Chapter 4: Flirting Under the Dining Table

The visitor was none other than Armand Coleridge, the younger brother of her father-in-law, Elliot Coleridge.

Although Armand Coleridge was Elliot Coleridge's younger brother by birth, they had different mothers, which made him much younger than Elliot Coleridge. In fact, he was only a few years older than Elliot Coleridge's eldest son, Bernard Coleridge, and remained single to this day.

"Armand, were you out gallivanting again last night and came back late?" Melissa Coleridge couldn't help but frown at the sight of him.

Armand Coleridge, despite his age, was still quite restless, often seen hanging around with women and frequently not returning home at night. It was common for him to be absent during family meals.

"Sister-in-law, you're wronging me. I didn't go out last night; I stayed at home the whole time, right, Lillian?" Armand Coleridge said with a sly smile, looking meaningfully at Lillian Veblene as he asked.

Lillian Veblen's entire body jolted, and her heart trembled.

What did Uncle mean by that?

Could it be that the man from last night was him?

At the thought, her face turned deathly pale, and her mind went blank, leaving her standing there like a frightened bird.

Armand Coleridge was her father-in-law's younger brother, a generation above her. If she had any relationship with him, wouldn't that be incestuous?

Thinking about this, Lillian Veblen's mind was in turmoil, her body stiffened, and her thoughts went blank.

"Lillian?!" Melissa Coleridge called out, noticing her lack of response.

Lillian Veblen seemed to have her soul leave her body, staring blankly, deeply lost in self-reproach, completely unaware that her mother-in-law was calling her and that everyone at the table was watching her.

Suddenly, someone kicked her under the table.

Lillian Veblen snapped out of her daze, "Ah?!"

She looked up in confusion, instinctively glancing towards Bernard Coleridge across the table.

The kick had come from that direction.

But when she looked over, she saw Bernard Coleridge sitting upright, calmly eating his breakfast. His handsome features were indifferent, exuding an aloof and cold demeanor.

That kick didn't seem to come from him.

Could it have been someone else?

But at the table, besides Bernard Coleridge, there were only her father-in-law, Elliot Coleridge, her mother-in-law, Melissa Coleridge, and her sister-in-law, Maggie Coleridge. Could one of them have given her a nudge?

As Lillian Veblen pondered, her mother-in-law's scolding voice rang out: "Lillian, what's wrong with you today? You seem distracted. Your uncle spoke to you, and you ignored him. I called you, and you didn't respond?"

"Mom, I'm sorry, I was just thinking about something and got distracted," Lillian Veblen apologized awkwardly.

Melissa Coleridge's face darkened, "What could you possibly be thinking about?"

"I…"

"Nelson has been away on business for half a year, hasn't he? I bet Lillian is missing her husband and feeling lonely," Armand Coleridge said with a teasing tone, his eyes gleaming with a faint, mischievous light as he smiled, trying to smooth things over.

Lillian Veblen's face froze, and Armand Coleridge's words made her even more embarrassed.

She met his gaze and saw him wink at her, his expression wicked and playful.

Lillian Veblen felt a chill run down her spine, worried about what this unpredictable and charming uncle might do in front of everyone.

She quickly lowered her head, ignoring him.

"How rude!" Her mother-in-law, who never liked her, shot her a disapproving glance.

Armand Coleridge sat down at the table, his hands in his pockets, a casual, mischievous smile on his lips. A servant brought him a bowl and chopsticks, but he didn't start eating, instead, he fixed his intense gaze on Lillian Veblen.

Feeling his hot stare, Lillian Veblen's scalp tingled.

Afraid that the others at the table might notice something, she mustered the courage to call out, "Uncle!"

As soon as she spoke, she felt a large male foot press against the top of her foot under the table.