Chapter 685
Robert couldn’t help glancing at Anthony, suspicion flickering in his tired eyes. Was this really Anthony’s grandmother? Or had Anthony just found someone to play the part, hoping to trick him into handing Lottie over?
Before Robert could figure it out, a piercing ringtone shattered the silence. Everyone turned at once, searching for the source.
Charlotte pulled out her phone. When she saw “Grandma” on the screen, her expression softened. She answered, her voice gentle and obedient. “Grandma.”
Grandma?
Anthony’s eyes narrowed too. He had only texted Patricia to say the Gates family knew about him and Lottie. It was one thing for her to send over a truckload of birthday gifts without a word, but why the sudden phone call?
Charlotte listened for a moment, then nodded and handed the phone to Robert. “Grandpa, Patricia wants to talk to you.”
Patricia?
Robert froze, mind blank for a second. He took the phone quickly, his tone uncertain. “Hello?”
In all his years, Patricia was the one person Robert truly respected. In her younger days, she had been a force in Astoria’s financial world. After losing her husband, she’d raised two sons and a daughter on her own while running the business he left behind, turning it into a thriving company.
She only stepped back when Anthony took over the Blair Group. Since then, she’d enjoyed a comfortable retirement. Under Anthony’s management, the Blair Group skyrocketed in just two years, becoming a major financial powerhouse in Astoria and making waves all over the world. No one could touch their status.
Meanwhile, Kenneth leaned closer to Roger and Donald, keeping his voice low. “They went public with their relationship half an hour ago and now they’re meeting the parents. Isn’t this moving way too fast?”
Roger and Donald just shot him a look, their faces cold and unreadable. There was definitely a hint of resentment there.
“You’ve got some nerve,” Samantha snapped, reaching behind Kenneth to pinch him hard. “You kept this from us. Just wait until Grandpa finds out. He’ll break your legs.”
Kenneth yelped, looking completely wronged. He muttered, “I’m innocent, okay?” through gritted teeth.
When he found Lottie, Anthony was already with her. He really had nothing to do with all this.
“The first time I met Lottie, I really liked her,” Patricia’s cheerful voice rang out clearly in the quiet hall, thanks to the high phone volume. “Anthony is lucky Lottie likes him back.”
Anthony was speechless. So was everyone else.
“Anthony’s parents have met Lottie
too-they adore her,” Patricia
continued. “Robert, I promise
yo
the entire Blair family will stand by
Lottie. We’ll never let her be treated badly.”
Robert couldn’t get a word in. By the time he finally had a chance to speak, he
realized Patricia’s words had completely put his last worry to rest.
He’d been afraid that, since Anthony was the future heir, the Blair family would be overly picky about their
future daughter-in-law. He nevernet
expected Patricia to be this warm and straightforward. Her words made it obvious-she really liked Lottie.
“To show our sincerity, I’ve had a small gift prepared,” Patricia said, her tone light and friendly. “Please accept it. If there’s anything confusing about it, Anthony can explain.”