Chapter 287
ra finished buttoning up her crisp white blouse and stepped out of the room, her eyes
immediatelynding on Ian. He sat cross-legged on the plush, oversized couch, deeply engrossed
in a game of chess with Grandpa Reed.
Ian wore a ck turtleneck sweater that hugged his physique just so, paired with impably
tailored cks. His posture was upright, and the lines of his lean thighs were impossible to ignore
under the soft fabric. The sleeves of his sweater were casually rolled up, revealing the defined
contours of his forearms.
His aura was one of refined elegance, so stark against the humble backdrop of the family room that
it was jarring.
As ra approached, Reed called out with a hearty chuckle, "ra, dear,e give me a hand
here. This young man''s chess game is no joke – he''s beaten me three times already!"
ra smiled and settled down beside Reed, her gaze shifting to Ian with a mock frown. "You could
show some mercy to your elders, you know. Ever heard of going easy?"
Ian''s lips curved in a teasing smile. "Grandpa Reed''s the chess champ around here. Pulling
punches would be an insult, right?"
The old man erupted intoughter. "This grandson-inw of mine gets me. I tell ya, I like the cut of
his jib more and more. Beats the lot at home by a country mile."
Their banter was cut short by a snide voice at the door. "Why is it you always put down your own
and puff up outsiders? Your grandson-inw is so great, but I don''t see him bringing any gifts. He
just shows up empty-handed every time."
The woman at the doorway eyed Ian with disdain, a sneer twisting her lips. She wasn''t alone; a
veritable entourage of Reed''s kin stood behind her, each looking more critical than thest.
Ian''s eyelids lifted slowly, his smile turning icy. The once warm room seemed to chill in the shadow
of his frosty demeanor, making the onlookers at the door uneasy. He nonchntly ced a ck
piece on the chessboard, his voice neutral. "Here to enjoy the show?"
Leading the pack was ra''s aunt, who dusted off her clothes with a scoff. "We heard ra
snagged herself a catch and came to see for ourselves. But all we find is a pretty boy without a
penny to his name. My son''s a thousand times the man he is."
The murmurs grew malicious as they sized up ra.
"With her background, what good family would look twice? She must be a gold-digger, hoping to
cash in on some inheritance," one whispered loudly.
"Thought she bagged a rich heir, but he''s just a pretty face," another sneered.
Ian''s grip on ra''s hand tightened, his eyes softening with concern. "They used to treat you like
this?"
She nodded, her voice steady. "It''s because of my mother and because I''m a girl. My father and I
were never favored in the family. Thesements are nothing new."
Hearing this, something dark flickered in Ian''s eyes, but he masked it with a rakish grin, ruffling her
hair. "Don''t worry, your husband''s got your back."
He pulled out his phone and dialed a number. Momentster, several men in sleek ck suits
strode into the yard, each carrying an exquisite gift box. The once modest living space was quickly
filled with an array of luxurious items.
Dawson, one of the men, began to exin. "Reed, these are all tokens of Mr. Hayes'' respect for
you. Please, enjoy at your leisure."
The room fell silent as eyes widened at the sight of goods they had only seen on television screens.
ra''s aunt was green with envy. Despite bragging about her son''s sess, she had neverid
eyes on suchvish gifts. Huffing with jealousy, she retorted, "Probably all fakes. You''re trying to fool
us country folk. My boy Joey''s seen the world. I''ll call him over right now, and we''ll see what you
have to say then."
Soon, a man in his thirties swaggered into the yard, his belly protruding over his belt, hair slicked
back, and a cigarette hanging from his lips despite the chill – looking every bit the arrogant upstart.
Before he even stepped inside, his scornful voice rang out. "Who''s trying to show off under my
nose? Let''s see if he''s still strutting when I break his legs!"Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.