Apocalypse: Reborn with a Soul Sync Farming Space System-Chapter 126 Family Dinner (2)

The room went silent at once. Even the faint clinking of cutlery stopped.

Laurel remained seated, her posture straight, her lips parted in confused hesitation. "I greeted Grandpa and Grandma when I came."

"You should greet everyone one after the other," the woman replied without hesitation. "That is basic respect."

Laurel looked at her calmly, her soft features hardening a little. "Really?" Her tone carried an undertone of sarcasm.

Tension rippled through the room.

The woman’s expression darkened slightly. "Not only did you keep us waiting for a long time, but you have the audacity to walk inside the room and select who you give respect to?" She turned to the other members of the family. "Is this how you teach your daughter-in-law? No wonder she believes she gets to make all the decisions inside this fortress."

"I came here the moment I was told you requested me to join dinner... and I’m very busy to be invited at the very last minute. This is something that should be done days before. And I didn’t select anyone to respect."

"So, this is now our fault?" the woman pressed, her gaze hard. "Or must we remind you of your duties as a wife?"

Alexander shifted slightly in his seat but did not speak. His silence hung in the air just as clearly as the accusation.

Felicia lowered her eyes, though the faint satisfaction in her expression did not disappear. Vera watched openly, almost curiously, as if studying how Laurel would respond.

Laurel rested her hands lightly on the table, her fingers relaxed. "Duty as a wife..." She drawled. "Why don’t you enlighten me?"

The woman’s lips tightened. "Your tone is inappropriate."

Tina suddenly looked up from her chocolate, her eyes wide. "Why are you shouting at Auntie Laurel?"

Her small voice cut through the tension with innocent confusion.

For a brief second, no one responded.

Grandma Wayne cleared her throat gently, the sound soft but firm. "Enough. We are here to eat."

The stern woman leaned back slowly, though her eyes never left Laurel.

Laurel met her gaze without flinching.

Servants resumed moving around the table, though their movements were quieter now. Soup was served, and everyone began to eat.

Laurel picked up her utensils calmly, her expression unchanged, but she understood now with complete clarity that this dinner was not about food.

Her gaze drifted to her side where Alexander was sitting, he had remained quiet all this while, she thought he was still sour about the slap.

Alexander’s gaze met hers for a brief second before she averted her gaze returning to the food served in front of her.

"You returned my gift," Alexander said in a low voice.

’Yeah, he is still sour.’ Laurel thought inwardly.

"Yes, I did," Laurel replied calmly, her voice soft.

Alexander let out a deep sigh. "Are you trying to say I can’t give you any gift? You won’t accept them from me?"

"Mr. Wayne, we are eating right now, we can have that conversation after we are done," Laurel said, focusing more on the food on her plate.

Alexander parted his lips to speak but decided to keep quiet, his fingers clenched around the knife and fork in his hands.

Meanwhile, the whole family was glancing at them now and then.

Tina stood up from her seat and ran around the table stopping beside Laurel.

"Aunty Laurel, can I sit with you?" She asked with a cute smile.

"Of course you can," Laurel replied, matching her sweet energy.

At her words, the servants quickly moved Tina’s seat next to Laurel.

After Tina had sat down, she popped one hand on the table glancing at the family before turning to face Laurel.

"Aunty Laurel, is it true you are a bad person? Though I personally don’t think so." She said with those wide-round eyes. Blinking at Laurel in a way that made it impossible not to pinch her cheeks.

Laurel was stunned by the question but she maintained her expression. The other members shifted in their seats as if the chair was on fire.

"What do you mean Tina?" Laurel asked, placing a slice of chocolate cake on her plate.

"We are having dinner, this is not some marketplace." The stern woman said sharply, her words slicing through the air.

Tina bit her lips as she stared at the stern woman. She gestured for Laurel to come closer. Laurel hesitated for a moment before leaning closer to her.

Tina leaned closer to Laurel’s ear. "You know I like you very much, you are one of my favourite people in this family, and you are the only one who gave me a dagger to play with. I think you are cool and kind..."

She paused glancing at the others who were now glaring at her, but Tina ignored them, returning her lips close to Laurel’s ear.

"I don’t know why, but sadly my family thinks you are a bad person because you sent Aunty Jade away, and locked Aunty Vera and Aunty Felicia away.

Aunty Vera and Aunty Felicia are very mad because they were refused to enter our house. I’m just telling you so you know they are not really nice to you... and especially that aunty Margaret... the one that looks like a bear..."

Laurel bit her inner cheeks to stop herself from laughing. She glanced at the stern woman... and she could clearly see the resemblance to an angry bear.

"...she doesn’t like you at all. I know you are cool and can definitely handle yourself, but I thought giving you a head up is fine." Tina said with a small smile.

Laurel turned around lowering her head to whisper back in her ear. "Thank you very much for the heads up Tina, you are my favourite person in this family. You may ask for any reward and I will give it to you."

Tina’s eyes widened when she heard the reward. She quickly brought her lips closer to Laurel’s ear. "Anything?"

Laurel nodded.

"I’d love a mountain of chocolates and deserts... but my only desire is to be your little spy... just like in the movies... and then I’ll advance to be your little next in command. But before then, I know I have to work hard for it. That is my request."