Chapter 326 Painting her
Besides, could this brat speak properly for once? He shouldn’t be painting her as a wicked mother-in-law.
“If Alana is willing to marry you, I naturally agree. I’m more than happy for you to get married already, you know that.”
After speaking to Stephan, Cynthia took Alana’s hand and said earnestly, “Lana, please agree to marry my son. Rest assured, as long as you’re willing to join the Hudson family, I promise the whole family will treat you well.”
Alana was deeply moved, but remembering what Darla had said, she feared Cynthia might look down on her because of her background.
“Auntie, I’m not really some rich heiress. I’m not a suitable match for the Hudson family. I’m just... an orphaned girl with no parents, and my only family is my grandmother, who’s the only one willing to treat me like family.”
“To be honest, I’m not the kind of daughter-in-law you’re looking for, someone of equal social standing, virtuous and gentle, highly capable, and a perfect match for your son.”
Upon hearing this, Cynthia’s eyes widened. “Oh my, sweetheart, who told you I want a daughter-in-law like that?”
Alana bit her lip. “It was...”
Stephan glanced at the stammering Alana, guessing she might be too embarrassed to say it, and spoke up directly, “Mom, besides that colleague you’ve been so fixated on, the one you want to push onto me so I’ll get along with her, who else could it be?!”
Cynthia froze. “You mean Darla?”
“Mm-hmm.”
Cynthia looked at Alana again.
Alana paused for a moment, then nodded.
“She said she’s your ideal choice for a daughter-in-law. I... have no status or background. Even if Stephan likes me, there’s no way you’d ever approve of me. You might even go to great lengths to make Stephan give up on me, forcing us to break up...”
After speaking, she glanced cautiously at Cynthia, afraid that her honesty might offend her future mother-in-law.
After all, Darla had said she was Cynthia’s favorite choice for a daughter-in-law.
And by speaking ill of Darla in front of her future mother-in-law, might she be seen as petty or deliberately targeting Darla?
Still, she hadn’t said anything wrong; she had a clear conscience.
She was momentarily speechless.
Cynthia’s brows furrowed instantly.
A surge of anger shot straight to the top of her head.
Stephan looked at Cynthia and accused her sternly.
“Mom, look at this! That is the kind of woman you picked out for me! Behind my back, while I’m away, she’s bullying my woman!”
Cynthia was speechless.
Was Darla really that kind of woman?
If that were the case, then she had truly misjudged her.
Having known Darla for so long, she had always believed Darla to be a highly cultured, morally upright, and virtuous young woman, a true socialite with the grace and poise of a wealthy heiress, as well as exceptional talent and capability.
She never would have imagined that Darla would say such things in front of Alana.
At the thought of this possibility, a twinge of guilt flashed through Cynthia’s mind.
“I had no idea she’d be like this. I’ll go to the hospital later and ask her about it.”
Stephan remained expressionless. “Mom, don’t ask. I advise you to just stay away from her. Who knows, she might try to brainwash you again, and you’re so gullible, you’ll end up believing her.”
Cynthia pouted but she put on a brave face. “Mom isn’t the type to just take whatever others say at face value. Look, didn’t I come straight here to verify it with you? If it were anyone else, they might not even have realized that.”
Stephan eyed her.
Cynthia slapped her thigh, determined to salvage some dignity. “Alright, since you’ve decided to marry Alana, I support you. Let’s find a time for our two families to meet and discuss the wedding arrangements.”
Hearing this, Stephan felt a little better.
He looked at Alana. “Alana only remaining relative is her grandmother. She’s currently in the hospital receiving treatment, so I’m afraid she won’t be able to join us.”
Cynthia was taken aback. “How come her only relative is her grandmother? Have her parents passed away?”
Only after speaking did she realize her words were a bit inappropriate.
Alana explained softly, “Auntie, my parents aren’t dead. They just got divorced. My dad remarried and started his own family, and my mom has her own happiness to pursue. They both have their own new lives, and I couldn’t be a part of them, so I lived with my grandmother.”
Upon hearing this, Cynthia couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy.
So that was the reason.
What a poor child, her parents divorced, neither of them wanted her, and she’s been relying on her grandmother since she was little.
Cynthia patted Alana on the back of the hand. “It’s okay. From now on, Stephan’s father and I will be your parents. Those ungrateful parents of yours, I’d rather do without them.”
Alana bit her lip and gave a soft nod.
She was deeply moved. Stephan’s parents hadn’t looked down on her for her lowly background, as Darla had claimed.
She had been so worried about this beforehand. But now, seeing that his mother didn’t look down on her, she was deeply moved.
Cynthia looked at Alana’s docile demeanor and couldn’t help but think she didn’t seem like the kind of scheming woman with a hidden agenda.
Darla must have misunderstood her.
Cynthia felt even more certain of her own thoughts and said gently, “It’s okay that you don’t have parents. Once your grandmother is feeling better, we can sit down together and discuss the wedding arrangements, it’s not too late.”
Alana gave a soft nod.
Cynthia seemed to remember something. “By the way, your grandmother is being treated at the hospital where I work, isn’t she?”
Alana nodded. “Yes.”
Cynthia asked, “If I have time, would it be okay for me to visit her?”
Alana paused for a moment, then immediately nodded. “Sure.”
Cynthia smiled. “All right, I won’t keep you any longer. I’m sorry for dropping by unannounced like this. If everyone’s free this weekend, let’s get together for a proper meeting.”
Alana had no objections. “Sure.”
Cynthia stood up and glanced at Stephan. “Take good care of Alana. Don’t bully her.”
“Don’t worry. I know what to do without you having to tell me.”
“You little rascal.”
Cynthia gave him a playful scolding look, then warmly bid farewell to Alana and left.
She hadn’t brought anything with her this time and didn’t want to stay too long.
“We’ll talk more next time.” After Cynthia left, Alana’s inner tension gradually subsided.
Only then did she realize that her palms were already covered in a layer of clammy sweat.
Stephan walked over to her with a chuckle, ruffling her hair. “How do you feel?”
Alana looked at him and pouted. “I was scared to death.”
Just after getting out of bed, she’d been caught off guard by his mother, her heart had nearly stopped.
Even though his mother hadn’t given her a hard time, she still couldn’t handle it.
Stephan smiled fondly. “You’re such a scaredy-cat!”
She asked, “But does that mean your mom has accepted me?”
Stephan raised an eyebrow. “Pretty much. After all, I told her I wouldn’t marry anyone but you. If she didn’t approve of you, does she want me to be lonely for the rest of my life?”
Hearing this, Alana’s eyes sparkled; upon closer look, they even glimmered with starlight.
She couldn’t help but spread her arms and embrace the man before her. “That’s wonderful.”
It really was wonderful, she hadn’t been rejected.
Stephan embraced her as well. Seeing how happy she looked, he couldn’t help but smile.
“How did your man do just now?”
Alana looked up and praised him without hesitation.
“You were amazing!”
“Then give me a reward!”
Leaving Alana no chance to refuse, Stephan leaned down and captured her alluring red lips.
He pinned Alana to the sofa, his large, knuckled hands clasping hers, their fingers tightly intertwined. He sucked and licked her lips, ravishing them repeatedly.