The Mafia Lord's Secret Lover - Chapter 229

Chapter 229: Other Great-Grandparents?
The next day.

Late in the afternoon, Evelyn was in the back kitchen checking on the dinner preparations.

The aroma of simmering broth filled the room, and pots clattered softly as Danny, their private chef, worked on the side dishes.

Evelyn leaned over the counter, tasting a sauce and nodding approvingly.

Jimmy entered quietly but with purpose.

“Ma’am,” he said, standing a few steps in front of her. “Your family has just arrived. Their car crossed the gate and will be here any minute.”

Evelyn’s eyes lit up as if someone had switched on her entire mood. She had been eager for this moment, especially since it was the first time her grandparents would meet Oliver.

“Thank you, Jimmy.” She quickly turned to Danny and whispered a few instructions about plating later, then hurried out of the kitchen with excitement practically radiating from her steps.

She reached the living room just in time to see Oliver tiptoeing down the last few steps of the staircase, muttering something to himself.

“Sweetheart, I thought you and Daddy were upstairs?” Evelyn said with a smile as she approached him.

Oliver puffed his cheeks.

“Daddy said he needs to make an important call. And he said I should find you because you might get lost.”

Evelyn couldn’t help but laugh as her son’s comedic talent continued to improve. “How can I get lost if I live here, sweetheart?”

“I know, right? But that’s what Daddy said… I guess he only wanted to make me laugh,” Oliver said, smiling.

Evelyn held back a laugh. “Well, come with me. Do you want to welcome your great-grandparents with me?”

“Great-grandma Eleanor and Great-grandpa Alexander?”

Evelyn chuckled softly.

“No, those are Daddy’s grandparents. These are my grandparents. Your other great-grandparents.”

Oliver froze as if someone had just paused him. “Whoa! I have more?”

“Yes, of course. And you will meet them today.”

Oliver’s eyes beamed excitedly, “Mommy. Why do I have so many grandparents? Do they grow like plants?”

“What? No. They are part of the family. From way, way in the past.”

He nodded thoughtfully. “So like… bonus levels?”

“Hmmm…Yes. Something like that. But this bonus is given. You can’t choose.”

That explanation seemed to satisfy him because he grabbed her hand immediately.

“Let’s go. I want to see the bonus grandparents.”

They hurried to the front door. Oliver power-walked with purpose, swinging his little arms like he was marching.

Soon, a black SUV rolled through the driveway and parked neatly in front. Stella hopped out of the driver’s seat the moment it stopped.

“Finally,” Stella said. “I have been trapped in a car with three very chatty people for one entire hour. Someone give me an award.”

Alicia stepped out next, sighing. “You volunteered to drive.”

“And I regret it,” Stella declared. “Grandma talked about knitting patterns, Grandpa lectured me about road safety, and Mom gave me life advice I did not ask for.”

Alicia gave an offended gasp while Lucy poked her head out the window and called, “Stella, dear, you ignored all of Grandpa’s road safety tips.”

Samuel added gruffly, “She nearly ran over a squirrel.”

“It was suicidal,” Stella defended herself.

Evelyn burst into laughter, then hurried to help her grandparents out of the car.

She took Samuel’s arm gently, steadying him as he stepped out.

Lucy followed, leaning on Alicia for support.

“There she is,” Samuel said proudly. “Our lovely granddaughter.”

Lucy cupped Evelyn’s cheeks. “You look even more beautiful than the last time.”

“I am so happy you are all here,” Evelyn said warmly.

But then Lucy spotted the small figure half-hiding behind Evelyn’s legs. Oliver peeked around with wide, curious eyes.

Lucy gasped. “Samuel. Look at him. Look at that handsome little boy.”

Oliver stiffened. “Mommy. The new bonus grandparents see me.”

Evelyn gently pushed him forward. “Sweetheart, this is Great-grandma Lucy and Great-grandpa Samuel.”

Oliver bowed. Literally bowed. It was an awkward little dip that made everyone laugh.

Lucy lowered herself slowly, placing a hand over her heart. “Hello, Oliver. I am delighted to meet you. May I have a hug?”

Oliver studied her as if trying to decide whether she qualified to be on his hug-worthy list.

Then he whispered to Evelyn, “Mommy, she looks soft and fluffy. I think she gives warm hugs.”

Lucy laughed with delight. “I do. I promise.”

Oliver stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her. Lucy hugged him tightly, tears forming instantly.

“Oh, sweetheart, you are so handsome. Look at your eyes. Look at your nose. Look at this hair.”

Oliver patted her head. “Your hair is fluffy.”

Lucy squealed, delighted.

Samuel leaned forward, his broad smile widening. “Oliver, are you a good boy?”

Oliver nodded seriously. “Y-Yes…”

Samuel laughed heartily. “Wonderful. And did you know you are so handsome and smart?”

Now, Oliver pinched his eyes and looked like he was thinking about how to respond to it for a second before calmly nodding once more. “Yes…”

They all chuckled as Evelyn guided them inside.

…

Inside the living room, everyone settled comfortably.

Lucy sat beside Oliver, who had decided she was his new favorite person. He showed her his dinosaur, which she pretended to examine as if it were a priceless artifact.

“Oh wow! This dinosaur looks very strong and scary,” Lucy said with admiration.

“He is. And he can beat Mommy’s cooking.” Oliver nods thoughtfully.

Evelyn can’t help but laugh. “Excuse me?”

Oliver whispered loudly, as he glanced at his mother, “It was a joke, Mommy. Aunty Stella told me jokes are important.”

From across the room, Stella shouted, “Uhm…I don’t remember I said that!”

Alicia nudged her. “Oh, you absolutely said that.”

“Well, alright, I likely have,” Stella admitted. “But he is a four-year-old genius boy. He listens and remembers too well for his age.”

Evelyn brushed it off with a smile and sat beside her grandfather. Samuel adjusted his glasses and asked, “Where is your husband, dear?”

“In his study. Something urgent with work. He will join us later.”

Samuel nodded, satisfied. “He must be a very busy man.”

Before Evelyn could answer, Stella leaned over. She whispered, “Grandpa, my brother-in-law is so scary in a handsome way. When he looks at you, you feel like confessing things you never even did.”

Alicia glared at her daughter, “Stella, behave.”

“What? I am helping them prepare. Honesty is important.” Stella shrugs before ignoring her mother.

Everyone laughed.

The mood remained light as they continued chatting.

They discussed Stella’s job at the hospital and how she had failed at baking the previous week.

“But, heck yeah, it was a cake,” Stella said.

“It was a brick,” Alicia corrected.

Stella rolls her eyes, “It was experimental.”

“It was a weapon,” Alicia insisted while Oliver giggled.

Dinner was still two hours away, so they took the time to enjoy each other’s company.

But the cozy moment was interrupted when Jimmy entered the living room again. And approached Evelyn, “Ma’am,” He said courteously. “The Knight family has arrived.”

Samuel and Lucy exchanged a look filled with surprise and a bit of anxiety.

Evelyn stood. “Oliver, come with me to welcome them.”

“Is Great-grandma Eleanor coming now?”

“Yes. And Great-grandpa Alexander.” Evelyn took his hand and guided him toward the entrance, leaving the Walters in the living room.

The moment they were out of sight, Stella stretched dramatically across the sofa.

“Okay. Grandpa, Grandma, please don’t panic. The Knight family isn’t frightening… well, not in a way that’s dangerous or malicious. More like in a way that’s compelling and quite intimidating.”

Lucy swallowed. “No, I am not panicking.”

“I can see your hand is squeezing Grandpa’s arm hard,” Stella pointed out.

Lucy looked down and quickly loosened her hold.