Gentlemanly Manners
668 Words
After more than an hour’s car ride, Elena Lin arrived at the Bowen family’s old estate with mixed emotions.
As soon as they stepped inside, an excited voice rang out from the sofa.
“My dear granddaughter-in-law is here! Elena, come and sit next to Grandma! I’ve been waiting for you!”
Elena’s lashes fluttered slightly, her emotions wavering beneath the surface. Forcing a faint smile, she hesitated before speaking.
“Grandma, I’m sorry… these past few weeks—”
Before she could finish, Eleanor Bowen patted her hand gently and said with warmth,
“You don’t have to say anything. Grandma knows everything.”
Elena’s eyes widened slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing her face.
“You… know everything?”
That didn’t seem right. If Grandma knew about the divorce, she wouldn’t be greeting her like this…
Michael Bowen also looked at Eleanor in surprise.
Eleanor shot Michael a sharp glare before turning back to Elena with a look of concern.
“Yes, dear, I know everything. This brat has no sense of propriety! How could the granddaughter-in-law I personally chose be anything but the best? And yet, he doesn’t even know how to cherish you!”
Elena stared at her, stunned. Did Grandma really know?
Eleanor pulled her down to sit beside her, her voice firm.
“Don’t worry! If he dares to stay out all night again, I’ll break his legs! Just wait and see how I deal with him!”
Elena’s heart trembled slightly. So, this was what Grandma meant by “knowing everything”—she was aware Elena had been suffering, but she had no idea about the divorce.
Michael’s expression darkened, but before he could say anything, Eleanor scowled at him.
“What’s with that face? What, do I need your permission to have my own granddaughter-in-law over for a meal?”
Michael schooled his expression. “I wouldn’t dare.”
“Hmph! What are you afraid of?” Eleanor huffed before crossing her arms. “You’re not a child anymore, yet you still haven’t given me a great-grandchild! There are many ways to be unfilial, but not having descendants is the worst—do you understand that?!”
Seeing Eleanor stand up, Elena quickly reached out to support her.
Michael frowned, his gaze flickering toward Elena.
The servants had already begun setting the table, anticipating Michael’s return.
Eleanor grabbed Elena’s hand and led her to the dining table. “Come, let’s eat! If he doesn’t like it, he can leave and never come back!”
Michael’s face grew even darker, but he said nothing. Instead, he silently walked over and sat down across from them.
Throughout the meal, Eleanor doted on Elena, piling food onto her plate as if she were her own granddaughter—while treating Michael as if he were the outsider.
Elena ate leisurely, chatting with Eleanor, while Michael, for once, was left out. After several minutes of silence, he finally spoke.
“Grandma, why did you suddenly ask me to come home for dinner?”
Eleanor scoffed. “How long has it been since you last came home?” She set her chopsticks down with a sharp tap. “Can’t you spare a little time for an old woman like me? Your grandfather is always away on business trips, and I’m left here alone. And you dare to ask me that?”
Michael: “…”
He remained silent and focused on his meal.
Eleanor, however, wasn’t done. The more she spoke, the angrier she became. Finally, she slammed the table in frustration.
“Enough! Elena is your wife! You should cherish her! Instead, you’re always running off to the hospital to see that vixen. Don’t you think you’ve embarrassed the Bowen family enough?”
Michael’s face turned cold. “Grandma, she saved my life.”
Eleanor scoffed. “Saved your life? Ha! Anyone with eyes can see it’s just a trick!”
Michael’s frown deepened as he turned to Elena, his gaze cold and unreadable.
- Writer
