Chapter 978

Lena didn’t need to turn around to recognize the voice—she had just heard it last night.

“Aunt Xandra,” Lena greeted Xandra, who approached her excitedly.

“It really is you!” Xandra looked at Ron in surprise. “Cousin, so Lena is your girlfriend?”

Ron raised an eyebrow. “Why is she calling you ‘Aunt Xandra’?”

Xandra blushed slightly, and Lena explained, “She’s my uncle’s girlfriend.”

“Oh? What a coincidence. Looks like we’re about to become one big happy family,” Ron teased, his tone laced with amusement.

Lena hadn’t expected to run into Xandra there. Fortunately, her relationship with Ron was fake—otherwise, things would get complicated. If she called Xandra “Aunt Xandra” while Xandra called Ron “Cousin,” their family connections would become a mess.

“Your uncle will be here soon. I’m waiting for him,” Xandra said cheerfully, making Lena’s head ache. Why did she keep running into Aaron wherever she went? There was no avoiding him.

“Well, you wait here. We’re heading inside,” Ron said as he gently placed his arm around Lena.

Lena glanced at him. “How exactly is Xandra your cousin? Which relative of yours does she belong to?”

She was beginning to feel like Earth, with its billions of people, had somehow shrunk just for her.

“You’d have to ask my uncle. He’s the one who had her,” Ron replied in his usual playful manner.

“Why do you sound like you’re—”

Before he could finish, Lena twisted her body and shook off his arm.

Ron immediately noticed her discomfort and decided to drop the subject. “Just think of them as ordinary people. And make sure you don’t mess up your act later. If my grandfather finds out I faked a girlfriend just to make him happy, his birthday banquet might turn into a funeral.”

Lena smacked him lightly. “Don’t say such ominous things!”

Ron chuckled. “You’re really getting into the role of the future granddaughter-in-law.”

They were still bickering when Aaron entered. He had a clear view of their playful exchange.

Beside him, Xandra noticed his gaze lingering on Lena and whispered, “Are you sure that keeping up this act won’t just push her further away?”

Xandra had been hired by Damon to play along with Aaron’s plan—to make Lena jealous.

“It won’t,” Aaron said with absolute confidence.

Xandra studied the man beside her—handsome, wealthy, and a perfect gentleman. If she hadn’t known he was in love with someone else, she might have tried to claim him for herself.

“Well, I hope you succeed soon,” she said, taking a step forward. Then, in a voice too soft for Aaron to hear, she added, “Otherwise, I might just fall too deep and not want to let you go.”

As they stepped into the hall, they saw Lena chatting with Ron’s grandparents. The elderly couple adored her, just as much as Lena’s maternal grandparents adored Xandra.

Chapter 978

Grandparents always had a special fondness for the younger generation, and they were even more enthusiastic when their grandchildren found partners they liked.

Aaron’s gaze lingered on Lena’s face. Her stiffness and discomfort were obvious. Was she really trying to put on a show with that level of acting?

“Xandy, you’re here too? And this must be your boyfriend?” Ron’s grandmother greeted them warmly.

Xandra smiled and took Aaron’s arm, introducing him naturally before they sat down—right across from Lena and Ron.

“Lena, this is our first time meeting. Here, a small gift from me,” Ron’s grandmother said, offering her something.

Lena instinctively wanted to refuse, but the old lady took her hand and insisted, “This is our family’s heirloom bracelet, passed down through generations to the lady of the house. Our family has had only one male heir per generation, and Ron is the only one in his. So, this bracelet belongs to you.”

Lena felt a headache coming on. She couldn’t possibly accept it.

“I heard from Ron that you’re a doctor, specializing in childbirth?” Grandma Shane asked with a smile.

“Yes, Grandma. I’m an obstetrician.”

Grandma Shane beamed with delight. “Oh, this is wonderful! The heavens are truly looking out for our Shane family. With an expert like you as our future daughter-in-law, we’ll never have to worry about carrying on the family line!”