this world knowing that you are happy and well taken cared of."

"I see." Lisa nodded as he watched the attendant and a couple more waiters serving the food. "Involving that media was indeed wrong." He said. "I will accept that apology."

The old man's countenance brightened at Lisa's words. However, not everyone on the table was happy to see such arrogance from Lisa. Thomas was not able to stop his frown as his son sneered. Of course, everyone seemed to ignore the two.

"Thank you." The old man said. His eyes reddened as he lowered his gaze. His assistant immediately patted his back, noticeable trying to support his old friend. Isaac let out a sigh of relief before he suddenly stood from his seat and held his wineglass. "Here's to new beginnings."

Everyone including Lisa and Jennie followed his gesture. The clinking of their champagne glasses soon followed. It echoed inside the room, completely changing the atmosphere.

Then the conversation started to become more relaxed, more casual. But, this was short-lived as the topic changes back to business.

But who can blame them? Considering that everyone inside the room was involved in the business world, this topic is expected to become a part of the conversation.

"Oh... so you decided to take a break?" Thomas asked Jennie, interest shone in his eyes. "Why?"

"Well... I want to focus on my marriage. Lisa and I have been through a lot and we decided that it is best for me to stop working for a few months."