Frankly, the entire Stone family's attitude towards Lambert and Ariana had changed completely. Even the Uncles couldn't understand it.
It seemed that since Old Mr. Stone began acting differently, they too started following his lead.
By the time they gathered their thoughts, they still couldn't comprehend the situation.
They were unsure of the game Old Mr. Stone was playing.
Why was he treating Lambert, who was not of the Stone family's bloodline, so well? This was a stark change from before. Could it be that Old Mr. Stone really wanted a great-grandson...? Was this a hint for both families? Holding onto these doubts, the Uncles returned to their previous seats with their gazes lingering in the dark uncertainty.
Meanwhile, upstairs...
Upon hearing that Lambert and Ariana had arrived, Old Mr. Stone and Old Mrs. Stone instructed the helpers to start the feast.
They then leisurely descended the stairs.
Upon their arrival, the younger generation of the Stone family lowered their heads and greeted Old Mr. Stone and Old Mrs. Stone.
Old Mrs. Stone waved at them and smiled, saying, "What time is it now? There is no need for such formalities. Alright. Everyone, take your seats." After saying this, she gently sat in her own seat and beckoned Ariana, who was sitting far away, and said, "Ariana, come over here and let me have a look at you."
So, under everyone's gaze, Ariana slowly got up and walked toward Old Mrs. Stone.
Old Mrs. Stone smiled at Ariana and her growing belly, her eyes filled with gentle amusement. She asked softly, "How has the baby been lately? Is it moving a lot?"
Ariana looked somewhat helpless as she replied, "Grandma, the baby is only five months along."
Upon hearing this, Old Mrs. Stone chuckled and said, "Five months is quite big, the baby should be moving a little by now. How is the baby? Is it active?"
Ariana glanced at Old Mrs. Stone silently, thought for a moment, and then said with a hum, "It's alright. The baby is just a bit lazy."
The old woman commented, "Hmm, it feels almost like when I was pregnant with Lambert."
Lambert & Ariana: "......"
Everyone else: "......"
Ariana really didn't know what to say. She suddenly felt like laughing, thinking that if others didn't know better, they would think the old woman had given birth to Lambert.
The subtle inquiries ended.
Old Mr. Stone glanced at Ariana and said lightly, "Alright, no need to stand. Go back and sit down." Though his expression was nonchalant, his tone was gentle. You could tell he was in a good mood.
So Ariana smiled, nodded, and slowly returned to her seat.
On the right of Old Mrs. Stone, Aunt Khloe wasn't feeling too good about this. Smiling, she said to Old Mrs. Stone, "Mom, if you want to chat with Ariana more, let her sit here." Her words were seemingly cursory, but her frustration was evident. She knew well that the old couple's fondness for what was in Ariana's belly was simply their way of expressing dissatisfaction with the eldest son's family.
So, the more attention the old woman showered on Ariana, the more Aunt Khloe took it as mockery.
She couldn't help feeling a bit upset.
Unexpectedly, the old woman's eyes sparkled at this suggestion. "That's a good idea," she voiced. Looking at Ariana approvingly, she said, "Since your aunt suggested it, you should switch seats."
After Old Mr. Stone laid down his ruling, Old Mrs. Stone stopped insisting. It seemed like she, too, worried that the constant moving might affect Ariana.
Very considerately, Ariana smiled at Old Mrs. Stone and said, "Grandma, I'll sit with you later. Grandpa is right, I'm too heavy to move around again and again, it would not be convenient."
At this point, Khloe finally exhaled in relief. However, her eyes flashed with a strong sense of suppressed humiliation.
With that, the previous atmosphere at the dining table was finally restored.
The tense grip of the eldest uncle also relaxed. He glanced subtly at his wife and then turned his head to give Old Mr. Stone a nod and a smile, uttering a blessing.
Khloe felt incredibly uneasy by her husband's cold look.
She knew that her husband was blaming her for her recklessness just now.
Beverly who was sitting next to Jolene sneered disdainfully, thinking that her mother-in-law was indeed silly for making such remarks in front of everyone. Little did she know that all of this started because of her.
The dining table returned to its previous cheerful atmosphere.
The elders began to chat, trying to please Old Mr. Stone and Old Mrs. Stone sitting at the head of the table.
As for the younger generation, like Lambert and his peers, they just watched, waiting to speak after the elders. During this time, Lambert squinted at Ariana. He was sitting opposite to Ariana. Lambert deliberately looked at the soup in front of Ariana, leaving her clueless.
Lambert mouthed: Be good, remember to finish it.
Ariana was left speechless: "......"

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