Chapter 42 

“Allie, there you are!” Brian was the first to greet her with a grin. “It’s been three years, and you’re even more stunning now.” 

Sabrina rolled her eyes. “Seriously, Brian? Could you be any cheesier?” 

Brian clicked his tongue playfully. “Cheesy? No way, this is top–tier social charm.” 

“Ugh, whatever,” Sabrina huffed, tugging Allison along. “Come on, Allie, let’s not waste time on him.” 

Olivia quietly slipped into the seat next to her brother George. “Hey, George.” 

George gave a slight nod. “Hey,” 

Allison settled in beside Joshua. “Sorry if I kept you waiting, Joshua,” 

Joshua’s voice was soft and reassuring. “No worries, we just got here.” 

He cast a glance at a nearby girl. “Aren’t you going to say hello?” 

There was a hint of displeasure in his voice. 

The girl pouted before reluctantly speaking up, “Hi, Allison.” 

Joshua’s gaze turned icy, a frown forming on his face. 

“And who’s this?” Allison tilted her head, curiosity sparkling in her eyes. 

Joshua’s tone was cool. “This is my sister, Lillian.” 

Ah, so this was Lillian, the adopted daughter of the Fisher family. Allison had heard of her but was meeting her for the first time today. 

Lillian had been living abroad for her studies and had only recently returned. 

“Allie is my fiancée, your future sister–in–law. Is that any way to greet her?” Joshua’s voice carried a chilling authority. “Who taught you to act like that?” 

“Sorry, Joshua,” Lillian quickly apologized. 

“And who should you really be apologizing to?” Joshua’s eyes narrowed, and the air seemed to grow colder. 

“I’m sorry, Allison,” Lillian turned to Allison, sounding more sincere. 

“It’s fine, it’s fine. We’re all family here, no need for all that.” Allison waved it off, though a hint of awkwardness flitted across her face. 

Why did their first meeting have to be so tense? They’d be family soon enough. 

Her gentle eyes met Joshua’s. “Joshua, don’t be so hard on her.” 

Almost instantly, the coldness in Joshua’s eyes melted away. 

He offered Allison a gentle smile. “Alright.” 

Lillian observed the exchange, her fists clenched tightly under the table. 

“Lillian, what’s with the sour face?” Sabrina commented with mock concern. “Need me to call a doctor?” 

Lillian composed herself, her voice cold. “I’m alright.” 

Sabrina rolled her eyes and muttered, “What a drama queen.” 

Even though Sabrina hadn’t interacted with Lillian much before, she had a gut feeling Lillian wasn’t to be taken lightly. 

Lillian’s animosity towards Allison was apparent. 

17.54 

Chapter 42 

Sabrina’s whispers were quiet, but Brian, sitting right next to her, caught every word. 

He pinched her arm gently. “Come on, give her a break. Lillian is Joshua’s sister, after all.” 

Sabrina winced and shot Brian a fierce look, her fingers pinching his arm in retaliation. 

“Pinch me again,” Sabrina growled, eyes blazing. 

Brian yelped, “Okay, okay, my bad! Let go, you’re hurting me!” 

Just then, the door swung open. “Sorry I’m late, got stuck in traffic.”