2 – Cypress Mosaic

Meanwhile, ​Vincent, ​who ​had ​quickly finished his ​espresso, ​shrugged.

“The ​second ​son ​doesn’t seem particularly interested ​in ​becoming the successor ​right now, but ​situations ​can ​change ​at ​any ​time.”

“You’re saying he’d ​defy ​my ​brother?”

Matteo’s voice rose.

“The ​Lockhart family doesn’t have ​a rule ​stating that ​the eldest ​son or ​daughter ​must ​inherit.”

At those words, ​Matteo wore ​a hollow expression, as ​if he had been ​betrayed by his own ​brother. Then, ​as ​if appealing his grievances to God, ​he threw both arms ​up ​toward ​the ​TV.

“Look! ​Just looking at ​him, that ​second ​son is the ​height ​of frivolity.”

“What does his face ​have to ​do ​with it?”

“Why does ​it ​not ​matter? ​I’m ​not talking ​about ​whether he’s ​handsome or ugly. A person’s life is ​bound to be ​revealed in their ​impression.”

“Regardless of what you ​think, Father, ​the second son ​is ​just as popular ​as the eldest. ​I heard ​paparazzi ​even follow ​him ​around.”

“That’s the ​problem. ​If he ​intends ​to ​manage the business, ​he ​should manage ​his ​private ​life. ​He’s not a celebrity. It’s unthinkable to entrust such a massive group to a guy who’s constantly in the tabloids, absolutely unthinkable.”

Matteo was adamant. Believing his own words implicitly, he nodded several times with a solemn face.

Listening to their conversation, Elian continued his meal in silence.

As if it were entirely irrelevant to his own life who became the successor of the Lockhart family, whether it was the eldest or the second son.

On the news, the announcer continued the explanation.

《Lorenz Lockhart and Joshua Lockhart, the eldest and second sons of Damon Lockhart, are naturally being mentioned as the most likely candidates for succession. The youngest, Lucas Lockhart, is expected to be excluded from the candidates due to his young age.

However, since both Lorenz and Joshua are too young to lead the group, even if a successor visit our siteis selected, it is expected that an [unauthorized copy]interim chairman elected by the board of visit our sitedirectors will hold the position for the time being. The figures currently being mentioned as candidates are…》

Uninterested in the candidates for the interim chairman, Matteo’s gaze shifted from the TV to Vincent. He asked his son with a puzzled expression.

“But a third son? Weren’t there only two?”

“They adopted one about two or three years ago.”

“They did?”

“It’s a story everyone in New York knows; it’s amazing how you’re the only one who didn’t know, Father.”

Matteo looked up at the TV with a fresh perspective.

He looked to be about five or six years old. A young boy with jet-black bobbed hair that framed his face and reached down to his chin was dressed in a black formal uniform, clinging tightly to the side of a woman.

“Oh dear… that child looks far too depressed.”

Matteo muttered with a click of his tongue, and Vincent replied nonchalantly.

“Well, his adoptive father passed away.”

“It’s not that kind of temporary sadness. That is the face of a child who is fundamentally terrified.”

Matteo clicked his tongue again. Lina, who had been observing the conversation until then, joined in.

“I agree with your father on that. At my age, one can see that much even without being an expert.”

Both Matteo and Lina looked at the child on the screen with pity and concerned eyes.

Elian, who had been pressing the last piece of panini with his fork, also turned his face toward the TV. Even through the screen, the child appeared excessively frightened and stiff.

“Being adopted into such a great family doesn’t necessarily mean you’re happy.”

Matteo’s murmuring voice sounded bitter.

“Indeed, indeed.”

As Lina nodded firmly with her arms crossed, her large gold earrings swayed along.

Elian’s eyes remained fixed on the child on the screen.

Holding the hand of the woman beside him tightly and clutching a stuffed rabbit in his arms, the child clung to her as if trying to hide behind her. His large eyes, scanning the strangers filling the surroundings, were clouded with anxiety and wariness.

It wasn’t uncommon for a child of that age to be attached to a comfort object. However, the fact that he couldn’t let go of it even while attending such an important event could be proof that the child’s anxiety ran deep.

Even to Elian, a professional child counselor, the child looked generally withdrawn. Of course, he couldn’t jump to the conclusion that the child was suffering based solely on the impression from a short video.

“Eli, what do you think? Let’s hear from the expert.”

Matteo’s question suddenly turned toward Elian.

“Ah… I don’t know much about the youngest Lockhart.”

“Is Elian the type to be interested in such gossip?”

When Lina chided him, Matteo immediately nodded in agreement.

“True, that’s right. He’d know even less than I do.”

As Elian shifted his gaze, his eyes met Vincent’s.

The two exchanged a brief look before their gazes scattered in the air.

In truth, the two of them—especially Elian—were the top experts on the Lockhart family, at least to the level accessible to a civilian.

The screen changed, showing the three sons of the Lockhart family following their father’s casket one by one with solemn expressions.

The eldest son, who looked fastidious and stubborn.

The second son, who looked playful but likely willful.

The youngest, who had only grown to about the height of his brothers’ waists.

“Whatever the case, the Lockharts certainly have the looks. Seeing them all in one frame like that, it’s like a movie.”

Following Matteo’s admiration, Lina looked at Elian with affectionate eyes.

“Still, they’re no match for our Elian.”

“That’s for sure! When Eli was little…”

It was clear that Matteo was about to launch into another long repertoire about how famous Elian had been for his striking looks since childhood.

Having finished his meal, Elian hurriedly rose from his stool.

“Thank you for the meal. Uncle, it was delicious.”

Due to his dulled sense of smell, he could hardly taste the flavor, but Elian had no intention of telling Matteo and Lina. Telling them would only cause unnecessary worry.

“Oh, right. Leave the plate and head out.”

Watching Elian pack his things, Lina asked kindly.

“Are you commuting by bicycle today as well?”

“Yes.”

“Isn’t it still too hot?”

“It’s bearable in the mornings and evenings.”

“I suppose that’s quite a bit of exercise.”

Elian smiled, tapping his helmet.

“It is. I like it because it’s less suffocating than the subway.”

As Elian smiled, his somewhat cold impression softened considerably. Lina looked [stolen content]at him with warm eyes and lightly unauthorized copytouched Elian’s visit our sitecheek. It was a touch filled with affection.

“Still, you must always be careful.”

“Is he a little child? You’re talking as if it’s when we first learned to ride bikes at six years old.”

Vincent, listening from the side, snorted, but Elian reassured Lina with a warm smile.

“The bike paths to the center are well-maintained. Please don’t worry too much.”

Vincent, who had moved Elian’s empty plate to the kitchen entrance, draped an arm over his friend’s shoulder and led him toward the door.

“Father, stop worrying about the Lockhart family and please take a look at the plumbing. The clogged pipes in our house are a bigger problem right now.”

“Can’t you solve something like that on your own… do I really have to step in?”

Matteo grumbled, but he stood up from his chair and began taking off his apron.

“I’ll see Eli out, so go [visit our site]up and check first. You probably won’t be able [stolen content]to [Read on Read BL Novels]fix it either, Father.”

It seemed Vincent was enjoying the situation. He was clearly already feeling triumphant at the thought of teasing his father, who would struggle and suffer due to his pride even while failing to solve the problem.

Just as the two were about to leave the restaurant, a middle-aged man opened the door and walked in. He was a regular neighbor.

“Matteo, a cup of coffee!”

As he swung the door open with a bold shout, he spotted Elian and Vincent walking side by side and acknowledged them.

“You two are getting along well today, too.”

Vincent shrugged naturally, his arm still draped over Elian’s shoulder.

“We’re brothers, after all.”

The regular looked back and forth between the two.

Vincent, with his sturdy build and olive skin, and Elian, with his golden hair and skin stolen contentso visit our sitefair it was almost transparent. He tilted his head and smacked his lips.

“Brothers… my cat and the neighbor’s Shepherd look more alike than you two.”

Behind them, the restaurant’s TV channel changed to a sports program. The regular, delighted, quickly approached the bar counter. He then began chatting energetically with Matteo and Lina about this year’s MLB postseason race. Leaving the familiar voices behind, Elian and Vincent stepped out of the restaurant.