Chapter 17
After Whitney asked that question, she could feel everyone staring at her again.
Julius narrowed his eyes and stared back at everyone in the living room.
They were so frightened by Julius‘ stare that none of them even dared to raise their heads, much less look at the bangle on Whimney’s wrist,
Whitney realized that this bangle was probably a lot more significant than she had initially thought, and that it might not have been appropriate for her to ask Julius out lourd, in public.
She tugged at Julius‘ jacket, unsure of what to do.
“Are you bored? If this place makes you feel uncomfortable, I’ll take you home now. Julius immediately kept up that imposing aura he exuded when he glared at the crowd and spoke quietly and gently to Whitney.
Whitney did feel a little uneasy, but once his gentle voice whispered into her ear, she felt at peace.
“It’s okay, I’m alright.”
“Sure? If you don’t want to stay here, we can always go home. You don’t have to exert yourself.”
“I’ll be fine.”
Just then, Bernard walked over. “Alright everyone, lunch is ready! Let’s head over to the dining area.”
Jacqueline came forward to lead Whitney to the dining table while she scanned the stiffened expressions of the people. whom Julius had glared at earlier and took in their various expressions.
But she didn’t say anything about that Instead, she turned to them and said, “I suppose everyone has seen Whitney by now, but I’d like to introduce her formally to everyone. Whitney is my daughter–in–law and Julius‘ lawfully wedded wife. Since we were going to have one of our usual gatherings today, I thought I’d ask Julius to bring her along so that everyone can get to know her. We’re all one family from now on
In other words, Whitney had been acknowledged as the daughter–in–law of Bernard and Jacqueline, and recognized as the wife of the head of the Latreille’s. That meant that everyone had to accord Whitney due respect.
All of Julius‘ extended family relied on him and his family when it came to the family business after all.
“Alright, alright, let’s not just stand around. It’s time to eat!” announced Bernard once his wife had finished speaking.
Once Bernard said that, a young lady walked over to Jacqueline and sat down in the seat next to hers.
Whitney’s seat was now taken and Whitney wasn’t sure if she should move aside or if the young lady in her seat should move. The table had only four seats.
Everyone else just watched silently and waited to see what would happen.
Julius immediately marched over to stand next to Whitney, put an arm around her slim waist and glared very unhappily at the young lady.
Jacqueline also gave the young lady a disapproving look.
“Cynthia, you’re in the wrong seat, Bernard hinted from beside his wife.
“Am I? But I want to sit next to Julius.” Cynthia looked like she had no idea what she had done wrong.
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Chapter 17
Whitney looked carefully at this young lady and remembered who she was. Cynthia Latreille was the daughter of one of Bernard’s best friends and had been brought up by Jacqueline, so she even took the surmaine Latreille as well.
In her previous life, Cynthia had appeared when she had been forbidden to leave the house. Julius saw that Whitney was speaking much less, so he called Cynthia over to chat with her.
All she thought about all day was how she could get out of this marriage, so Cynthia suggested that she slit her wrists to commit suicide.
When she thought about it now, she realized that Cynthia had suggested that not because it was a good way to get Julius to divorce her, but it was a good way to get rid of her.
“Cynthia, the seat next to Julius is reserved for Whitney. You do get to sit next to him today,” Jacqueline sounded a little
Cross.
“Ohhh but Whitney, I really want to sit next to Julius. Won’t you let me sit next to him today? Plecease?”
Jacqueline had already made it clear that Whitney was Julius‘ wife, so she ought to sit at the same table as her husband. Cynthia was blatantly disregarding all of this.
Before Whitney could say anything, Julius sneered and narrowed his eyes as he glared sternly at Cynthia. And you think you’re worthy to sit next to me?”
Cynthia’s face crumpled immediately. “Mommy…
She was hoping that Jacqueline would side with her since Julius was hardly home and Jacqueline always doted on her so dearly.
But when she turned to look at Jacqueline, she was met with Jacqueline’s stern expression. “Cynthia Whitney is your sister- in–law now, so you should show her some respect. Also, Julius is married, so you shouldn’t cling to him anymore.”
Cynthia put on her most pitiful expression and said, “Okay Morumy, I get it.” She looked so depressed as she went to sit at another table instead.
Everyone else now understood Jacqueline’s attitude towards Whitney.
If Jacqueline merely saw Whitney as her daughter–in–law, then, she would just probably be full of admiration for Whitney because she was so pretty.
But now, Jacqueline had actually scolded the foster daughter she doted on all these years because of Whitney. That proved that Jacqueline respected Whitney too.
They applauded Julius in their hearts for finding such an extraordinary woman.
Whitney had spent a short time in the house but she had already successfully captured Jacqueline’s heart.
“Let’s eat, let’s eat,” said Jacqueline as she got Whitney to sit next to her, while Julius sat down next to Whitney.
Everybody picked up their cutlery and began eating, but they couldn’t help noticing that Julius rose from his chair and rolled up his sleeves to ladle out a bowl of soup.
They watched as he then placed that bowl of soup in front of Whitney and spoke in the gentlest voice they had ever heard from him, “Drink this bowl of soup first.”
On a normal day, Whitney would have been the only person eating with Julius. But today, his parents as well as other relatives were around.
Julius‘ nervousness around Whitney made it obvious that he really liked this young wife of his, but nobody expected him to
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Chapter 17
like her to this degree.
After all, Julius was a big shot in both the corporate world and political circles. Yet, he was so careful and sweet to this lady.
On the contrary, Whitney was so used to how Julius always seemed so domineering and imposing on the outside but genuinely cared for her. So, she took the bowl of soup from him without looking the least bit surprised and began sipping in slowly.
From the moment Whitney stepped out of the car until now, the family had learned so many new things about her.
Whitney didn’t think much of it, but she could sense someone staring daggers at her from behind.
It didn’t take a genius to know who it was.
Whitney knew that Cynthia liked Julius and until Whitney came along, Cynthia had been very proud of the fact that she was the only woman around Julius‘ age who was somewhat close to him.
So, even though Julius usually ignored her, she continued to be snug and thought very highly of herself.
Whitney had no plans to do anything to Cynthia since she hadn’t done anything terrible to her.
But just when everyone went back to eating, Cynthia asked very innocently, “Whitney, what do you work as
