淑女的欲望

A few days later.

On the weekend, Xander and Scarlett visited Riley's house. They decided to stay one night at home.

They arrive at lunchtime and are warmly welcomed by the whole family, including Carter Riley.

After a brief greeting, Scarlett was immediately pulled by Martha Bell into the living room. Somehow it's making Xander's face sour—his stepmother had kidnapped his wife again. And he didn't like it. But he also couldn't do anything because his wife told him not to say anything. He could only follow his grandfather to his study room.

As for Carter, he was forced to join his mother and Scarlett because his Grandfather and Big Brother ignored him.

Martha noticed her son sitting opposite them. She asked, "Carter, why don't you join Grandpa and your brother?"

Carter said sadly, "Mom, why are you asking again? Grandpa and Big Brother always do that. They always think of me as a kid. Damn, it!!" He said, hoping for sympathy from his mother, but instead, he got a glare that made him feel even more isolated.

Feeling betrayed by his mother, Carter asked, "Mom, why are you preferring brother over me!?"

Martha sighed and said, "Carter, it's not about playing favorites. I wish you would bring me your future wife. I'm tired of hearing about your relationships with artists and models from your company and I hear someone say you have too many women out there!"

Carter is embarrassed and frustrated by his mother's words. He wished his mother could see beyond his romantic pursuits and appreciate him for who he was. "Mom, I'm not a playboy. I just haven't found the right person yet!"

Martha turned her attention to her son and said, "Your Playboy nickname won't go away just because there's no proof. You know the media will be watching your every move, right?"

Carter felt defeated and didn't know how to respond. He wished his mother could see beyond his past and trust him to make better choices.

Martha continued, "You have to learn from your brother, Xander. He was able to bring home a beautiful and kind wife like Scarlett. You have to work hard to find a woman like her."

Scarlett couldn't help but feel sympathy for Carter. She smiled at him, saying, "Brother-in-law, you can chat here with us..." when she saw Carter was about to leave.

"Thank you, sister-in-law. Only my sister Scarlett can understand me..." Carter said, feeling happy but suddenly wanting to disappear from the room after hearing his sister-in-law's words.

Scarlett fixed her gaze on Carter as she spoke, her tone stern but tinged with a hint of humor. "Brother-in-law, Aunt Martha is right... It's time to start thinking about something more serious than just playing around with beautiful women."

Carter's expression grew sour as he listened to his mother and sister-in-law's words. He sat uncomfortably in his chair, feeling the weight of their expectations weighing down on him.

Martha is not a person who likes to mince words. She glared at Carter, her eyes narrowing as she spoke, "Son, listen to your sister-in-law... It would help to find a wife who can care for you and protect the Riley family's reputation. You must not tarnish our good family name."

Scarlett couldn't help but smile at Martha's dramatic tone. "Oh please, Aunt Martha. It's not like Carter is some womanizer with a bad taste in ladies. He just hasn't found the right person yet. Right, brother-in-law?"

Carter's frown deepened, but he didn't say anything. Scarlett gave him an apologetic look, knowing how uncomfortable he was.

Martha, however, was not finished with her talk. "Well, Son... you better find that person soon, or you will let the whole family down. And that is something I will not tolerate..."

Scarlett no longer wanted to tease Carter. She agreed with Aunt Martha and hoped Carter could find someone to live up to the Riley family's high expectations.

Just as Carter wants to disappear from the living room, tormented by his mother and sister-in-law, Xander feels the same urge. He wants to disappear when his grandfather begins to cry over his personal life.

"Xander, when will you give me the good news?" asked Walter Riley, his eyes fixed on Xander.

"What good news, Grandpa?" Xander asked firmly, but confusion was evident on his face.

"You promised me, great-grandchildren! When will that happen? It's been months since you married. Have you forgotten about it?" Walter prodded.

Xander's expression worsened. How could he know when his wife got pregnant?

"Grandpa, I promise you will be the first to know when my wife is pregnant. Be patient with me, please?!!" Xander said calmly, but his voice couldn't hide that the question somehow had mortified him. He didn't want to discuss the matter and immediately turned the conversation to something else. This time about work, about the company's cases.

However, their conversation about work has now moved toward discussing the Harris family case. And it's the only thing about company cases that Xander didn't want to discuss. But he can do nothing now but listen when his grandfather reported Old Harris' condition.

"Xander, can you soften them up? Yesterday Old Harris called me. He asked me to talk to you to give them mercy. Their company suffered heavy losses. No more business partners are willing to cooperate with them..."

Xander remains silent. His expression was flat, utterly disinterested in discussing this matter.

After waiting, Walter Riley took a deep breath — his grandson didn't say anything. He continued, "Ella already got her punishment. Her company was on the brink of bankruptcy. And now, her father punished her and sent her to live abroad..."

"Grandpa, please!" Xander cut his Grandpa and didn't want to hear about that woman again. He continued his words, "I understand. No need to tell me what to do!!" He said curtly.

The truth is, he was satisfied with what happened to the Harris family and had already instructed his people to stop their secret assault on The Harris businesses.

"It's good that you understand! Your Grandpa is too old to hear the commotion like this…" said Walter Riley.

Just as Xander is about to say something, someone knocks on the door and informs them that lunch is ready.

The Old Riley and his favorite grandson immediately left the study room and joined the others for lunch.