?Chapter 1087:


    “No probably. Yes or no.”


    “Yes.”


    “Then should I throw on something a little sharper?” Clearly, this was no casual visit. Thest time Ellis gave Freya a ride home, he didn’t even stay for a meal. Freya had said they weren’t stable enough yet.


    But now she was officially bringing him home? That meant things were real.


    And that called for a proper conversation with the guy.


    “No need. Ellis has already met you,” Ethel said easily,pletely unfazed. She’d already crashed more than a few of their dinners, after all. “Besides, even if you suit up all shy, sitting next to Ellis you’d still look—”


    Hugh’s expression darkened. “Look like what?”


    “Look like the most handsome one.” Ethel grinned.


    He shot her a re. This cheeky little rascal. Sure, he knew Ellis was more good-looking. But that wasn’t the issue! The point was, he had to bring his A-game today.


    “No more snacks for you. Come help me out in the kitchenter—we’re putting together a real meal today.” He got up, already assembling the menu in his mind. “This is Mina’s first time bringing her boyfriend home.”


    Ethel’s eyes lit up. “Dad?”


    “What?”


    “If I brought my boyfriend home… would you cook something special for us too?”


    “You already thinking of bringing him back?” Hugh’s brows drew tight.


    “Is that not okay?” Ethel suddenly looked unsure, biting her lip.


    “Didn’t you already meet him? You said you were fine with us dating.”


    “I said you could date. I never said anything about marriage.” His voice went firm. “And if I recall, I told you not to call Mina that day—and you did it anyway.”


    Once Freya had shown up, he hadn’t even gotten to y the role of stern father properly.


    Ethel rubbed the tip of her nose, looking genuinely sheepish.


    If she hadn’t called Freya that day, Jarrett would’ve been toast—he never would’ve survived her dad’s energy alone.


    “Don’t even think about bringing him home to talk marriage.” Hugh shot that down instantly. “Just focus on dating him right for now.”


    Hugh couldn’t bear to watch both his daughters get married in such a short span of time. It had to be done one at a time, giving him room to breathe and adjust.


    “Hmph!” Ethel, reading him like an open book, decided to counter with a yful threat. “I’ll just go ask for Mina’s approval then.”


    Hugh was left speechless. She always knew exactly which buttons to push.


    “When Mom was alive, she called the shots. After her passing, Mina stepped into her role,” Ethel dered with a mischievous glint in her eyes, her gaze strikingly beautiful. “Mina has a soft spot for me. She loves me so much that she’ll agree to anything I ask. In other words, I call the shots now.”


    “Are you asking for trouble?” Hugh asked, sensing she was getting too big for her britches.


    Ethel grinned like the cat that ate the canary, and Hugh shot her a mock re. The father and daughter went back and forth, their banter lighthearted and full of warmth.


    Byte morning, Freya and Ellis showed up.


    Ethel flew into Freya’s arms, squeezing her tight before turning to greet Ellis. Ellis responded with a polite nod and handed over the gifts he’d brought for both Ethel and Hugh.


    .


    .


    .