Chapter 106: Roman get married
"Where is Roman first? Is it the weekend, or has he started sleeping in the company?" Denovan said, deliberately mimicking Azazel’s playful tone, his voice light but laced with an undertone of curiosity.
The imitation was so spot-on that Azazel, who was just stepping into the room, froze mid-step, utterly speechless.
His mouth opened to retort but no words came out. He simply stared at his grandfather in disbelief.
Lisa, however, didn’t share their banter. Her expression shifted, the faint smile tugging her lips a moment ago replaced by a subtle, yet firm seriousness.
Her gaze, though calm, carried a weight that immediately drew Denovan’s attention.
"No, he isn’t sleeping in the company," Lisa replied quietly, her voice smooth but clipped, like she was walking a line between casual and cautious.
Denovan’s brow furrowed. He caught the change in her tone. His eyes, sharp even with age, settled on her face, searching.
He tilted his chin upward slightly, giving her a knowing look—the kind only shared between two people who had navigated life’s storms together.
His silent question hung in the air: What is it you’re not saying?
Azazel, standing at the side, observed the exchange.
The tension was subtle, yet to him, it felt palpable, like the faint crackle in the air before a storm. His mischievous curiosity faded as instinct urged him to back away.
Without a word, he retreated, his steps soft, almost cat-like, as he slipped away unnoticed.
"Huff..." Azazel exhaled a breath as soon as he rounded the corner. His hand slipped into his pocket, fingers fumbling for his phone.
"I have to inform them beforehand..." he mumbled under his breath, already knowing that whatever conversation was brewing back there was going to send ripples through the entire household.
Back in the dining room, the sunlight streamed through the half-open blinds, casting soft stripes of gold across the polished mahogany table.
The air, moments ago filled with playful energy, now held a different weight—like the walls themselves were holding their breath.
Lisa folded her hands neatly on the table, her fingers lightly tapping against the surface as if gathering her thoughts.
Her gaze met Denovan’s and for a long, measured moment, she said nothing.
Then, with the kind of calm that only years of experience could forge, she spoke.
"Roman got married," Lisa announced, her words falling like a sudden stone into a still pond, sending quiet ripples across the room.
Denovan’s eyes widened. His body leaned slightly forward, his weathered hands pressing into the armrests of his chair.
His lips parted, but the only word that escaped was a stunned, disbelieving whisper.
"What?"
Lisa nodded, her expression softening slightly, but her eyes remained serious.
She watched as Denovan processed the news, the initial shock flickering across his features before settling into an unreadable stillness.
The room was quiet, yet alive with unspoken thoughts. Outside, a bird chirped innocently, oblivious to the quiet bombshell that had just been dropped within these walls.
---
"Yes, he got married. I also recently found out, so don’t you dare blame me for not informing you," Lisa said, folding her arms as she gave Denovan a firm look, though her tone carried an edge of defense.
It was true—she had only recently uncovered the truth, but it wasn’t so recent that she couldn’t have told him earlier.
Yet, she wasn’t going to admit that. She knew her husband far too well.
Denovan was the type to make a mountain out of a molehill if he thought she was hiding anything.
Denovan leaned back in his chair, his sharp eyes narrowing as his brow arched.
"Hmm... and who’s the girl, then? From which family? Do I know her parents? Is she a family friend?" He paused, a thoughtful glint in his eye as the corners of his mouth twitched upwards.
"Wait, is that why he always claimed to hate women? Hah! And all this time, he paraded around like a self-proclaimed woman-hater?"
Lisa sighed, shaking her head with a knowing smile.
"No, she’s his choice. Me and you, we don’t know her family. But... I think she’s one of the Jenkins. That’s what my investigator mentioned," she replied, watching Denovan closely.
Denovan hummed, stroking his chin as his mind worked through the information. His eyes glimmered with curiosity.
"The Jenkins, you say? Although I haven’t been in the city much lately, I’ve heard whispers that the Jenkins’ company is collapsing."
Lisa nodded, her face composed but her eyes reflecting the weight of what she was about to confirm.
"Yes. And I would bet that’s Roman’s doing. Quiet but precise."
Denovan’s brows rose higher, a mischievous grin curling his lips.
"A son-in-law trying to crush his in-laws’ empire? Now, that’s interesting. But what did they do to earn his wrath?"
Lisa shrugged lightly, her fingers drumming against the table.
"I don’t know the entire story. You should ask him yourself. You two get along far better than I ever could with him. He listens to you."
Denovan chuckled. "Hmm, so it seems you like the girl.
You’re not complaining about her, which is rare for you when it comes to Roman’s choices." His teasing was light, but his gaze was searching.
Lisa’s lips softened into a smile. "Yes. She’s a good girl, Denovan. Sweet, kind-hearted. She’s just... pitiful sometimes. "
"Especially when that scandal started spreading online. Roman had to defend her at her college—publicly."
Denovan’s eyes twinkled with amusement as he listened.
He could see the warmth in Lisa’s expression when she spoke about the girl.
"They were beautiful together. I could see it in Roman’s eyes. He’s made his choice, and for once, it’s the right one." Lisa’s voice softened, touched with a quiet pride.
Denovan sat back, folding his arms as a wide grin split across his face. "Well, it seems I have a lot to catch up on. Come on, spill the beans, love. I can’t hold on any longer!" he said, his tone light but eager.
Lisa laughed, her eyes crinkling as she began recounting everything—the scandal, Roman’s protective instincts, the girl’s gentle demeanor, and the quiet battles Roman had been fighting behind the scenes.
Denovan listened intently, his expression shifting from amusement to admiration as the story unfolded.
"So... you’re telling me that my little man has finally become a big man—with a wife, responsibilities, and all that grown-up nonsense, huh? That’s nice. Very nice," Denovan said with a satisfied nod.
But as he glanced at Lisa, he noticed a flicker in her eyes. A small crease appeared between her brows, barely noticeable to anyone else, but not to him.
His smile faded into a knowing smirk. "What’s bothering you, love?" he asked, his voice gentler now, laced with concern.
Lisa tried to deflect, waving him off with a playful swat. "Who said something’s bothering me? You should go and take a bath first."
Denovan leaned forward, his gaze unwavering. "We grew up together, Lisa. We raised our children side by side. We’re now raising our grandchildren."
" And here you are, asking me who told me something’s wrong?" He scoffed softly, a half-smile tugging his lips.
"I don’t need anyone to tell me. I can see it. It’s just the two of us here. So, come on, out with it."
Lisa’s shoulders relaxed as she sighed, her lips curving into a small, resigned smile.
"Well... I want to introduce them to the family. Properly. And if possible, I want to throw a banquet for them. Julie deserves a wedding, Denovan. She deserves to be celebrated."
Denovan’s smile returned, warmer and deeper this time. He reached across the table, resting his hand gently over hers.
"That’s all, my little old woman? Hah. Indeed, that girl must have cast a spell on you—or maybe she’s simply as kind as you say. Since you’ve said it, we shall see for ourselves soon."
"I was thinking of throwing a grand birthday party for myself," Lisa said, her eyes gleaming as she paced around the dining room, mentally arranging every detail.
"You know how it is—when it’s my party, the entire family will gather. That will be the perfect time to introduce her."
Denovan chuckled, shaking his head fondly as he watched her. "As expected of my beautiful wife, always planning ten steps ahead."
Lisa’s lips curved into a satisfied smile. "Of course." She moved towards him, gently tugging at his sleeve.
"Now, stop stalling and go take a bath. You’re not about to hear the rest of my plans smelling like travel dust."
Denovan laughed heartily as Lisa grabbed his arm, pulling him from the dining table with surprising strength for her petite frame.
"Alright, alright! No need to drag me like a child," he said, allowing himself to be led upstairs.
Meanwhile, in the living room, Azazel was flipping over cushions like a man on a mission.
His brows were furrowed in frustration, his lips muttering curses under his breath.
"Where did I throw that stupid phone yesterday?" he grumbled, tossing a cushion onto the floor and reaching for another.
His fingers brushed against something hard beneath the last cushion. "Huff... thank God," he exhaled, pulling the phone out triumphantly.
He stood up and dusted himself off, his expression brightening with a mischievous grin. "Now, come on, let’s go."
With quick strides, Azazel made his way out of the house.
The sun was dipping low, casting a warm orange hue over the mansion’s courtyard.
The valet had already parked his car near the entrance, its sleek black frame gleaming under the evening light.
Azazel slid into the driver’s seat, the leather interior creaking slightly beneath him.
Just as he was about to start the engine, his phone rang, vibrating insistently against the dashboard.
"Ring, ring," it echoed in the confined space. He glanced at the caller ID, a smirk forming on his lips as he answered.
Inside a dimly lit bedroom, Roman lay on his side, his arm draped protectively around Julie’s sleeping form.
Her breathing was soft and even, her face serene against the pillow. Roman’s voice was a low whisper, careful not to wake her.
"You always call at the worst possible times, Azazel," he murmured, his thumb gently stroking Julie’s arm.
On the other end, Azazel rolled his eyes dramatically as he reclined in his seat.
"Yeah, yeah, I know you’re wrapped up in my sister’s arms right now, but you need to hear this, Roman. It’s important."