Chapter 185: Chapter 185

In the Thornston estate that same morning, they were seemingly unaware of the things that had gone on that morning in the general public as they continued their family breakfast or rather, brunch, considering the time of day.

Shelby was genuinely puzzled, and the emotion became more profound with each asset that Brad listed. It was like Brad wanted to give everything that he owned to her.

’Why would he do that anyway? Is he so sorry for that night that he would consider doing this? Or is it just because his family is around, and he wants to save face?’

Ian chuckled to himself and continued his meal.

However, that was not what she thought when she decided to take up Brad’s offer.

"Huh?" She looked straight at Brad while saying,

"What are you talking about? I want you to teach Ingrid to play a musical instrument."

Ingrid was the first to react to that; she fell into a coughing fit at the words. Shelby reached out and handed her a glass of water.

"Are you okay, Ingrid?" Shelby asked worriedly.

Ingrid nodded as the cough subsided. She took a sip of the water and she turned her large brown eyes, which were mostly hidden by the huge glasses, to Shelby. Even though she said nothing, Shelby understood the questions behind her gaze very well. She smiled gently at the little girl, and Ingrid blushed, lowering her head, and going back to her meal.

On the other hand, Brad stopped mid-sentence and looked at Shelby as if she had grown a second pair of eyes or something.

"You want me to teach the ’second brat’ how to play a musical instrument? But Why?"

Ingrid continued eating even though she was the subject of the conversation. If anything, she lowered her head even further. Shelby reached out her hand to rub her back fondly and felt the tension building up ease a bit. She continued the slow rubbing circles while she held Brad’s gaze.

"That’s not nice of you, Uncle Brad!"

"Butt out of the conversation, ’third brat’!"

Gabriel huffed and then turned to Shelby, "Mama Shelby, Uncle Brad is using bad words! He will not be a gentleman, right?"

Geneva chuckled, "Watch your words, Brad!"

Brad did not mind any of them, "Whhhhyyyyyyyy? Sister-in-law, that’s not fair, why would you-"

"It looks like you were not sincere in your offer then," Ian chipped in casually.

That made Brad stop and reconsider his words. Brad could also feel the newcomer’s piercing gaze, which still made him unsettled, so he refused to even look in his direction. However, this was hard, considering that he was directly behind Shelby’s side of the table.

"That’s the only thing I want so..."

"Ok, I will do anything that sister-in-law wants!"

"I think Ingrid would love that so much. Don’t mind her shyness. She’ll warm up to you with time, but in the first few sessions, I may be there with her if you do not mind."

"Mind? Me? Not at all, sister-in-law!"

It was settled right there and there. With the little time Shelby had spent around the kids, she had noticed Ingrid’s love for music. She sung when she thought that no one was around and when she had her way, she only searched for music-related videos online.

’This is the best move! Ingrid does not have to go out to do this. With an in-house tutor, she’ll be comfortable and learn with ease.’

On the other side, Alex raised an eyebrow indicating his surprise. This was regarding the ease with which Brad had agreed. He remembered that Brad detested teaching anyone anything... why would he agree to this? Was he so regretful of his actions that he would go to these lengths to get his sister-in-law’s approval? To Alex and the rest, it seemed easier for Brad to give all his self-worth to Ingrid than to teach her anything.

"That’s interesting...." Alex muttered to himself.

Ian turned back to his wife, his eyes softening and his mouth curving upwards slightly.

Was the son who had been so cold and detached also capable of such an expression? Even Alex could not help but notice the helplessness, indulgence, and tenderness that filled Ian’s gaze whenever his eyes landed on his wife as he was doing at that moment.

This was more often than anyone expected. Geneva was proud of herself for picking out the perfect candidate for her son. She could not believe the drastic changes that had taken place in her son, but she was satisfied.

What more can a parent ask for? The shadow of Aliya was finally off the family for life .... Except for the presence of the children that Ian had adopted after her death.

There was nothing to be done about them as Shelby had wholly accepted them as hers. They could see that the youngest, Gabriel, had latched onto Shelby in a way that most people would believe 100% that he was her biological son.

The second and Aliya’s biological child was also warming up to her. Anyone could see that Ingrid was less reserved when she was around Shelby. What more could anyone ask for? The only problem was definitely the oldest.

Geneva made a mental note to pay more attention to the children and ’straighten up’ Samantha. They all continued their meal quietly until Gabriel asked a question.

Ian turned from Shelby, upset that he had been called when he was attending to his wife.

Despite his sentiments, he still gave his whole attention to Gabriel. Ian picked up a napkin and cleaned Gabriel’s mouth, which had a lot of particles stuck there.

"Thank you, Daddy!" He gave Ian a wide smile, showing the food he was still chewing.

"Don’t talk while you eat." Ian chided slightly.

Gabriel nodded and finished chewing, swallowed what was in his mouth, and then asked,

"Why is Sam like that with Mama Shelby? Does Sam not like her? But Mama Shelby is nice, and she is our mother now, right?"

Because no one else had been talking at the table at that moment, all eyes turned to Samantha at that question. Gabriel’s main concern at that moment was that Samantha might anger Shelby to the point that she would not be their mother again. That was too unsettling for him. He liked his sister but he also wanted his new mother to stay in his life.

Currey and Murray stood at their respective places at the room’s far end. Even they exchanged glances. Suzie let out an exaggerated sigh and Katie remained as impassive as ever, and Geneva’s scowl at Samantha increased. Even Brad had a reaction. He turned towards Samantha only to narrowly miss a glare that the girl had trained on Shelby.

For Ingrid, she placed her fork on her plate and raised her eyes just a tiny bit to look at her older sister. Ingrid just shook her head and resumed her meal as if she had not heard anything.

"That’s a good question, Gabriel," Ian replied. He understood Gabriel’s main reason for asking this too.

’I have neglected them for too long. I must find a way to make it up to them and also make sure that my Elfin does not tire herself on them.’ Ian thought.

"We can ask Samantha if you’d like to, but I believe that she does not know what is best for her."

Ian’s cold gaze settled on Samantha, making the girl squirm. She felt attacked, but she could not help it.

"OK, Daddy! But, Mama Shelby will still be my mother even if Sam does not know what is best for her, right?"

"Hahahahahahahahaha!!!!" Brad burst out laughing so hard that he nearly toppled off his seat.

Gabriel looked up at his uncle with an innocent look, not understanding what Brad was amused by. Samantha, on the side, was fuming as a few amused snickers went around the table.

"Of course, she’ll always be your mother because she is my wife, and she promised you herself, right?"

Gabriel’s enthusiasm made all around smile. Satisfied with the answer and not aware that Samantha was fuming because of this, Gabriel resumed his meal.

"Shelby, your good-for-nothing step-father’s trial is today right?"

"I wonder why they decided to do that on a Sunday..."

Geneva turned to Currey,

"What’s the status of that?"

Currey turned to Ian as if seeking silent approval. With a slight nod from him, Currey stared,

"It was a short trial and he was sentenced to life imprisonment."

"Serves him right! However, wasn’t that too short of a trial? Especially on a Sunday?" Geneva stated and then answered her own question, "The evidence against him must have been solid then. Anyway, I’m glad that he is out of our hair. Shelby, don’t be sad about a prick like that, but you have to take care of your brother-"

Just then Shelby’s phone dinged. Shelby had no sentiments against James’ incarceration. It was her mother that she was worried about.

"Thanks Mum," Shelby said and reached out for her phone. She opened the message: "Sissy, help.... Your brother is drowning in life!"

Even though the message was slightly amusing, Shelby knew that there was nothing amusing about for she knew her brother. ’What happened to Rocky? I hope he is okay!’

She frowned and tried to call her brother, but her phone rang then.

She was not surprised to see her mother as the caller ID. Her clear, shrill voice was so sharp that those in her immediate surroundings heard Clara: "Shelby.... My sweet daughter! Please help me! Please!"

Just then, Ava rushed in, but seeing the whole family there, she stopped in her tracks, her hand clenching her phone tightly.

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