Female Novel
Chapter 2917
Nina had the urge to turn around and ask Karen, but she held back.
The sensation in the palm of her hand kept reminding her to stay calm and not argue with Karen.
If she could not suppress her emotions and let her pride be torn apart now, there would be no need tohave this meal.
Even though Old Master Mallory did not give Nina a friendly look, he could be trying to improve hisrelationship with Percy through this meal. She could not ruin that.
Nina took a deep breath and pretended not to hear what Karen said.
Percy gave Karen a warning look.
Karen was startled for a moment. In the past few days whenever she intentionally caused trouble forNina, Percy would glare at her that way.
However, her mind was occupied with Pierre's matter. Thus, she did not pay close attention to themeaning behind Percy's looks.
This marked the first moment Karen locked eyes with Percy's caution-laden gaze. She felt a mixture offear and annoyance. What did he mean?
She was his mother!
Yet, he was warning her for the sake of another woman?
Karen was displeased. She was on the verge of exploding.
Percy walked over to the dining table, pulled out a chair for Nina, and gestured for her to sit.
Nina nodded. After she sat down, she kept her eyes on him.
Percy sat beside her. Old Master Mallory took the seat of honor.
Karen sat opposite Percy. She felt uncomfortable seeing how attentive Percy was to Nina.
It was not jealousy she felt, but rather a feeling that Nina did not match up to Percy at all. Hence, shefound it glaring when she saw them getting along well.
Karen was about to say something, but she noticed Old Master Mallory was giving her a warning lookwhen he grew aware of her actions.
Karen had no choice but to awkwardly close her mouth.
Mr. Bennet and the chef served the prepared dishes on the table, all of which were what they wouldhave daily. They did not prepare anything particularly extravagant just because Percy had brought Ninaback.
Old Master Mallory did not give any special instructions. The chef thought it would be better not to takematters into her own hands.
Still, the food the Mallory family usually ate was much more lavish than the meals of an ordinaryhousehold.
Nina, however, was not one to be easily deceived. She noticed the dishes on the table and understoodthat she was not receiving any special treatment from the Mallory family. This meant that Old MasterMallory asking Percy to bring her back for this meal did not necessarily mean he had approved of heras his granddaughter-in-law.
Nina did not have much appetite for this meal.
Even though Percy constantly offered her more food, Nina felt the food was flavorless.
After dinner, Percy noticed Old Master Mallory had not said anything yet. He said, "Grandpa, I'm goingback if there's nothing else."
"Where are you going?" Old Master Mallory finally spoke, having been silent throughout the meal.
"Back home." Percy's hand reached under the table, where it tightly intertwined with Nina's hand.Wherever she was, that would be his home.
Old Master Mallory's weathered eyes looked up. They were still sharp despite his age, and his gazeswept across Nina's face.
Nina did not flinch while the old master sized her up. She returned the gaze and seemed to understandwhat Old Master Mallory was thinking—'What an ordinary woman.'
She was ordinary, but Percy loved her...novelbin
Nina's heart tightened. Before she could even gather her thoughts, Old Master Mallory spoke, "This isyour home."
Percy slightly furrowed his brows. He did not retort. After all, Mallory Manor was where he grew up. Itwas perfectly acceptable to call it his home. However, this was not the right time to discuss this issue.He asked Old Master Mallory directly, "Grandpa, if you have something to say, please go ahead."
"Have you two gotten married?" Old Master Mallory asked straightforwardly without beating about thebush.
Percy held Nina's hand and placed it on the table. "Yes. Nina and I have already tied the knot. We'relegally recognized as a married couple."
"Hmph." Old Master Mallory let out a cold snort through his nostrils, expressing both dissatisfaction andmockery.
Nina could feel her face burning.
Was a marriage recognized and protected by the law considered so unworthy in the eyes of the oldmaster?
"It may be legally recognized, but your mother and I won't acknowledge it. Well, I can see that youwon't be separated for the time being," Old Master Mallory said slowly, his gaze falling on their tightlyclasped hands. How could a marriage that was just done on a whim possibly last forever?
It seemed that the Mallory family had a penchant for wandering hearts, even though Percy had notshown it yet.
Percy remained silent, waiting for the old master to continue with his words.
Karen, on the other hand, could no longer sit still. Without waiting for Old Master Mallory's nextsentence, she immediately interjected, "I won't acknowledge this son if they don't break up!"
Percy listened without uttering a word.
Old Master Mallory gave Karen a stern look, blaming her for interrupting him.
Nina lowered her gaze. Even though the old master said that they were inseparable at the moment,she knew there was more he wanted to say.
"But even if you won't separate, I don't believe your relationship will last. I heard that you plan to have awedding? I don't agree to it," continued Old Master Mallory.
Getting married legally was one thing, but having a wedding was a declaration to the world.
If Percy listened to what this woman said and organized a wedding, they would have to announce adivorce to everyone in the future too. The Mallory family could not afford to lose face like that.
Even when Old Master Mallory's son initially wanted to divorce Karen, he intervened and stopped him.After all, the Mallory family could not be like the Crawford family. He had a hand in his son's marriage.Now, to outsiders, it would appear that the couple's marriage was characterized by physical separationrather than emotional rupture.
It was a matter of preserving the family's reputation.
Percy finally understood what Old Master Mallory had in mind. He did not want them to have awedding. Even if they were legally married, without a grand wedding, it would signify that Nina was notvalued by the Mallory family.
Percy did not really care whether outsiders perceive Nina as being valued by the Mallory family.
He wanted to give Nina a grand wedding to show the world that she was cherished and adored by him.
The woman he loved deserved the best in the world.
"The wedding won't be canceled," Percy did not even pretend to agree. He expressed hisdetermination to proceed with the wedding.
Old Master Mallory's face turned unpleasantly red with anger.
"Percy, will you only be at ease when you make me mad?" Old Master Mallory slammed the table withhis large palm, causing the marble dining table to tremble slightly.
The old master was seething with anger.
Mr. Bennet immediately came forward and said in a low voice, "Old Master Mallory, please don't getupset."
Old Master Mallory paid a lot of attention to his health and took care of himself well. He had a muchbetter physical condition than other men of his age. Still, he did have some age-related health issues.
Getting angry was the greatest taboo for elders. Mr. Bennet was afraid Old Master Mallory would bedriven to such fury by Percy that his blood vessels would burst.
As Karen watched Old Master Mallory's face turning red, she enigmatically said, "Father, your threatswon't work. Percy has already been lured by a seductress. He won't listen to anyone. The more you try
to stop him, the more rebellious he'll become."
Mr. Bennet was exasperated. Old Master Mallory was already upset, yet Karen was adding fuel to thefire.
Before Old Master Mallory could say anything, Percy said, "Grandpa, it doesn't matter if you don'tacknowledge Nina. She's my wife, the person I love the most in my entire life. So, I won't give her anyless than what she deserves."