Chapter 24 Can't Explain Himself
Ernest was easygoing and the most talkative.
After seeing his cousin work like a porter, he did his best to curry favor with Teresa. He was convinced that he could depend on her in the future.
With their son, Leila and Patrick arrived a little later than the Donovans.
His wife scratched a luxury car, but the car owner only asked for $1,500 as compensation because Hubert and the car owner knew each other. From this matter alone, Patrick knew that he shouldn't underestimate his unmet brother-in-law.
He hadn't taken the meeting between the two families seriously. When he met Hubert, however, he was impressed by the latter's temperament. This man was even more imposing and intimidating than him, who was the CEO of a company.
"Mr. Donovan."
Patrick beamed and reached out his right hand, "Nice to meet you, I'm Patrick, Teresa's brother-in-law."
Hubert shook hands with him and responded blandly, "Nice to meet you."
He then greeted Leila.
Leila looked at the dashing man and felt quite satisfied, although he seemed to be statelier than in the picture and taciturn.
"Andy, meet your uncle."
Leila taught her son to greet Hubert.
Andy looked like a little bear. He had his mother's eyes. They were bright and swiveling. He was very cute and lovable.
Hubert couldn't help but ask, "Leila, can I hug him?"
Leila smiled, "Sure."
She handed Andy to her sister. Teresa took her nephew and passed him on to Hubert.
Leila's action impressed Hubert. His sister-in-law was scrupulous and cultured enough to avoid physical contact with him. That was why she had handed her son to Teresa.
Teresa and he were married. Physical contact between them was normal.
Andy was then carried upstairs by Hubert.
The little guy couldn't talk yet but could mutter names. Most of the children were afraid of a cold person like Hubert. Ernest, for example, feared him the most. That was why he had done his best to curry favor with Teresa.
Andy, however, was not afraid at all. Instead, he called Hubert uncle in a crisp voice.
The young couple welcomed Leila and her family into the house. Then the members of the Donovan family were introduced to them.
The Donovans knew that Teresa's parents had passed away. Her sister and she depended on each other to live. Using the compensation for their parents, they finished their college education. Because of that, they were quite polite and respectful to Leila.
Although Leila was now a housewife disconnected from society for years, she had been in the workplace before she got married. She could tell that the Donovan family was a cultured one and different from those countryside families.
According to Madam Donovan, their family was from the countryside. Her grandson was capable and established himself in the city. Their family later moved to the city, but she would go back to their hometown from time to time.
The Donovan Manor was built on the outskirts and far away from the bustling downtown. There were fields outside the manor, so she was not totally talking through her hat.
It was just that her countryside was gilded.
After her sister's family arrived, Teresa started to prepare lunch.
To her surprise, Hubert volunteered to help her in the kitchen.
"Mr. Donovan, you can leave the work to me and talk to them outside."
Hubert responded blandly, "In our house, my mother and others are feeling at home. They don't need me to keep them company."
"You can go and chat with Patrick."
A flicker of coldness flashed across his eyes, but he soon regained his composure. His voice was as impassive as ever. "We don't speak the same language."
Patrick was a sycophant and a thruster. Maybe he was capable, otherwise, he wouldn't have become the CEO of a small company.
Hubert didn't like to connect with the man, not only because he hated people like Patrick, but also because of Patrick's attitude toward Leila.
Andy was thirsty. There was water in the bottle, and the bottle was in front of Patrick. Instead of getting it for his son, he called Leila over.
It was their first meeting today, but at a glance, Hubert could tell that Patrick thought nothing of his wife. This man even believed that it was easy for Leila to take care of their son at home.
The culture and tradition of the Donovan family decided that Hubert hated those who didn't respect their wives.
Teresa and he had a flash marriage. They hadn't met each other until the day they went to get their marriage license. Even so, he had shown his wife the respect she deserved.
To that, Teresa smiled, "Forget it then."
"Jerry is talkative. With Jerry entertaining him, Patrick will not feel slighted."
Jerry Donovan was a pretentious man who got along with everyone. Behind his smile hid a vicious heart.
"Help me in the kitchen then."
Hubert made no further comments. He was here to help her anyway.
The young couple got busy. The seniors of both families were quite satisfied.
Leila believed that Hubert would treat her sister well.
At lunchtime, everyone tasted and praised the food cooked by Teresa.
Maybe because they had eaten too many delicacies, they somehow found the homemade dishes tasty.
It had been a lively day. The members of both families had dinner and then left one after another. Quietness was restored in the small house.
Teresa came back into the house, threw herself onto the sofa, lay down, and said to the man who followed her in, "My back is aching."
Hubert didn't say anything.
Teresa just said that casually and did not try to elicit concern. If he really said something mushy, she would find it affected.
Hubert quietly started to clean up. The house was a mess because of Andy.
After cleaning up the living room, he went into the kitchen, took the apron from the back of the door, and deftly put it on. Then he started cleaning the dishes.
"Hubert is taciturn but considerate. Teresa, have a good life with him."
Teresa watched Hubert go into the kitchen to wash the dishes and remembered what her sister had secretly told her.
Leila was quite satisfied with Hubert.
After lying down for a moment, Teresa suddenly remembered something. She jumped up from the sofa and rushed to the kitchen.
Then she saw the sink full of bubbles.
"How much detergent did you put in there?"
Teresa couldn't help but laugh.
Hubert's face was filled with embarrassment.
"I was careless to pour out half a bottle."
Hubert didn't dare to look at his wife. This was too embarrassing.
It was really a careless mistake and not that he didn't know how to wash dishes.
Although he was now the head of the Donovan family, he had received an all-around education and training since his childhood. His life skills couldn't be that bad. It was just that he hadn't done housework for a long time.
His skills were rusty, and he poured out too much detergent. The sink was full of bubbles, and he hadn't cleared them despite his repeated effort. Worse still, his wife came in and bumped into the scene.
He found it hard to explain himself.