NovelEnglish
Chapter 1005
Arissa smiled at Darius and greeted him somewhat apologetically, “Dad! Sorry, we're a
little late.”
“Not at all! You're just in time. Come. Let me introduce you to the big Graham family!”
Darius chuckled and pulled her away from Benjamin.
Then, he eagerly introduced the crowd of relatives behind him to Arissa.
“This is Benjamin's eldest brother, Bryan Graham, and his wife, Susanna.”
Arissa greeted them courteously, “Nice to meet you, Bryan, Susanna!”
“The pleasure is ours, Issa!”
The couple nodded and smiled at her. Susanna stuffed a thick envelope into Arissa's hand
and added, “This is a small token from us to welcome you into the family, Issa!”
“Oh, uhm!” Arissa looked to Benjamin for help.
He remained stoically silent.
Susanna glanced at Benjamin's expression and insisted, “Please accept the gift. Don't
worry about it!”
It was not as if Arissa had a choice since Susanna forcefully placed the monetary gift in
her hand.
Benjamin continued to sport a wooden expression.
Meanwhile, Darius appeared to be pleased by Bryan and his wife's warm welcome. He
moved on to introducing the couple's child to Arissa. “This here is Bryan and Susanna's
son.”
“Hello, Uncle Benjamin and Aunt Arissa!” Arissa found herself greeted enthusiastically by
a man who stood beside Bryan and Susanna and looked older than her.
“Hello!” Arissa smiled at her nephew while fretting over her lack of foresight to prepare
gifts for the night.
Benjamin guessed her thoughts and leaned into her, advising, “Don't sweat about it. Just
impress them with what you've got!”
She cast him a sidelong glance in response.
There were more relatives for Darius to introduce. “Issa, meet Benjamin's second eldest
brother, Nick, his wife, and his son.”
“Great to see you, Issa!” Nick Graham welcomed her with a broad smile.
This was Arissa's first time meeting him, and she instinctively took him as a smiling, sly
fox. Yes, pretty sure I got that right.
She concealed her thoughts perfectly and returned Nick's smile. “Hello, Nick!”
Despite knowing they were far from loving brothers to Benjamin, Arissa was shrewd
enough to spare them friendly smiles in public. After all, Darius had made the effort to
personally introduce her to the Graham family.
“Welcome to the family! This is my monetary gift to you. Don't lose it!”
Nick took a cash-filled envelope from his wife and handed it to Arissa.
“You're too kind, Nick! Thank you.”
“You're very welcome!” As he spoke, Nick shot Benjamin a furtive glance.
He was met with his younger brother's inscrutable gaze.
Nick's expression stiffened, though he quickly composed himself and commented, “I'm
impressed, Benjamin! You brought home a wife and so many kids in tow. Dad is
overjoyed!”
Benjamin harrumphed lightly and retorted, “That's because luck is on our side!”
Nick froze and discreetly examined Benjamin's expression. He laughed and asked,
“Whatever do you mean, Benjamin?”
Their father stared at them, blissfully ignorant of the events of last night. Benjamin had
made sure the news did not make its way to Darius, worried it would keep the old man up
the entire night with anxiety.
Having decided to keep his father in the dark, Benjamin replied cryptically to Nick, “You
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmmust know better!”
Darius cautioned the two brothers, “What are the two of you discussing so seriously?
Today's supposed to be a joyous occasion.”
Then, he turned away and continued parading Arissa around the numerous Graham
relatives. She did not expect herself to remember everyone's names after a single
meeting and dutifully greeted them based on her father-in-law's introductions.
She had amassed an impressive stack of cash-filled envelopes, and Benjamin was happy
to hold them for her.
After Arissa had been properly introduced, it was time for her six children to make the
rounds.
“They're Benjamin's kids. Look out for them if you can. Don't let anyone pick on them!”
Everyone acknowledged Darius' wishes immediately. “Yes!”
Friends and family alike then busied themselves handing presents and monetary gifts to
the children, who celebrated their windfall.
Tim was initially hesitant about accepting the gifts and only kept them after spotting an
encouraging nod from Arissa.
“The children are adorable!” They had clearly won over everyone's hearts.
Shaun and Jonathan were also in attendance and helped Kingsley to hold onto the
children's presents.
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