Since She Met Lucian novel Chapter 81

Just as Lucian handed over the framed painting to Nicholas, Nicholas's smile widened to form a pleasant grin.

No matter who had made this painting, Nicholas was moved by Lucian's intention.

Lucian had always been aloof ever since Fiona passed away. He seldom returned to the Zhan mansion for the Spring Festival. Nicholas found it both surprising and pleasant to have dinner with his son.

Fannie stayed silent and just stood in one corner, glaring at Amelia at the same time.

"Mom, this is what Amelia chose for you." Lucian took the clothes from the bag and handed them to Fannie.

Fannie's expressions changed at that. Her face turned from slightly surprised to indifferent in a few seconds. She looked coldly at Amelia and said, "I have many clothes. I don't need these."

Amelia's heart trembled when Fannie rejected her gift bluntly. After recovering from her shock, she forced a smile.

Before she could open her mouth, Lucian interrupted, "All right." Lucian's expression was cold and icy when he stuffed the clothes back in the bag.

"It's the New Year's Eve, Fannie. Why can't you at least pretend to be happy?" Nicholas couldn't stand still after seeing Fannie's behavior. Seriousness floated in his eyes when he gazed at her.

Fannie clutched her fist tightly and glared at Nicholas. She took multiple breaths to suppress her anger. "Do I have to grin all the time just to make you happy?"

Nicholas was speechless and sighed deeply.

Fannie ruined the serene atmosphere between Lucian and his father.

Lucian ignored Fannie and walked toward Amelia. He held her hand gently and whispered soothingly, "It's okay."

Amelia's lips stretched to form a faint smile. Her heart didn't have a trace of anger or distress anymore. She had expected Fannie to behave like that anyway.

After eating, both Nicholas and Lucian went to the study while Amelia waited in the living room.

Fannie was calmly staring at the cup in her hand, and she sipped it again. Fannie seemed calm on the surface. She didn't even gaze at Amelia with her displeased expressions. Amelia glanced at the woman and shifted uneasily on her seat as if she wanted to say something. She opened her mouth, but nothing came out. What if she ended up annoying Fannie again? The silence made her feel even more awkward.

"I know Lucian and his father like you already, but I won't. And don't worry, I won't accept you for the rest of my life," Fannie said coldly.

Those words made Amelia's heart feel suffocated. She averted her eyes and looked down.

Before silence between them could become even more awkward, Lucian walked downstairs and took hold of Amelia's hand. He didn't even glance at Fannie and said, "Happy New Year, mom. We should go home."

Fannie's anger increased after seeing the two of them together, and she turned her face away. She picked up her coffee and continued to drink, ignoring Amelia's and Lucian's existence.

Lucian dragged out his frowning wife, deciding to head home. They were silent for their entire journey. Just as Lucian got out of the car, he observed a weird expression on Amelia's face. "Amelia, didn't you promise not to take Fannie seriously? Why are you frowning?" His gaze carried a hint of worry when he gazed at her.

Amelia touched her forehead and asked, "Did I really frown?"

"Like an old lady in her seventies!" Lucian had a playful smile on his lips. He urged her to sit on the couch and asked, "Guess why my father called me in the study?" His voice carried a hint of mystery.

Amelia's confused gaze cast on him before pouting when he didn't say anything else. "I don't know."

He grinned and made a sound as if he was dramatically beating drums before revealing some mystery. Lucian took out two red packets from his coat and handed them to Amelia. "This one is from father, and the other one is from me."

Amelia stared at the red packets in a daze. The packets had a lot of money. Her heart floated in the warmth of love.

Her mind traveled back to when Iris used to give her red packets, especially the one Iris handed just before dying. Amelia used to feel distressed at this time of the year because she would be reminded of that painful memory. When she looked at the two red packets in her hand, her eyes moistened. She didn't know what to say.

It was the Spring Festival, and Lily had gone to her hometown to stay with her family members. That meant Lucian and Amelia were alone in the huge villa. It was Amelia who decided to cook for the Spring Festival's Eve.

She wore a floral apron, thinking about all the dishes she would make. Just as Amelia was about to start cooking, Lucian stopped her. He smiled and took her apron off. "I'll cook dinner."

"You can cook?" Amelia couldn't believe what she heard. 'He can't even wash the dishes. How can he cook?' she wondered.

"You don't have to take care of the chores tonight. You have done enough already. Go and watch TV." Lucian's voice was soft.

Amelia rolled her eyes. She didn't believe in Lucian's cooking skills, but she was curious.

He didn't like to be stared at by others while cooking. Just as he opened the fridge, he felt someone's stare on his back, and he turned around to see Amelia still standing at the door. Smiling awkwardly, he said, "You can go. I'll call you when it's ready."

Even though she wanted to see him working in the kitchen, she had to leave. "All right." Amelia pouted and watched TV obediently in the living room.

About an hour had passed, and Amelia couldn't take it anymore. Curiosity took over her heart, and she sneaked into the kitchen. Lucian was standing in the dining room, holding a bottle of red wine. He placed it on a round table draped with a red cloth. In the middle, she could see a giant white candle bursting with yellow light. Then she saw him taking other candles.

"Oh my God! A romantic dinner with candles!" Amelia stared at the scene with wide eyes and covered her mouth. She was so surprised that her words came out in the form of a high-pitched voice.

Lucian didn't expect for Amelia to show up suddenly. He frowned and looked at her, relaxing his shoulders the next second. "Amelia, please turn off the lights." He watched her robotically clicking the button, still in shock, and he presented her with a gentle smile.