"Mina is here. Come in quickly; it’s cold outside." Violet Zimmerman stood up, holding the baby, and as she passed Joseph Lancaster, the baby reached out his little hands towards him, saying in a sweet voice, "Granduncle, hold me..."

Violet Zimmerman casually placed the baby into Joseph Lancaster’s arms and walked over to the two of them.

At the door, Mina Drake hurriedly shuffled in, leaving her fur coat on, and quickly came to Joseph Lancaster’s side, reaching out to take the baby.

Everyone was stunned by Mina Drake’s sudden action.

Feeling embarrassed by her overreaction, Mina Drake forced a smile and said, "The baby is quite demanding, and Uncle is getting older, shouldn’t tire himself out."

Joseph Lancaster sighed quietly and reached for his teacup. Violet Zimmerman, having intended to greet them with politeness, noticed her daughter-in-law’s peculiar behavior and, although she said nothing, her cold expression said it all. She turned reluctantly back to head to the kitchen. "You all sit down; I’ll go to the kitchen to check."

Watching his mother’s visibly unhappy back, Robert Lancaster changed into slippers and came inside, casting a disapproving glance at his wife. He couldn’t say much in front of the elders, so he glanced at the slightly sleepy baby and said,

"Mina, take the baby to his nursery; it’s time for a nap."

Feeling awkward after realizing the situation, Mina Drake nodded apologetically at everyone and carried the baby to the stairs.

"Evan, why are you only coming by now? Just got up?" Evander Lancaster proactively asked as Robert Lancaster nodded to Sophia Hamilton as a greeting, before speaking to his brother, "Mm, I had to work overtime last night."

After saying that, a man in his thirties actually sat on the armrest of Joseph Lancaster’s sofa, which was even more shocking as he placed a large hand on Joseph’s shoulder. The uncle and nephew were like peers.

Only Joseph Lancaster knew the meaning behind Robert Lancaster sitting beside him—the hand on his shoulder tightened slightly, a wordless comfort.

Joseph Lancaster leaned forward to put down his teacup, and his gloomy mood seemed to lighten considerably.

Over thirty years, he had gotten used to cold glares, but when displayed so clearly by those close to him, it inevitably felt uncomfortable.

"Overtime? Trying for a second child with my sister-in-law?" Evander Lancaster raised his eyebrow, jokingly, and immediately felt a pinch on his waist, courtesy of Sophia Hamilton.

Evander Lancaster didn’t mind, grabbing Sophia Hamilton’s hand and holding it in his own, looking at the harmonious scene of the uncle and nephew across the way, his eyes holding a subtle smile.

"You rascal, what are you babbling about?" Robert Lancaster chuckled and gave a playful rebuke before standing up. "I’ll go up and have a look, Uncle, Aunt, you two talk."

Saying that, he also headed to the stairs.

Evander Lancaster leaned forward, picked up an orange, and while slowly peeling it, he said, "Uncle, it seems like big brother is quite close to you."

Joseph Lancaster leaned back into the sofa, his hands placed on the armrests on either side, with an expression somewhere between a smile and derision.

"Robert is a child who knows gratitude and repays kindness. He knows I offended quite a few people to preserve his older brother’s company, unlike some who are always filled with hostility towards me."

"Uncle, does that ’some people’ include me?" Evander Lancaster gave the peeled orange to Sophia Hamilton, his eyes mirroring the expression of the man across him—a wry smile indistinguishable from Joseph Lancaster’s. If not for the large age difference, anyone unaware would think they were brothers. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Sophia Hamilton took the orange, bewildered by the unspoken exchanges between the uncle and nephew, glancing back and forth.

She felt that their conversation was subtly expressing something, but she wasn’t sure precisely what it was.