Chapter 321 Scheming woman

Stephan paused, his fingers stilling. “I thought you’d have the courage to tell her you’re her future daughter-in-law.”

Alana pouted. “I’m a coward. When I saw her, I was so scared my brain froze, I didn’t dare make a peep. Besides, I’m not as thick-skinned as you. How could I possibly claim to be her daughter-in-law when there’s not even a hint of that happening yet?”

Stephan chuckled, “What do you mean, ‘not even a glimmer of a chance’? Back at the temple, didn’t you make a wish that you’d only marry me in this lifetime?”

“Yeah, I did make that wish, but that doesn’t mean it’d actually come true.”

“I solemnly promise, I’ll make your wish come true! Let’s go get our marriage license right now, before the Civil Affairs Bureau closes!”

Alana nervously grabbed the man’s large hand. “Hey, wait! Acting first and asking for permission later isn’t right. We should find an opportunity to meet your parents first.”

Stephan raised an eyebrow. “Or should we just get it over with and go see them right now?”

Stephan smiled. “My mom probably hasn’t finished her shift yet; she’s still at the hospital. How about I give her a call right now and ask her to come up and meet her daughter-in-law?”

At those words, Alana shuddered, her adrenaline surging through her veins.

“No, not so fast...”

Seeing Alana’s anxious and resistant expression, Stephan sighed.

He stopped teasing her and instead reached out to embrace her, his warm, strong hands cupping the back of her head and pressing her face into his chest.

“Lana, I believe in you, and I ask you to believe in yourself. You already have what it takes to win over my parents. So, don’t be nervous, and don’t be afraid anymore, okay?”

Listening to the man’s gentle, soothing tone, the tension and unease in Alana’s heart gradually faded, giving way to the calm she should have felt.

What followed was a sense of guilt toward Stephan.

He was so certain of her, trusted her, and encouraged her, yet she... She had let him down.

She lowered her eyes. “I’m sorry...”

Stephan rested his chin against her soft head, gently nuzzling her. “You don’t need to apologize to me. What you need most right now is to overcome the barriers in your heart. There, there. I’m here with you. Two people are stronger than one. I’ll help you get through this.”

Alana bit her lip, wrapped her arms around his waist, and gave a firm nod.

And the sight of the two of them embracing was caught by Darla. Darla clenched her fists tightly.

Seeing Alana cradled in Stephan’s arms as he soothed her with a tender, doting tone.

Jealousy welled up inside her so intensely it felt like acid was bubbling up.

She even found herself fantasizing about how wonderful it would be if Stephan were holding her right now.

How happy she would be.

But the woman in his arms was never her.

Was she really just going to accept defeat like this? Was she really going to accept defeat at the hands of a woman who was in every way inferior to her? No!

She wouldn’t give up so easily!

There must be another way.

If she couldn’t have him, no other woman would get him easily either.

Darla clenched her fists, her eyes red with anger, and turned away in fury.

*************

Later that day, Alana and Stephan discussed it together: they would meet his parents this weekend.

Stephan told Alana, “A daughter-in-law has to meet her in-laws sooner or later. The sooner we do it, the sooner we can put our minds at ease.”

Alana was convinced. Rather than constantly worrying and putting it off, it was better to get it over with quickly, the sooner it was done, the sooner she could move on.

Stephan was amused by Alana’s “ready-to-face-death” attitude; he cupped her face and kissed her passionately several times.

He also quickly sent a message to Cynthia.

[Which day this weekend are you free? I’ll bring my wife back to meet you.]

Cynthia received the message while in her office and was so startled she nearly left her patient behind.

That rascal...he sure moves fast.

Cynthia suppressed her excitement and quickly replied, [I’m free both days. Just let me know when you want to set it up.]

Even if she wasn’t free, she’d have to swap shifts just to meet her future daughter-in-law!

Cynthia then sent a message to her husband: 【Get ready for an emergency this weekend, our son is bringing his fiancée home to meet us. Get the drums rolling and prepare some generous gifts!】

Bernard was puzzled.

When Cynthia walked home from work, she practically glided along. A colleague passing by saw her beaming face and couldn’t help but ask, “Dr. Cynthia, is something happy happening? You look so cheerful.”

Cynthia explained with a smile, “My son is bringing his girlfriend home to meet me this weekend. I’m thrilled.”

Her colleague was surprised. “Wow, isn’t your son the one you’re always complaining about, the lifelong bachelor and hopeless guy? How did he suddenly end up with a girlfriend?”

Cynthia replied, “Well, he’s the type who stays quiet until he makes a big splash. He’s been secretly dating someone behind me and his dad’s backs. Now that the time is right, he’s bringing his girlfriend home to meet us.”

The colleague laughed and said, “Anyway, congratulations in advance! If your son gets married, be sure to invite all of us so we can share in the good fortune.”

Cynthia replied heartily, “No problem!”

Another female colleague suddenly asked, “But Dr. Cynthia, weren’t you planning to introduce Dr. Darla to your son a while back? Isn’t the woman your son is seeing her?”

Cynthia immediately denied it. “No, my son doesn’t like her. I was the one who tried to meddle and force them together back then.”

Darla, who happened to be passing by at that moment, heard every word clearly. Her expression changed instantly.

She was still fuming from the snub she’d just received from Stephan and Alana, and now Cynthia’s words had dealt her another crushing blow.

She couldn’t help but resent Cynthia at that moment. Since Cynthia never intended to accept her as a daughter-in-law, why had she introduced her to Stephan in the first place?

And what was all that talk about doing her utmost to bring her and Stephan together? It had led her to harbor unrealistic hopes about him.

She had even believed that as long as Cynthia accepted her as a daughter-in-law, she would eventually become Stephan’s woman.

But she never expected that Cynthia’s would now reject her so completely.

What gives her the right??

That female colleague spotted Darla standing behind them.

“Uh, Dr. Darla...”

Cynthia turned around and saw Darla’s slightly darkened expression, feeling a bit awkward for a moment.

It felt like she’d been caught red-handed gossiping behind someone’s back.

But... she didn’t say anything.

Cynthia said awkwardly, “Darla, I should let you know that my son already has a girlfriend. This weekend, he’s bringing her back to the Hudson family home to meet me and his father. So, as for you and my son...”

“Since it never really started, let’s just end it here. You’re so wonderful; you’re sure to find a man better than my son.”

Darla bit her lip. “Auntie, you haven’t even met Stephan’s girlfriend yet. How can you be so sure you’ll like her?”

Cynthia nodded. “A woman my son has fallen for can’t be bad. I trust his judgment.”

Darla’s expression shifted repeatedly. Consumed by jealousy, her lovely features began to twist and contort.

“How do you know?”

“What if the woman he’s dating is a scheming vixen, plotting to get her hands on the Hudson family’s fortune?”

“Well...”

Cynthia never expected such slanderous words to come from the mouth of Darla, the daughter of a high-society socialite.

Was this really the Darla she knew, the well-mannered, sensible young lady?

“Darla, you haven’t even met my son’s girlfriend, how can you call her a scheming woman?”

Darla replied, “I know exactly what I’m talking about... because I’ve met her!”

Cynthia’s expression shifted. “What? You’ve met her?”

Darla remained expressionless. “Yes, I’ve seen her.”