Chapter 573 - 569: A Deeper Understanding of Each Other

Cecilia Sterling met Emeric Grant’s gaze. His eyes were deep and profound, and when paired with a face like his, the attraction was twice as potent.

At that moment, Cecilia detected an extra hint of warmth in his eyes.

The corners of her lips tugged into a sudden smile. "You’re really getting into character. That look just now almost made me think you’ve actually fallen for me!"

Emeric Grant blinked and answered honestly, "I just suddenly realized what a unique person you are, and it made me want to get to know you better."

He said it just like that, with startling directness.

Cecilia was taken aback for a moment. "Unique?"

Emeric Grant nodded without hesitation. "Yes. I never imagined you’d be this kind of person. You have so much personality and charm. It’s not just about your looks—it’s something that makes you, as a person, even more beautiful."

It sounded a little convoluted at first, but if you listened closely to the meaning, you’d realize just how accurately Emeric was expressing himself.

"I didn’t expect you to be so good with compliments. I thought you weren’t very good at talking to women."

"It’s because the impression you give me is so clear and strong that I’m able to reflect it back so precisely."

His tone was serious from start to finish. You wouldn’t think he was just a smooth-talker; instead, his overall demeanor made you feel that he was genuinely observing you and discovering something deeper.

A smile bloomed in Cecilia’s eyes. "Well, in that case, it seems we’ve both gained a deeper understanding of each other."

"Yes." Emeric Grant’s eyes crinkled in a smile as he nodded, then gestured with his chin toward the end of the alley. "My dad’s car is here."

Cecilia turned to look. The people in the car seemed to have spotted them too, as its leisurely pace down the alley picked up noticeably.

The car came to a stop, and the two of them walked forward a few steps to meet it.

An elderly man got out of the back seat first. With just one glance, Cecilia was sure this was Emeric’s grandfather, because he looked so much like the great-grandfather.

Emeric’s grandfather was an oncologist. After retiring two years ago, he had been rehired by the medical university as a professor.

"Grandpa."

The grandfather’s eyes lit up as he looked at Cecilia. "Emeric, is this your girlfriend?"

"Hello, Grandpa. My name is Cecilia Sterling," Cecilia said, introducing herself.

Their fingers had been intertwined the whole time, making their relationship perfectly clear.

Just then, a few more people got out of the car: a man and a woman, easily identifiable as Emeric’s father and his current wife, followed by a young man in his early twenties, who must be Emeric’s half-brother.

Emeric hadn’t said much to her about his stepmother and half-brother. His father was the vice president of a high-end private hospital.

The father and son had a decent relationship, mainly due to Emeric’s personality; he never dwelled on other gains or losses, which allowed their somewhat complicated family to maintain a relative sense of peace and balance.

"Dad, Mrs. White."

"It’s a pleasure to meet you."

Mr. Grant was dressed in a suit and had a refined, gentlemanly air. For the past two years, he had been the most anxious to set his son up on dates, but Emeric always claimed he already had a girlfriend. Now that he had finally met her, he was naturally delighted.

"Hello," Mr. Grant said with a smile, then turned to Emeric. "Have you taken your girlfriend to see Great-Grandpa yet?"

"We have."

Hearing this, Emeric’s grandpa chuckled. "The old man must have been thrilled, right? Of all the great-grandchildren, you’re the one he most wanted to see bring a girl home."

"Yes, Great-Grandpa really likes Cecilia. He even gave her a red envelope for their first meeting."

It was only then that Mr. Grant realized what he should do, and he quickly looked toward his wife.

Seeing his look, Mrs. White pulled a red envelope from her purse and said with a smile, "Your father knew you were bringing your girlfriend home today, so he made sure to prepare this in advance."

As she spoke, she held the red envelope out to Cecilia. "Here, dear. A little gift from his father and me. Please, don’t be shy."

Cecilia did feel quite awkward, even though it wasn’t like she needed the money.

But she had already accepted a red envelope from Great-Grandpa, so it would be difficult to refuse one from Emeric’s father now. She had no choice but to accept it.

"Thank you both so much."

Mrs. White’s expression was gentle. "You’re so beautiful. Where are you from?"

"I’m from Veridia. I came to Lorcain for university at Lorcain Sci-Tech, and my family moved here later on," Cecilia answered truthfully.

Mrs. White nodded in understanding. "Ah, the southern coastal metropolis. No wonder you’re so beautiful and radiant."

"You’re too kind."

"Let’s not get caught up in questions. It’s almost time, let’s hurry inside and wish the old man a happy birthday," Emeric’s grandpa said, starting up the steps toward the entrance.

As Mr. Grant walked ahead, he advised Emeric, "Now that you’ve brought her here, make sure you treat her well. The young lady looks quite young. She must still be in college, right?"

"You have a stubborn personality, so be patient with her. Girls need to be pampered, you know?"

"Bring her over for dinner another day, just the two of you. Let your aunt cook."

Hearing this, Mrs. White also nodded with a smile. "Yes, bring her over, and we’ll host you properly."

Emeric kept nodding. Cecilia walked alongside, listening, but she felt a cold glare aimed at them from behind.

She glanced to the side and met the young man’s eyes.

They were ice-cold, devoid of any emotion.

Keith Grant seemed surprised that Cecilia had suddenly looked over, and he subconsciously lowered his gaze.

Cecilia didn’t think much of it and followed Emeric back to their seats at the table.

When they returned, the table was already full of people from the younger generation, all Emeric’s peers.

Emeric was the eldest grandson of the main family branch, the "big brother" of his generation. Now that their big brother had brought home a girlfriend, all the younger siblings and cousins were naturally curious. Their expressions upon first seeing Cecilia were identical to Mindy Grant’s.

A mixture of stunned admiration and pleasant surprise.

But it seemed the younger siblings and cousins didn’t dare act too gossipy in front of Emeric. Only his sister, Mindy, was her usual active self.

"Isn’t she gorgeous?"

"See? I wasn’t lying, was I?"

"Isn’t she even prettier than a celebrity?"

Mindy was more excited than anyone, acting like Cecilia’s official spokesperson. She looked like she wanted to force everyone to acknowledge how angelic her brother’s girlfriend was.

At this table, only Cecilia Langley’s expression was sour.

But this clearly wasn’t the worst of it. When Keith Grant came over to the table after wishing the great-grandfather a happy birthday and sat down in the empty seat next to Cecilia Langley, the look on her face became visibly worse.

And Keith’s first words after sitting down were identical to the first words Cecilia Langley had said to Emeric when she had first sat down.

"Cecilia, long time no see."

Cecilia Langley’s expression was odd, but given the occasion, she still responded—though only with a soft "mhm" through her nose.

The atmosphere instantly grew bizarre, the undercurrents even more turbulent than during the silent clash between Cecilia Sterling and Cecilia Langley just moments before.

It was only then that Cecilia Sterling belatedly recalled something. ’Ever since Emeric’s half-brother showed up, he hasn’t called Emeric ’Brother’ even once.’