Chapter 26: Peeking

"Here is the plan for Christmas Eve: dinner will begin at seven-thirty, followed by a photographer arriving to take family portraits for Twitter. Afterward, we will all head to the second floor to hear the lawyer announce the new will, and then it will be game time—just like in the old days, the traditional family Christmas Eve mini-games."

Anna, old William's young new wife, announced the day's schedule to the family members.

Vincent, slumped on the sofa as if he had no bones, remarked, "Christmas Eve games sound perverted; they always make me feel like it’s going to be something involving an old creep groping our thighs."

Aunt Chloe, who had been reading a financial magazine, rolled her eyes. "Disgusting."

Lu Zhixi stood by the French floor-to-ceiling window leading to the garden, checking his phone. He had received three messages from Lily:

"She says she's going out with friends for Christmas."

"But she didn't tell me who she's going with."

"They’re probably just regular friends; she has so many, it’s not strange for her to go out."

After exiting WeChat, Lu Zhixi opened Weibo. The only account he followed had not posted anything for over three months. He refreshed it many times, but the latest post remained from September. Finally, he put his phone away.

Outside the French windows, the sky was dim and overcast. The bright indoor lights reflected against the glass, showing his anxious, furrowed brows. Whether it was the gloomy weather or something else, an unprovoked sense of unease permeated his heart.

"Hey, why the long face? These two days are your big moment—the new will you've been wishing for! Your nineteenth birthday!"

Vincent walked over with a martini, placing a hand on his shoulder. "When is your flight to China booked for?"

Mentioning the trip to China, Lu Zhixi's expression finally softened slightly. "Tomorrow night."

"You remind me of a few years ago, when it was finally announced that your father would inherit the 'throne,' and I dropped everything to go to the UK to find Abby. Only, I was like a stray dog back then, and when I stood at her door, it was her new husband who opened it for me. You’re different, Alex. You’re a lucky one. Cheer up."

There was a hint of sentimentality in Vincent’s voice.

Other relatives and senior executives who had followed the group for years arrived one after another. Suddenly, Anthony walked down from upstairs, his expression grave. After greeting everyone, he turned to Lu Zhixi and said, "Alex, come with me."

Lu Zhixi ended his conversation with Vincent and followed his father to a small study at the end of the corridor.

Anthony went behind the desk, leaned on the surface with both hands, and fixed his emerald-colored eyes on Lu Zhixi.

"Are you aware that Vincent has been whispering in your grandfather's ear, urging him not to include any members not on the current family trust list in the new will?"

Members not on the current trust list were those who had divorced, broken away from, or were not acknowledged by the family—primarily targeting Anthony’s mistresses and illegitimate children. Judging by Anthony’s expression, he had just been notified in private.

Lu Zhixi smiled. "Why ask me this? What does it matter if I know or not? Were you planning to add someone yourself, Dad?"

The study was quiet for a moment before Anthony’s tone softened. "Alex, I love you very much. I also know I haven't done well in some aspects in the past, causing you and your mother pain."

"It doesn't matter, but that sentiment only represents yourself."

"But there is one thing I must explain to you. Among... the children outside, Simon and Danny are special. They are twins, and because of what happened a year ago... because of you, Simon is unable to walk now, so—"

Before Anthony could finish, Lu Zhixi laughed out loud. "Dad, you can stop. Why can’t you make your apology sound even slightly sincere? No matter what you’re about to say, my answer is no. I am an only child. If you and Mom want to have more children, I have no objection, but if you intend to bring some other bastard into this, there will definitely be consequences none of us want to see."

"Are you threatening me?"

Anthony frowned, looking at him not with the eyes of a father, but with the gaze of someone in power looking at a challenger.

Lu Zhixi’s expression remained unchanged, a smile still lingering on his lips. "Interpret it however you like. Regardless, I’m not the one who can’t control his lower body."

He turned and pushed open the heavy wooden door of the study, leaving without seeing his father’s dark, cold expression.

Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, a strong wind began to blow, causing the trees to sway violently, transforming them into twisted, grotesque ghosts under the gloomy sky. Large raindrops pelted the glass like heart-stopping drumbeats, signaling an unsettling omen.

At six-thirty in the evening, old William, accompanied by a servant, walked slowly down the stairs, holding the railing.

Anna stepped forward to help him, but was pushed away. Old William said, "That's enough. I can walk on my own. Help me when I’m dead and headed for the grave."

Everyone took their seats at the long dining table.

The servants served the meal methodically. After a while, old William tapped his glass with a silver spoon, and the conversation ceased.

"As per tradition, before we formally begin our meal..."

Before old William could finish, the dining room doors were pushed open from the outside. A servant hurried to his side and whispered something. Old William frowned, his already wrinkled face forming a deep, furrowed line.

"Bring them in," he said.

The others at the table sensed the sudden shift in old William’s mood. Chloe pretended to be nonchalant and asked, "Father, what's wrong?"

Old William replied, "Ask your brother, Anthony."

The servant led three people into the dining room.

A stunning brown-haired woman pushed a boy in a wheelchair, accompanied by a curly-haired youth who bore a striking resemblance to the boy in the chair.

The people at the table reacted to the mother and her two sons with varying expressions; some exchanged subtle glances, while others looked down to hide sneers.

Lu Xiu looked the most distressed, for standing there were Anthony’s mistress, Hayley, and the two sons she had borne him. Although Anthony had never conducted a paternity test, the two boys looked exactly like him when he was young.

Lu Zhixi’s expression also turned icy.

Old William said, "Very well. Someone tell me what is going on here."

Anthony glanced at the wife and son sitting opposite him and said to old William, "Father, I notified them to come. Hayley is a friend of mine. Her son Simon was injured in an altercation with Alex last year, and now they are struggling, so they came to us for help."

Chloe couldn’t help but say to Anthony, "A friend? You really are trash." Vincent whispered to her, "I suggest you don't speak at a time like this."

Old William turned his gaze to Lu Zhixi. "What altercation did you have? Why was I never told?"

Anthony spoke up again: "Just an accident. A group of thugs, high on drugs, were shooting in the neighborhood. The children just happened to be there. Simon was frightened and fell from a height, and Alex suffered a shoulder injury, but it’s all in the past. You were recuperating in Vancouver at the time, and we didn't want to disturb you."

No one dared to speak; the air remained silent for nearly a minute.

The incident from a year ago was a scandal for the Williams family. All news was immediately suppressed, the treating doctors signed confidentiality agreements, and the police handling the case received calls from within the family.

Old William said to Anthony, "Shut up. I’m asking Alex."

Lu Zhixi lifted his eyelids, his gaze sinking as he looked at his father, then turned toward the two pitiful-looking illegitimate children, who looked at him with apprehension.

"It wasn't an accident, Grandfather."

Lu Zhixi’s voice was cold and blunt. "I regret that Simon is still alive and sitting here."

Hearing this, Anthony’s expression changed rapidly, and he scolded, "Alex, what on earth are you saying?"

"Fine, I understand. I don't know how many more Christmas Eves I have left, and this is the wonderful dinner you’ve given me."

Old William scoffed, then said to the mother and her two sons standing there, "We’re all family; sit down and eat." He pointed to the end of the long table. "Anna, add chairs and place settings there."

Lu Xiu finally couldn't take it anymore and stood up abruptly.

Old William glanced at her. "What is it with you now?"

"Father, the table is too crowded."

"But I think the weight of the diamond necklace on your neck is enough to keep you seated properly for your meal."

Lu Xiu stood there motionless, staring hard at old William and Anthony, tears glistening in her eyes. "But I don't feel very well. I need to rest."

"My dear, it’s just a meal," Anthony said to her.

Lu Xiu sneered, "That’s right, just a meal. She can take my seat."

"I’ll accompany Mom upstairs to rest," Lu Zhixi said, standing up and supporting Lu Xiu’s arm.

Old William stared at him for two seconds, then said, "Go. Get out, both of you."

Lu Zhixi looked back at his grandfather, but the old man had already looked away.

Whether it was the family members or the senior executives present, they seemed accustomed to such dramatic scenes. They had already begun to chat and laugh as if nothing had happened. Only Aunt Chloe and Uncle Vincent looked at him, their eyes showing disapproval of his departure.

He glanced at his distraught mother and led her upstairs.

When they were finally alone, Lu Zhixi asked softly, "Why don't you divorce him? Dad will give you a large sum of money, and after that, you can return to France to live a comfortable life."

Standing in the empty hallway, Lu Xiu reached out and slapped him across the face.