Following Asher's threat, Aria behaved herself for a couple of days.
Meanwhile, Asher was warmly received in the Snow family, the sunny and handsome Asher displaying a gentle demeanor to all.
It was a stark contrast to the Asher who had intimidated her; if not for the vivid memory of that threat, she might have dismissed it all as a nightmare.
Melanie, too, stopped venturing out, instead choosing to stay at home and keep Asher company.
Aria found herself witnessing their togetherness almost daily, and as time wore on, she struggled to suppress the jealousy and resentment simmering within her.
Furthermore, with Melanie around, Aria couldn't sneakily visit Leonard's study upstairs. Quietly communicating with Ethan, she decided to advance their second plan.
That evening, as they gathered around the dining table for a meal, Melanie sat beside Asher, who attentively helped her with her food, exuding thoughtfulness.
Aria observed this scene with envy, then turned to Leonard. "Uncle, there's something I'd like to discuss with you." Leonard nodded, surprised that Aria was making a request.
Since Asher's arrival at the Snow family, Aria had been unusually quiet. Vivienne paused her action of serving dishes for a brief moment before continuing as usual.
Melanie’s gaze lowered, her eyes brimming with caution during that split second. Even Asher’s eyes flashed with a hint of darkness. At the dinner table, each member reacted differently to Aria's words, emotions ranging from curiosity to suspicion.
Oblivious to these reactions, Aria hesitantly began, "Uncle, it's like this... I've... I've got a boyfriend, and since I've been staying with you and Auntie for a while, he wants to meet you both... Would that be convenient?"
Leonard was taken aback, realizing Aria had a boyfriend. He instinctively glanced at his daughter, thinking it was natural for her to have a partner in college. Then his gaze shifted to Asher... Well, he wasn’t too bad-looking!
Unaware of Leonard's thoughts, Aria repeated, "Uncle?" when he didn't respond immediately.
Leonard refocused. "Of course, I wish to see him too. Aria's boyfriend must be outstanding!" he praised, sight unseen.
Melanie cleared her throat, dissatisfaction clear in her eyes as she glared at Leonard.
Asher had been here for days without receiving such compliments! He was clearly an exceptional individual! As for Aria's boyfriend—Ethan? Melanie snickered inwardly.
Melanie drawled, "You haven't even met him and you're calling him outstanding?"
Leonard was momentarily speechless. Was he supposed to criticize Aria's boyfriend in front of her?
Vivienne chuckled, offering Leonard an out. "Melanie means you should praise her boyfriend too."
She found Asher's excellence rare and believed he had great potential for achievement.
More importantly, he showed genuine interest in their daughter, and she understood why he hadn't confessed his feelings yet.
Young people were often proud; Asher, currently without means, likely wanted to establish himself before confessing to their daughter.
Leonard was startled. "Her boyfriend?? They haven't defined their relationship yet!"
Vivienne arched an eyebrow, challenging any protest he might have. Leonard glanced at Asher, alarm bells ringing in his head.
In just a few days, Vivienne has, in effect, acknowledged her as her daughter's boyfriend. Was he now considered family?
