Chapter 228
Cecilia Roscente placed a piece of fish into Anna Ross's bowl.
She asked softly, "Anna, what do your parents do for a living? Are they also in New York now?"
The moment the words left her mouth.
The previously relaxed atmosphere at the dinner table instantly froze.
Anna Ross's fingers tightened slightly around her fork and knife.
She didn't know how to answer for a moment.
This identity remained her most painful and unspeakable secret.
Adrian Sinclair, sitting across from her, looked up.
His voice was calm as he interjected, "Aunt Cecilia, she's the daughter of Uncle Howard's remarried wife, the one I mentioned before."
"So... she's also your cousin?" Cecilia's expression changed abruptly.
Surprise and pity intertwined in her eyes.
She couldn't help but glance at Anna a few more times.
Such a beautiful and well-behaved girl.
It would have been so wonderful if she could be with Adrian.
Unfortunately, that seemed absolutely impossible now.
Anna lowered her head and silently ate her food.
But her utensils could no longer pick up any food.
Every bite felt difficult to swallow.
Cecilia was silent for a moment.
She then turned to Adrian. "I heard Grandpa arranged a marriage for you? Which family is the girl from?"
Although the question was directed at Adrian.
Her gaze still lingered on Anna.
Filled with an indescribable sense of regret.
Anna felt extremely uncomfortable.
She wished she could immediately escape this suffocating dinner table.
"I currently have no plans to marry." Adrian didn't even look up.
His tone was indifferent.
Anna looked up in surprise.
But she only saw his cold, hard profile.
He actually didn't mention Chloe Valentine at all.
If he wasn't willing to acknowledge her even in front of his aunt.
Perhaps he truly didn't want to get married.
This realization inexplicably eased her heart.
A faint sense of joy bubbled up.
Seeing that he didn't want to discuss it further, Cecilia stopped pressing.
The dinner table fell into silence again.
Sophia Roscente seized the moment to break the silence. "Mom, the food you made today is especially delicious!"
"If you like it, eat more." Cecilia smiled and served her more food.
The atmosphere finally eased a little.
After the meal.
Sophia leaned close to Anna and whispered, "Sis, I want to stay with Mom tonight."
Anna nodded gently. "Spend some quality time with your aunt."
She wished she could accompany her own mother like that.
Cecilia saw them to the door.
She carefully reminded them, "Be careful on the road."
She then smiled at Anna. "Anna, come visit again soon."
Anna obediently agreed.
She followed Adrian out the door, one after the other.
The air inside the car was stiflingly quiet.
She secretly glanced at him.
Hesitating to speak.
Her phone suddenly rang.
She saw the caller ID.
And answered softly, "Julian."