Chapter 333 No shame

Bernard sent Stephan a message: [Delete that. When it comes to my wife’s posts, I have to be the first to like her post!]

Stephan: [For a post complimenting how well I and my girlfriend match, I have to be the first to like it.]

Bernard: [You’re shameless.]

Stephen: [You’re the one with no shame!]

The father and son were competing with each other over something so petty.

Cynthia’s comments section was full of goodwill; everyone thought Stephan and Alana were a perfect match and sent them their best wishes.

Darla happened to scroll past Cynthia’s post and saw one of the photos: Stephan leaning in close to Alana, kissing her cheek with a look that was both tender and doting, along with a flood of well-wishes in the comments.

Overwhelmed by jealousy, she felt like smashing her phone to pieces.

She had been to this SC restaurant with Cynthia many times, so when she saw the photo, she immediately recognized the place.

She had assumed Cynthia only invited her there, but it turned out she had taken Alana instead.

It felt as though a secret place that belonged exclusively to her and Cynthia had been invaded by Alana, leaving her feeling thoroughly unsettled.

And Stephan was there too, acting so close and intimate with Alana...

Cynthia even posted photos of them being affectionate on her social media, which was essentially a tacit acknowledgment of Alana’s status.

Next, would they be discussing Alana and Stephan’s engagement and marriage? The more she thought about it, the harder it became for Darla to breathe.

If Alana really was Agnes’ daughter, she had to get Agnes to stop her, she absolutely couldn’t let Alana steal the man she loved!

**************

Leaving the SC restaurant.

Cynthia didn’t let Stephan walk Alana home, mainly because she’d driven there herself, so she could just drive back on her own.

Stephan wanted to go home with Alana.

But Alana wanted to make one more stop before getting in the car.

She figured that since she was going to meet Stephan’s parents this weekend, she definitely needed to prepare some things in advance.

No daughter-in-law would show up empty-handed to meet her future in-laws, that would be rude.

Stephan hadn’t expected her to take meeting his parents so seriously.

It was clear she was taking their relationship more and more seriously.

He ruffled Alana’s hair and smiled affectionately. “Alright, whatever you say.”

Alana blinked and asked earnestly, “But what do your parents usually like? I definitely want to cater to their tastes and buy things they’ll enjoy.”

Stephan curved his lips. “I promise, whatever you give it to them, they’ll love it.”

Alana gave him a playful glare with her beautiful eyes, her voice soft and sweet, as if she were trying to be cute and charming.

“Stop fooling around. Give me some serious suggestions.”

Stephan chuckled softly. “My dad likes to play golf, go fishing, and play chess. You could get him golf balls, fishing hooks, or a chess set, anything like that would work. My mom spends most of her time at the hospital, sitting all day long. Her back, shoulders, and neck aren’t in the best shape. When she comes home at night, my dad often gives her a massage. You could get her a shoulder and neck massager.”

Alana’s eyes lit up. “That’s great, Stephan! That’s such a wonderful suggestion!”

Stephan smiled. “I’m just offering some ideas. You can buy whatever you like, as long as it comes from the heart, they’ll love it.”

Alana nodded. “Mm-hmm, I know. By the way, does your dad work? Or does he stay home?”

She knew a little about his mother, but nothing at all about his father. Asking a few questions in advance would help her prepare mentally.

“My dad is the company’s largest shareholder. His biggest interest is investing and trading stocks. Come to think of it, even though I’m the CEO of Hudson Group now, I’m still working under him.”

“So, your dad is the real big boss behind the scenes?”

“Pretty much.”

Alana glanced at Stephan. “Then your dad must be really handsome.”

If Stephan was this handsome, his father’s looks must be just as impressive.

“My dad is old now.”

“Even an old Ferrari is still a Ferrari.”

Stephen chuckled.

The two arrived at the mall.

Following Stephan’s suggestion, Alana picked out a chess set, a fishing rod, and a golf club for his father.

For his mother, she picked out a massage chair and a neck massager.

It cost quite a bit, and since Alana didn’t have much money herself, she ended up shamelessly swiping Stephan’s card.

Alana couldn’t help but say, “Stephan, I think I need to find a job and start earning my own money.”

She felt a bit embarrassed about constantly spending his money.

Stephan raised his hand and tapped his forehead lightly with his slender fingers.

“Isn’t it nice to be supported by me, having everything done for you, clothes handed to you and meals served to you?”

Alana shook her head. “Not really. I’ll end up becoming a useless little thing.”

“It’s fine. No matter what you become, I’ll still love you!”

Alana blushed and teased, “You’re such a smooth talker.”

Stephan smiled. “I mean it. It’s not like I can’t afford to support you.”

Alana pouted, refusing to give in just yet. “Even if you say that now, it doesn’t mean you’ll still feel that way later. What if I don’t work for a long time, and you think I’ve become a slacker, just lazing around at home all day like a good-for-nothing? What if you start looking down on me?”

Stephan immediately denied it. “How could I ever look down on you? It’s only natural for a man to provide for his wife! In my mind, the hard work of earning a living to support the family is a man’s job. A wife just needs to stay at home, look as beautiful as a flower, and enjoy the good life!”

Alana blinked. “Are you serious? A lot of men don’t think that way. Not only do they expect their wives to earn money to support the family, but they also expect their wives to take care of the whole family.”

Stephan chuckled, “Those ‘many men’ you’re talking about have the mindset of poor men. A man with true vision wouldn’t think that way. Men with vision are responsible and reliable. They only think about how to run a household well. They’re strong and capable, they wouldn’t be so petty as to make their women shoulder so many burdens.”

“Is that really the case?”

“Hmm, I don’t know about other men, but at least that’s how I see it. And to be honest, my girlfriend is so beautiful, a real stunner, and she struts around town every day. It makes me feel really insecure. I’d love to keep you at home, like my little canary, wearing pretty clothes every day just for me to see.”

“Stephan, that’s a bit of a twisted way of thinking!”

Stephan raised an eyebrow. “Isn’t it perfectly normal for a man to be a little perverted when it comes to his own woman?”

Alana snorted, “You can dream on. I’m not about to become your canary.”

Deep down, she was still determined to find a job on her own. Maybe having a job would help her become a little more confident, instead of turning into some useless little thing who relies on a man for everything and has no sense of self.

Stephan is already so outstanding, shouldn’t she strive to become better herself, so she’d be more worthy of him?

Stephan actually quite wanted Alana to become his canary; his inner thoughts were a bit dark and twisted.

But he wasn’t the type to force her to do something she didn’t want to do.

Rather than forcing her, he preferred to respect her wishes and let her do what she enjoyed.

“If you want a job, come work at my company. Be my personal assistant, that way, I can be all over you every single moment!”

Alana blushed, unable to bear the thought of how restless he’d be if she worked right by his side.

It would be like a little white rabbit falling into a den of wolves, she’d have to live in constant fear every single day.

She gave a noncommittal reply, “We’ll see. Let’s wait until Grandma gets better.”

Stephan chuckled, guessing she might be a little reluctant.

Oh well, whatever she wants.

If she chose to be by his side, he’d certainly be delighted.

If she didn’t come, he wouldn’t force her.

Since Stephan hadn’t eaten dinner.

After they got home, Alana went into the kitchen and cooked a bowl of tomato and beef noodle soup for him.

Stephan immediately snapped a photo and posted it to his social media feed, redeeming himself.

[Dinner my girlfriend made for me with her own two hands... steaming hot tomato beef noodle soup. It smells so good I could faint.]

Forget about being a “domestic god” he and Alana were clearly in it together!

Of course, for her, he’s more than happy to do it.

Those who used to look up to him, all those unwanted single guys, were now green with envy!

He felt proud of that.