Chapter 575


    Ryder kept it short and simple, only introducing Agnes by name. But everyone was curious about


    the rtionship between him and the girl living in his room. They had no idea how far along these two


    hade.


    Agnes politely greeted Cilian, “Mr. Thomas, I’ve always admired you.”


    Cilian replied, “Please sit, we can chat over dinner.”


    Once Agnes took her seat, she noticed Jared across from her, looking a bit under the weather. He


    hadn’t nced her way since she walked in.


    A littleter, Beatrice strolled into the dining room, heading straight for Jared, “Mr. Whitfield, you’re


    back.”


    Kevin joked from the side, “Beatrice, I remember you usually call him brother–inw, why the switch to


    Mr. Whitfield now?”


    Beatrice used to call him brother–inw because Jared didn’t mind. She knew Jared enjoyed it. But


    now, with Agnes around, the address had to change. And none of the Thomas family even knew who


    Agnes was.


    Little did they know, Beatrice had been calling him brother–inw way before Jared had met Valeria.


    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    Now, she can’t do that anymore in front of Agnes. Beatrice shot Kevin a look and didn’t say anything,


    just sat down next to Jared.


    Agnes watched all this, finding it rather ironic. Jared seemed perfectly at ease, with Valeria on his left


    and Beatrice on his right.


    Cilian turned to chat with Agnes, “Valeria just told me, you and Ryder have known each other for three


    years in Manhattan?”


    Agnes replied, “We’ve known each other much longer than that.”


    In fact, many people present, including Valeria, knew about her past. Would their attitude towards her


    change if Cilian knew she was Jared’s ex–wife, or Ryder’s aunt?


    However, throughout dinner, Cilian didn’t overly focus on her rtionship with Ryder. He just asked


    about her work and life as usual, as if she were just an ordinary guest of the Thomas family.


    But everyone knew that in Cilian’s mind, Agnes was already Ryder’s girlfriend. He just didn’t want to


    make a big deal out of their rtionship to avoid putting pressure on them.


    Throughout dinner, Jared didn’t say a word, just kept drinking.


    Valeria couldn’t bear it, advising him, “Your stomach hasn’t recovered yet. You bettery off the


    booze.”


    Raleign joked, “Valeria, you’re already nagging about Jared’s drinking before you’re even married. I’ve


    had quite a bit myself, howe you’re not worried about me?”


    Valeria retorted, “Don’t make fun of me. You’ve built up your alcohol tolerance on the social circuit, I


    don’t need to worry about you. You have plenty of friends, they can take care of you.”


    Raleign said, “Look at Valeria, so sharp–tongued. I was going to respect Mr. Whitfield, but I’m a bit


    scared now.”


    Kevin chimed in leisurely, “Jared’s her fiancé, you as a cousin can’tpare, don’t embarrass yourself


    here.”


    Cilian, hearing their banter, casually asked, “By the way, you two have also been together for so many


    years. Since you’ve already announced your engagement, when do you n to hold the ceremony?”


    All eyes were on Jared and Valeria.