The Ex-Wife's Triumph novel Chapter 69

Kingsley tapped his knuckles on the table and said, "Bring a bottle of red wine."

"Yes." The servant turned to fetch it.

Old Mrs. Sherwood, at the head of the table, glanced at him but said nothing.

Before long, Susan and Bacchus entered the dining room, just in time to see Kingsley holding a goblet by the stem, slowly swirling the red wine inside.

"Drinking to celebrate something?" Susan raised an eyebrow.

Kingsley looked up at her indifferently. "Does drinking have to be a celebration? Can't I just be thirsty?"

Bacchus glanced at him, his tone impatient. "If you're thirsty, just drink. Don't spout nonsense."

"Ms. Talmadge asked me something. I can't just ignore her—that would be rude."

As Kingsley spoke, he brought the glass to his lips for a sip.

"Have you lost in mind today? Shut up!" Old Mrs. Sherwood frowned and glared at him.

Susan, however, laughed, playing along. "Who dares say you're impolite? Rumor has it that Mr. Sherwood is noble and self-possessed, a gentleman with outstanding ability and striking looks."

Saying this, she signaled the servant to pour her a glass of red wine as well.

"You said yourself it's a rumor. How credible can rumors be?"

Kingsley replied faintly, raising his glass to lightly clink it against Old Mrs. Sherwood's.

Throughout the meal, almost every sentence Kingsley spoke was a jab at Susan.

Old Mrs. Sherwood remained silent the entire time, while Bacchus occasionally spoke up to scold Kingsley, trying to suppress his aggression.

"Not all arranged marriages are like theirs," Bacchus sighed softly.

"Kingsley, I don't expect you to treat Mom well, but don't always be at her throat. She... is also a victim of this marriage."

Kingsley drained the remaining water in the bottle, his fingers tightening slightly around the empty plastic. "I'm not treating her well enough? I've paid every last bill she's had for years!"

Bacchus looked up at the night sky, helplessness hidden in his eyes.

He knew better than anyone how unqualified Susan was as a mother. The maternal love Kingsley had missed out on since childhood could never be made up for in this lifetime.

He could only advise softly, "If you can't get along, then speak less."

"I can stay silent." Kingsley paused, his tone holding a hint of compromise but also a bottom line. "Provided she doesn't come looking to talk to me."