Thea Lynch didn’t like being late, but she ended up walking in just as ti was up.
The coffee shop wasn’t crowded at this ti, and as soon as she entered, she spotted the two won sitting inside.
Aunt Ronan usually takes good care of herself, almost fifty years old but looking barely over forty. However, Sean Bell’s mother, who sat beside her, was different.
Being Aunt Ronan’s sister-in-law, Sean’s mother should have been younger. Yet, plagued by illness over the years and constantly taking care of herself, she looked frail and haggard.
In Thea’s mory, Sean’s mother was a woman of few words but very gentle.
So gentle that she could be described as having no temper at all.
Thea really had never seen her get angry with anyone, always smiling warmly at everyone. She was truly a woman from the watery town of Jiangnan. However, after Sean’s father passed away and with Sean constantly causing trouble, it seed she aged overnight.
In recent years, Sean’s mother had been living in a nursing ho, reportedly only returning to the courtyard during festivals or holidays.
"Aunt Ronan." Thea stepped forward, according to seniority, she had to call Sean’s mother "Second Aunt," "Second Aunt."
"Co sit down quickly, Thea." Second Aunt forced a smile, holding Thea’s hand to let her sit down.
"Did we interrupt your work, Thea?"
"No, not at all." Thea was very patient with Sean’s mother, "How have you been lately, Second Aunt?"
"I..." Second Aunt was about to answer when Aunt Ronan spoke up: "Your Second Aunt was doing quite well recently, but she’s been feeling a bit unwell in the last few days."
This tifra was drawn too small, clearly hinting at sothing.
With Silas Cheney’s repeated reminders from last night, it wasn’t hard for Thea to guess the purpose of their visit.
To be specific, it was Aunt Ronan’s purpose.
Second Aunt was soft-hearted, always easy to handle. After marrying into the Bell Family, she had no say in major matters, always listening to Aunt Ronan. Whatever Aunt Ronan said, went, and she rarely refuted.
So this ti, Second Aunt was likely dragged here by Aunt Ronan.
Given that, Thea gave Aunt Ronan the opportunity, and proactively asked:
"Is there anything troubling you lately, Second Aunt?"
Aunt Ronan stayed silent this ti, rely giving Sean’s mother a couple of glances.
After a while, Second Aunt sighed, "It’s all about Sean. I thought he should have grown up a bit after working for these years, but who knew... he still likes to ss around so much."
"Thea, you’ve probably heard about Sean’s recent incident with the youngest from the Rhodes Family," Aunt Ronan chid in.
Just at that mont, the server ca over. Thea nodded slightly, signaling for them to place the coffee down.
After the server left, she replied calmly, "I heard about it. I returned to the courtyard imdiately to get an understanding of the situation from Fourth Brother."
"It should just be an accident, Second Aunt, don’t let it bother you too much. I heard the Rhodes Family didn’t make a fuss over it, and Norbert Rhodes wasn’t seriously hurt either."
Aunt Ronan: "That’s because your Third Brother intervened."
She seed to emphasize this point intentionally. Thea looked up and heard Aunt Ronan say, "This didn’t seem much like an accident; Sean seed to have done it on purpose."
"Where did you hear that, Aunt Ronan?" Thea felt that Sean’s mother’s distress was partly due to Aunt Ronan stirring up trouble and adding unnecessary worry.
"It doesn’t quite match what I heard. Fifth Brother and Norbert Rhodes don’t even know each other, so where does ’on purpose’ co from?"
"I don’t think so. Sean has always cared about you, and with Norbert not leaving you alone, he might have done sothing like this for you."
This statent was no longer a subtle hint but directly targeted Thea.
After a brief eye contact, Thea suddenly laughed.
Ronan Bell frowned. When Thea wasn’t smiling, she looked a lot like her father, with an indifferent look toward everything.
Her father was a typical "bookworm," a straightforward tech guy. His mind was fully dedicated to research. He didn’t seem like soone from a family of generals, and compared to the Lynch Family’s eldest, he lacked a hardness but had more rigidity.
And when Thea smiled, she bore a resemblance to her mother.
Thinking of that woman, Ronan Bell clenched her hand.
Even after all these years, she still hated the Lynch Family couple.
Especially Thea’s mother.
This had beco an insurmountable obstacle for her.
Years ago, she lost her ladylike composure, hysterically accusing, while opposite her, Thea’s father rely frowned. As for Thea’s mother, she sat there elegantly, detached, smiling faintly at her.
It was a stark contrast to her own embarrassnt at the ti, and at that mont, without saying a word, that woman’s every expression was an insult.
"Norbert and I haven’t had any dealings for a long ti. Aunt Ronan, you really wronged ."
Even faced with an elder, Thea had no intention of showing deference. Her words were direct and piercing:
"If Aunt Ronan has a grievance against , just say it directly. There’s no need to roundaboutly accuse . To say Fifth Brother did such a thing for gives too much credit."
Ronan’s smile faded slightly.
The atmosphere instantly turned tense, and Second Aunt was scared, quickly explaining, "That’s not it, Thea. Don’t take it to heart; we just heard so rumors from outside. Don’t think too much of it, Thea."
Second Aunt feared she might get angry, "Actually, the main reason I ca today is to ask if you could talk to Sean."
"I heard he was being unruly again last night. Please, have a good talk with him for ."
"That kid, he doesn’t listen to anyone now. Even the way your Third Brother scolds him doesn’t work."
"He’s not close to anyone except you, so I’m really at a loss..."
"I’m afraid if he keeps this up, he’ll do sothing outrageous like he did years ago."
"I called him today, and he was impatient, wouldn’t listen at all."
"The old man has always indulged him."
Second Aunt sighed heavily, her eyes brimming with tears.
Thea held her hand back, "I can’t quite figure Fifth Brother out either. We had a bit of a disagreent last night. But rest assured, I’ll do my best to communicate with him and prevent him from making mistakes."
"Last night’s incident was indeed a misunderstanding, partly due to ."
"I’ve heard about it. It wasn’t your fault. It’s just that he’s a bit impulsive, doesn’t like anyone, and doesn’t care about reasons; he does whatever he wants. Ah, he’s been spoiled by ."
The general events of last night were actually spread quickly.
Though Ian Preston intervened afterward to stop the rumors, it wasn’t hard for the elders like Second Aunt to find out.
Thea wasn’t one to stir up trouble, and everyone around her knew that.
So Second Aunt didn’t intend to bla her.
All the problems were Sean’s fault.
She was well aware of what her son was like.
After comforting Second Aunt, Thea needed to return for a eting.
"You head back to the car, I’ll see Thea off," Aunt Ronan stopped Second Aunt, her gaze on Thea.
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