Chapter 1605 - 1592: As Far as the Eye Can See, Eternal Love: Not Comfortable When I Kiss? What About Joseph?

Looking at the plate of vinegar-infused bean sprouts placed before her, Emily Zimmerman couldn’t quite pin down her feelings. She merely mentioned that she also wanted some, and Joseph Lancaster promptly set the entire dish in front of her.

This gesture seemed considerate but actually reeked of impatient perfunctoriness.

Everyone at the table looked over because Joseph Lancaster’s action was sudden; no one knew what had happened, and he had already placed the entire dish of vinegar-infused bean sprouts in front of Emily Zimmerman.

Emily Zimmerman’s expression was visibly awkward, while Joseph Lancaster picked up some food and continued eating, completely indifferent to her predicament.

Violet Zimmerman buried herself in eating the vinegar-infused bean sprouts, trying to minimize her presence. Although the girl sitting next to her was the one embarrassed, she inexplicably felt a sense of guilt.

Everyone could see the stark difference in the way her uncle treated her and his "girlfriend."

Daxton Lancaster’s hand holding the wine glass was still suspended in the air, looking across the two women at his brother Joseph, who took a bite of food and then picked up his wine glass again, showing no change in expression.

Augustus Zimmerman and his wife seemed a bit puzzled, as if they hadn’t yet processed what had happened.

Lorelei Howard was quick to react, immediately joking, "Joseph, you’re something else! Placing Emily’s favorite dish in front of her, with all these people around, you’re putting her on the spot!"

Emily Zimmerman forced a smile; she could tell whether Joseph’s actions were out of care or mere perfunctoriness.

"Our Emily has always liked plain food since she was a child and doesn’t like greasy food. I didn’t expect Joseph to know that."

Isabella Fletcher seemed unaware of the situation, yet she was quite satisfied with Joseph’s demeanor.

Joseph Lancaster gave a reluctant smile but said nothing.

"Joseph, offer a toast to your in-laws; don’t always rely on your elder brother to take the lead."

Bodhi Lancaster sternly reminded him. Joseph Lancaster reluctantly stood up, "Uncle, Aunt, I offer you a toast."

Joseph Lancaster’s attitude was overly perfunctory, and every member of the Lancaster family could see it.

The only university graduate in the family so far, usually eloquent, was so perfunctory when meeting his in-laws for the first time.

Augustus Zimmerman and his wife, unfamiliar with Joseph Lancaster, thought he was simply a man of few words and happily responded with many "good"s. After toasting, Joseph sat down and continued eating, showing no intention of attending to Emily beside him.

The drinkers ate slowly, and Violet Zimmerman watched the table as people kept exchanging toasts. It was quite boring but inappropriate to leave early. Sitting beside her was the future wife of her uncle; leaving early might lead her husband, Daxton Lancaster, to overthink.

After all, the relationship between her and her uncle was unusual, and Daxton was quite suspicious. Even now, whenever he drank, he would ask her if she had feelings for her uncle.

With no other choice, Violet had to stay and, feeling restless, kept suppressing yawns.

Daxton Lancaster also noticed Violet’s weariness, but since it was the first visit of the in-laws, it seemed impolite for the mistress of the household to leave early.

Daxton turned to her, his face paler after drinking white wine, with faint bloodshot eyes, and whispered, "Have some more food, and you’ll feel energized."

Violet shook her head, "I can’t eat anymore."

Having said that, she covered another yawn.

Last night, the cat, Little Black, died, leaving her in a bad mood, and she didn’t sleep well all night. She also skipped her nap during the day and was now feeling overwhelmingly sleepy after eating.

"Alright, just sit a bit longer. It’ll be over soon."

Daxton raised his glass again to entertain Augustus Zimmerman and his wife, and Violet let out a long sigh. Daxton must have repeated this line so many times already.

Dinner began at three and was close to ending at six. Violet leaned on her chair, visibly bored, with no indication from Daxton to let her rest early.

After finishing another glass of wine, Joseph Lancaster spoke first, looking past Emily and Violet at his elder brother, Daxton, "Brother, let Sister-in-law go rest first. She’s been sitting for so long, her little nephew might not be able to take it."

As Joseph finished speaking, Augustus Zimmerman and his wife seemed to notice the pregnant woman accompanying them. Isabella Fletcher apologized profusely, "Look at us, caught up in our joy. Daxton, let’s call it a night and take your wife back to rest."

"No need for formalities, in-laws. Let Violet rest, and we’ll continue our chat."

Lorelei Howard laughed, then turned to summon a maid, "Mrs. Wu, take Madam back to rest."

Violet stood up, "Daxton, you entertain the guests. I’ll head back first."

Once out of the banquet hall, Violet let out a heavy sigh. Men who drank often smoked. Since becoming pregnant, Daxton rarely smoked in front of her, but even with the doors and windows open, the occasional whiff of tobacco was suffocating.

Both families were very pleased with the engagement. After all, since ancient times, alliances between officials and merchants were considered the perfect match. By the time the dinner ended, it was eight o’clock, and everyone had had quite a bit to drink.

Augustus Zimmerman’s family was arranged to rest in a vacant small villa next to Bodhi Lancaster. Daxton Lancaster’s family quarters were all in one direction.

It was unclear whether Joseph Lancaster was genuinely drunk or pretending, supported by a servant and Emily Zimmerman as he returned to his quarters.

When Daxton Lancaster got back to his quarters, Violet was already asleep, completely unaware of his entrance.

Daxton stood by the bed for a while before entering the bathroom, running a bath, and leaning back in the tub with his eyes closed.

In the past, the more he drank at a social gathering, the more muddled he became. But today, despite consuming so much white wine, he was incredibly clear-headed.

Scenes played like a movie in his mind, spinning endlessly.

Even though he was busy hosting the guests during dinner, his brother Joseph’s little actions did not escape his notice. He served his wife food four times. What seemed like nonchalant gestures were very telling when his classmate wanted vinegar-infused bean sprouts, yet Joseph set the entire dish in front of her...

Suddenly, Daxton opened his eyes, stepped out of the tub, casually pulled on a robe, and walked out.

Violet lay flat on the bed, her hands resting on her round belly, sleeping soundly.

Daxton stood by the bed, watching his sleeping wife, and the scene of his brother Joseph kissing her belly unwittingly flashed in his mind.

His eyes narrowed slightly. Daxton lay sideways beside Violet.

The breaths of a man who had been drinking were particularly warm, bursts of heat hitting against his chest. Violet frowned in displeasure and waved a hand, but Daxton caught her wrist.

Pregnant women are naturally sensitive to heat, especially in summer. Coupled with the fact that Daxton had drunk a lot of white wine, his breath felt burning hot like fire. Violet groggily opened her eyes, saw the man in front of her, and frowned in displeasure, "Daxton, stop kissing, it’s uncomfortable."

Daxton suddenly lifted his head, his expression a mix of amusement and something else as he looked at Violet, "It’s uncomfortable when I kiss, but what about when Joseph does it? Is that comfortable?"