508: Our best wasn't enough

Our best wasn't enough

"Thank you, Silas. I'm sorry if we had misunderstandings in the past. I know this is a bit late, but I hope we can start on a clean slate as well."0

Silas didn't need to lean forward and turn his head to see the kind smile plastered on Heaven's face. The person sitting beside her was small and there weren't any people sitting in the vacant seats before his spot. 

'How strange,'he thought, assessing Heaven's countenance. 'She really did say sorry.'

Silas had a glimpse of how crazy this woman was. He knew she was sick in the head when she brought Mercy to the north wing, where the latter chased after him. But then, an incident happened that made most of them stay in the hospital. But when everyone returned from the hospital, Heaven would stay in the north wing with Mercy. 

Heaven would let Mercy run around the garden and sometimes inside the north wing. She said it was because she took a liking to the north wing, but Silas knew for sure it was her way to keep him locked inside his room. It was the reason Silas moved out on top of other business reasons. But now, this same woman was apologizing and suggesting they forgive each other.

A slight doubt rose in Silas's heart, but at the same time, he didn't rule out the possibility she was being sincere. She looked sincere, after all. Moreover, Miracle's existence maybe changed her psychotic mother.

"Of course." After a quick contemplation, Silas returned Heaven's smile with a wide smile. "We are family, after all. It's normal to have misunderstanding and banter, but at the end of the day, we only got each other's back."

Relief instantly swirled in her eyes, which Silas didn't miss. Lionel and Ria were also relieved to hear Silas's remarks, nodding approvingly at each other. Grandma Zhu, on the other hand, grumpily let out a huff. However, she didn't interrupt anything, as this was good for the family. It was the same for Axel, despite that he wanted to harass Silas to get back at him.

"Uncle Silas, thank you for the gifts again." This time, Sebastian faced his uncle and smiled warmly. "I thought they were for Miracle, but I'm surprised there are gifts for me as well."

"I noticed that you liked sci-fi books, so I bought some of the books I liked."

"I will read them all once I finish the one I am currently reading."

"Take your time. No rush." Silas winked. "I bought tons of books, so read them when you feel like it. I just thought you would like them better instead of toys."

"I didn't know Uncle would notice." Sebastian's lips stretched, making Axel frown deeply.

'Why is he smiling at him like that? Didn't he say he disliked him? Or was that a lie?'Axel narrowed his eyes suspiciously at Sebastian. 'He doesn't smile like that unless it was his mother.'

Axel would feel threatened by Silas for fighting him over the title of being the favorite uncle. However, he didn't feel the slightest envy that Sebastian, the beloved little ancestor, was smiling and conversing with Silas. If anything, it alarmed him. 

'If Basti is smiling like that to me and is talking to me like I am a human being, it'll scare me to death,'thought Axel, mentally shaking his head. 'Just what is this little ancestor planning?'

It couldn't be that Sebastian changed, right? Just yesterday, he almost gave his uncle a heart attack as he roasted him from head to toe. Axel frowned deeply as he darted his eyes between Sebastian and Silas. The latter caught Axel's grim expression and mistook it as Axel being envious. Thus, the deceptive satisfaction in Silas's heart. 

The dinner continued in harmony with Dominic and Heaven conversing with their parents and Grandma Zhu. The couple would drag Silas into the conversation from time to time, and Silas would happily indulge with them while imparting his wisdom. Sometimes, Sebastian would butt in, and all of them would listen to the little master to let him know he was being heard. 

It was a healthy environment. Probably the most peaceful dinner they had for a long time with Silas's presence.

"Silas, how was your company doing?" Dominic inquired as they were near the end of the dinner. "'I've been busy, so I haven't had time to check on your welfare."

"It's doing good, fortunately." Silas smacked his lips as he hummed. "I heard many things about the Lyon Group, though."

"Many things happened since the incident." Dominic shrugged, pausing to cut the small piece of steak on his plate to look at his cousin. "I had to cut ties with many people and keep my circle small. So far, I still think it's the best decision I made."

"Ohh..."

"You should be careful, Silas." Silas's brows rose at Dominic's warning. "You are still a part of the Zhu family. I'm saying people might approach you with bad intentions while wearing a friendly smile. Watch out for them and learn from my mistakes."

"Haha." Silas let out a short, airy chuckle. "Don't worry, I know how the game works, but thank you. I'll keep that in mind."

"Alright." Just then, Grandma Zhu clapped to get everyone's attention. "I'll visit my dearest little Miracle tomorrow. I'll resign to bed early since I can no longer stay up like you young ones."

Grandma Zhu raised her hand while the other reached for her cane that was propped right beside her. Butler Fu immediately rushed to her side, assisting the old madam to stand up. When she saw everyone was about to stand, she waved dismissively.

"There's no need for you to stand. Finish your food," she said before facing Butler Fu. The two of them walked away from the dinner hall, leaving everyone to finish their food. 

"It's also getting late." As Grandma Zhu was being assisted by Butler Fu, Ria also smiled at everyone. "Your father still has therapy early in the morning tomorrow, so we'll go ahead first."

"Wait, Mom. I'll just —"

"It's okay, Axel." Ria chuckled at Axel. "I'll bring your dad to our room."

"But…"

"You stay with your brother, Axel, and don't waste food." Lionel smiled at his son before nodding at Ria. The latter slowly rose from her seat, standing behind Lionel's wheelchair. The two of them bid everyone goodnight before Ria wheeled her husband away. 

The warm smile on their faces however disappeared the second they left the dining hall. Lionel slowly raised a hand, putting it across his shoulder to reach for his wife's hand. 

"I'm fine, dear." Ria gazed down at her husband and smiled subtly. "We can't help it."

"We did our best, so he doesn't follow in his father's footsteps." Lionel's face was grim with a vestige of sadness in his eyes. "But our best wasn't enough, so we have to let Dominic handle him now."

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