CHAPTER 450: CHAPTER 450: PAST LOVES AND OLD STORIES

"Thank you, Grandpa." Quinn Lockwood looked at Grandpa Sinclair with his caring demeanor, and felt very moved inside.

It turns out that the person in the family who knows and cares about me the most is still Grandpa Sinclair.

"Elias, you little rascal, come over here too!" Grandpa Sinclair had just taken a few steps before stopping, as if remembering something, he turned his head and shot Elias Sinclair a fierce glance.

Elias Sinclair nodded, then strolled over.

His handsome face showed no sign of emotion, making it hard for anyone to discern what he was feeling at this moment.

Quinn Lockwood opened and closed her lips twice, but failed to utter a word, merely lifting her gaze to sneak a look at Elias Sinclair.

Yet, as soon as she turned her head, she met a pair of narrow and deep eyes.

The man’s eyes were deep and dark, as if glimmering with starlight, yet it was fleeting.

"Maya, come over and join us for dinner. Don’t go back tonight, stay and keep Auntie company." Mrs. Sinclair noticed that Quinn Lockwood had been taken away by the old man, and was somewhat worried that Melody Shepherd might feel awkward.

She gently tapped Melody Shepherd’s hand, and her gaze carried a hint of expectation.

Melody Shepherd heard Mrs. Sinclair’s words and pressed her lips with some hesitation, then glanced at Elias Sinclair in front.

"Alright, let’s settle it this way, come and eat." Mrs. Sinclair caught Melody Shepherd’s look, a briefly flashed comforting smile on her lips, and without waiting for Melody Shepherd to answer, she led her by the hand towards the dining table.

Melody Shepherd lowered her head and did not refuse Mrs. Sinclair’s warm invitation.

After the snapper soup was done, this family reunion banquet of the Sinclair Family truly began.

Although Grandpa Sinclair and Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair are elders, it was Elias Sinclair who was now in charge of everything at home, so the seating was naturally arranged according to the usual positions.

But this time, sitting next to Elias Sinclair was not only Quinn Lockwood, but also Melody Shepherd.

Mrs. Sinclair purposely gave up her seat, allowing Melody Shepherd to sit on Elias Sinclair’s other side.

"Maya, you’re really outstanding. We know about your award in ballet dancing," said Mrs. Sinclair.

"I remember when you and Elias had just started dating, you went abroad for a competition and won a championship, right?" Mrs. Sinclair placed a piece of fish in Melody Shepherd’s bowl. Her gaze was full of affection, as if she couldn’t wait to make Melody Shepherd her daughter-in-law.

"I didn’t expect Auntie you’d remember." Melody Shepherd slightly curved her lips, a faint blush appearing on her fair and clear face like a light red cloud in a pure sky, perfectly beautiful.

She slowly lifted her head, her smile deepening with her movement, stopping at the most standard and gentle moment, pausing in time.

"At that time, the preparation was quite rushed, thought wouldn’t win the championship, never imagined actually winning..." Melody Shepherd’s voice was pure and sweet, though not loud. The shy expression that occasionally appeared on her face seemed modest, unwilling to dwell on the matter.

"You’ve always been very exceptional. From the first day Elias brought you home, I really liked you. I’ve wondered what kind of girl it was that Elias was willing to bring home..."

The more Mrs. Sinclair looked at Melody Shepherd, the more she liked her, especially after comparing her with Savannah Lowell, her fondness grew several levels.

Actually, Mrs. Sinclair was aware of things Savannah Lowell had done, but because she and Mr. Sinclair spent most of their time abroad, they chose to ignore Savannah’s supposed ’disgraceful’ actions, preferring peace of mind.

As it happened, the first person to pick them up upon their return was Melody Shepherd. The two conversed harmoniously, and knowing that Melody Shepherd and Elias collaborated extensively in securities investment, rather than the seemingly ineffectual Quinn Lockwood, it was natural that Mrs. Sinclair preferred Melody more.

Quinn Lockwood kept her head down, scooping rice into her mouth one bite at a time.

Although she was eating rice, not a single grain entered her mouth; she repeated the action mechanically, unable to muster any interest in her favorite snapper soup before her.

Wasn’t it just Elias bringing Melody Shepherd home to meet the family? Wasn’t it just Melody Shepherd receiving Mrs. Sinclair’s admiration? Wasn’t it just Melody Shepherd winning an international ballet award?

What’s there to be jealous about, what’s there to envy?

Quinn Lockwood unconsciously sped up her eating pace, the conversation between Mrs. Sinclair and Melody Shepherd replaying over and over like a loop in her mind.

Her eyes unknowingly filled with a bitter warm stream.

Quinn Lockwood covered her nose, as if trying to conceal something, and raised her chopsticks. Just as she was about to pick up the broccoli in front of her, a piece of tender fish suddenly appeared in her bowl.

Following the chopsticks holding hand to the side, she saw Elias Sinclair gently lowering his eyes towards her. Despite his indifferent and distant look, his hand softly picked up the napkin beside him, placing it gently on Quinn Lockwood’s lap.

"Ahem, we’re having a family meal, so let’s not discuss outsiders." Grandpa Sinclair gave Mrs. Sinclair a discontented look, causing even Melody Shepherd nearby to feel a sense of chill.

"You folks haven’t been back for so long, you probably don’t know how much Elias has changed."

"He used to be quite expressionless, even facing me with no trace of a smile, but things have changed. Since Savannah came to the house, I’ve seen Elias smile several times."

"I’ve always said that young folks should choose the partner that suits them, living happily and comfortably is what truly matters."

Grandpa Sinclair laid down his chopsticks, his face full of contentment looking in the direction of Elias Sinclair and Quinn Lockwood, as if he’d completed a complex business task.

Grandpa Sinclair briefly glanced at Melody Shepherd, then returned his focus to the two, noticing Quinn Lockwood still had her head slightly lowered, with no reaction. His brows furrowed slightly in concern.

"Isn’t that right, Elias?"

Elias Sinclair heard his grandfather’s words, his lips curled into a small arc, showing a thoughtful expression.

Just when Quinn Lockwood thought Elias Sinclair would never respond, his cool voice resonated by her ear, carrying a firm and undeniable resolution: "Yes, Grandpa."

"Savannah is indeed wonderful."

The man’s calm yet stable voice echoed in Quinn Lockwood’s ear, like a pair of warm and strong arms wrapping her tightly into a broad embrace in an instant.