Chapter 570 - 566: Damn, So Beautiful

Beneath his prim and proper demeanor was an endearingly honest awkwardness. He had also just mentioned that this was the first time a woman had ever linked arms with him. An "astonishing" thought couldn’t help but pop into Cecilia Sterling’s mind.

’This Dr. Grant... he can’t still be a virgin, can he?’

Of course, she wouldn’t actually ask him that out loud. Her gaze toward Emeric Grant simply gained a more probing quality.

The car slowly pulled away. Just as they reached the main road, Emeric Grant spoke up. "Cecilia, you have a boyfriend, right?"

Cecilia glanced at him. He seemed quite comfortable calling her ’Cecilia’. After all, she had told him to, and it was what her close friends and family called her.

Emeric had asked, "You have a boyfriend, right?" The question’s phrasing implied he assumed she did.

Otherwise, he would have asked, "You don’t have a boyfriend, do you?"

"Isn’t it a little late to be asking that? I’m already in your car."

"It is a bit late. I was in a rush yesterday and forgot to ask. I think it’s quite an important thing to know."

"So, you think I have a boyfriend?" Cecilia asked in return.

Emeric Grant was quiet for a moment before answering, "I just figured you would. After all, you’re so beautiful."

Seeing that he had actually given it serious thought, Cecilia found his straight-laced manner a bit endearing. She didn’t tease him, though, and answered directly. "Well, you ’assumed’ wrong. I don’t. You could say you got lucky. I almost had one, but we didn’t get together for certain reasons."

As she spoke, Cecilia looked at him seriously. "I’m very principled about this. If I had a boyfriend right now, I would never have agreed to do something like this with you."

Hearing this, Emeric Grant felt he had misspoken. He apologized sincerely, "I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have ’assumed’."

"It’s fine. You don’t know me very well yet, after all. Your impression of me is limited to me being ’beautiful’."

She wasn’t the type to get angry over an unintentional slip of the tongue.

After about a thirty-minute drive, the car slowly came to a stop in the Ashford district, outside a traditional home known as The Courtyard.

A long line of cars was already parked outside, a clear sign that today’s event at the residence was a grand affair.

According to what Emeric Grant had told her, today was his great-grandfather’s ninetieth birthday. The old man was getting on in years, so for his birthday each year, basically every family member who could make it would come. After all, every year that passed was one less they would have with him.

This was why Emeric had said it was a family occasion he absolutely couldn’t miss.

The moment their car came to a complete stop, the car behind them honked twice. An impeccably dressed young woman then eagerly hopped out of the back seat and ran toward Emeric’s car.

Emeric just glanced in the rearview mirror and said softly, "My younger uncle’s daughter."

"Emeric!"

Mindy Grant excitedly tapped on the car window. As soon as the doors unlocked, she pulled Emeric’s door open for him and said with a thrilled expression, "You’re here! Uncle told me you were bringing a girlfriend today!"

Before she had even finished speaking, Cecilia had already opened her own door and stepped out of the car. Turning her head to look back, she smiled and greeted the girl, "Hello."

Mindy’s eyes instinctively shot to Cecilia, and in an instant, they went wide.

’Holy crap, she’s gorgeous!’

"Hello!" Mindy’s face lit up with a look of pleasant surprise and sheer awe. "Are you my cousin’s girlfriend?"

Cecilia nodded gracefully in confirmation. Just then, Emeric’s uncle and aunt finished parking and walked over. Mindy excitedly grabbed her parents. "Dad, Mom, my cousin really brought a girlfriend home! Look, she’s so beautiful!"

Emeric’s uncle and aunt had noticed Cecilia from a distance. Now, before they could even speak, they saw Emeric walk over to Cecilia’s side and naturally take her hand.

His hand was soft and slightly cool, a very pleasant sensation.

"Uncle, Aunt," Emeric greeted them softly before introducing Cecilia. "This is my girlfriend, Cecilia."

Cecilia followed his lead and greeted them as well.

His aunt was also looking at Cecilia with awe. Hearing the introduction, she smiled and said, "Finally decided to bring her home? She’s so beautiful, and you’ve been keeping her under wraps. Your great-grandfather will definitely be thrilled to see her today."

Emeric had a ready answer, replying calmly, "I had to wait until things were serious before bringing her home."

"That makes sense," his uncle said with a nod of agreement. He then turned to his daughter. "There are a lot of people here today. Make sure you spend time with your cousin’s girlfriend and keep her company. Don’t leave her feeling left out."

Mindy happily agreed. "Don’t worry, Dad! I love talking to beautiful girls."

"Let’s head inside. I see more cars pulling in over there," his aunt said.

Emeric opened the trunk to get the gift for his great-grandfather, then took Cecilia’s hand again and followed his uncle’s family into the courtyard.

Cecilia was prepared for a large gathering today, but she hadn’t expected it to be *this* large.

The spacious home was divided into front and back courtyards, both of which were filled with tables and chairs. As far as the eye could see, there was nothing but seating.

There were people everywhere—in every corner of the yard, both inside and outside the house. For the birthday of an elder in a large family like this, not only would the immediate family attend, but other relatives and friends would come as well.

Cecilia felt Emeric’s hand tighten slightly around hers, and his voice immediately followed, speaking softly by her ear, "Don’t be nervous."

Cecilia turned to look at him with a small smile. "I’m not nervous. But you, on the other hand... why is your palm so clammy?"

Emeric stared straight ahead, leading Cecilia down the steps. "It’s not," he said, his expression unreadable.

Cecilia pressed her lips together to hide a smile and let him lead her toward the back courtyard.

"Well now, Emeric!"

"A girlfriend? You brought a girlfriend to celebrate the old man’s birthday?"

"Emeric’s got a girlfriend? And she’s a pretty one! You two are a perfect match."

"..."

Along the short walk, anyone who saw Emeric came over, looking the two of them up and down while showering them with nonstop praise.

And judging from their expressions and tone, it really did seem to be the first time Emeric had ever brought a girlfriend home. Everyone was both shocked and pleasantly surprised.

Although Emeric’s expression remained calm, he was extremely patient, greeting everyone and introducing Cecilia.

Cecilia would also join in for a bit of casual small talk, and chatting with one person after another, they soon arrived at the back courtyard.

At the main table in the center, a group of elders sat together, sipping tea and chatting. The old man seated right in the middle was Emeric’s great-grandfather.

The patriarch was already ninety years old, but he had a healthy, rosy complexion. Just as they were discussing something amusing, the great-grandfather threw his head back and laughed. His laughter was deep and resonant, a sign of his robust health.

Just then, someone spotted Emeric and exclaimed in surprise, "Well, look who it is! Emeric is here!"

The great-grandfather looked over at the sound of his name, and his eyes lit up upon seeing his eldest great-grandson. A smile also appeared on Emeric’s face as he quickened his pace, leading Cecilia to the old man’s side.

"Great-Grandfather!"

The old man’s mustache twitched as he chuckled. "You’re here?"

As he spoke, his gaze fell on Emeric and Cecilia’s clasped hands, and his eyes immediately lit up with delight as he looked at Cecilia.

Cecilia looked at the patriarch and spoke politely and properly. "Great-Grandfather, I wish you a long and blessed life, and may your home always be filled with the joy of four generations under one roof."