章 53: Unsettled.

Ambrose cleared his throat, adjusting his tie as he looked over the table. "Anyways, Leone, Leonora, your grandfather's surgery was successful."

Evelina froze, her fork midway to her mouth. The chairman of Hargraves & Co.? she thought, her mind reeling.

Leone and Camille, who'd been unusually quiet up until then, both seemed to brighten at the news. Without skipping a beat, they spoke in perfect unison, "That's great to hear."

They paused, glancing at one another, before looking away at the same time. It was an awkward moment, as if an invisible tension had thickened the air between them. Evelina, who had been quietly eating, noticed the exchange. I didn't take note of this before... why didn't I notice... Leone has a bad relationship with his mom, she thought, chewing thoughtfully.

To break the awkwardness, Leonora, ever the cheerful one, piped up, "That's great news! Dad, when will he be back?"