Although ire suspected that the idea came from Dad, she couldn’t shake her disappointment.


    Charlie quickly inquired, “Dear, where are you headingter?”


    ire replied, “I’m going to meet some of Mom’s friends and check out the beauty salons they frequently visit for facials and spa treatments.”


    Jacob chimed in, “Oh, ire, I won’t be going anywhere today. I’ve invited my friend over for dinner tonight. She wants to cook for us, so I need to gather the ingredients and tidy up the house.”


    ire questioned skeptically, “Dad, didn’t you just have lunch with your friend? Why the need to see her again tonight?”<h3 style="background-color:DodgerBlue">


    Jacob cleared his throat and exined, “Lunch is just that—lunch. We ate at a restaurant. They traveled all the way from the States, and it’s only polite to invite them over for a home-cooked meal. It’s a decent way to show hospitality!”


    ire eximed in frustration, “Dad, even if you want to entertain your friend, can’t you consider the circumstances? Mom is missing! How can you think about having a dinner party? Why not wait until Mom is home before making these ns? She is also your ssmate; wouldn’t it be better for the three of you to catch up together?”


    ‘Better my ass!’ Jacob thought to himself, ‘It’s precisely because your mom is missing that I feel free to invite my friend over for dinner! If your mom were here, there’s no way I’d entertain this idea!’


    Of course, he couldn’t say any of this to ire. Instead, he waved his hand dismissively and said, “You just don’t understand. She’s been in the States for over twenty years, and now that she’s back, I need to make her feel wee. It’s important to do this on the day they arrive! What would be the point of celebrating dayster? They would think Ickmon sense!”


    He continued, “Besides, she didn’t return alone; she brought her son along. He’s around your and Charlie’s age and is awyer running a well-knownw firm. You young people should get to know each other; it could be beneficial for you in the future! It’s a rare opportunity, don’t you think?”


    ire huffed in annoyance, “No, I don’t see it as rare! I’m not interested in meeting your friend and her son; I just want to find Mom and bring her home as soon as possible.”


    Jacob responded sternly, “Why are you being so childish? It’s just dinner! Are you saying you won’t eat dinner just because you can’t find your mom? It feels like you’re deliberately opposing me!”


    “No, I’m not!” ire shouted, exasperated. “I just don’t feel like socializing with strangers right now.”<fn9e90> Chapters first released on findnovel</fn9e90>


    Jacob was also frustrated and eximed, “She’s my old friend! You shouldn’t speak like that, especially for my sake!”


    Deep down, Jacob wanted to say something he felt he couldn’t: ‘If your mom doesn’t return, this friend of mine could very well be your stepmother! Her son might be your stepbrother! It’s good for you two to get to know each other now!’


    Charlie stepped in, trying to lighten the mood. “Yes, dear, Aunt Matilda is dad’s old ssmate. It’s not wrong for him to want to make her feel wee. As children, we should support him in any way we can; we don’t want to shame him, do we?”


    Then, he quickly added, “How about this? Aunt Matilda can be our chef for tonight. I don’t need to cook anyway, so why don’t we go out and look for Mom while Dad takes care of his friend and dinner preparations? Aunt Matilda can arriveter to cook, and we’ll return for dinner after searching for Mom. We can go out again after dinner to continue the search. That way, we won’t lose any time looking for her, don’t you think?”


    ire felt a bit intrusive and was unsure how to ease the tension. Luckily, Charlie’s suggestion helped, and she nodded in agreement, “Okay, let’s do it your way.”


    Jacob sighed with relief and shot a grateful look at Charlie.