A Love Trap

Chapter 381 A Perturbed Heart

Andrew didn't tell them in advance about their visit as he wanted it to be a surprise.

He wanted Ashley to meet the only family member he'd recognize as his own.

Just as they arrived, a figure came out of one of the high shrubs. This particular one was designed to be as high as an average person's chest.

He was wearing a Chinese traditional suit. He looked like he was in his late fifties to early sixties and he looked very healthy.

Ashley turned to look at Andrew in puzzlement.

Just as Andrew was about to speak, the butler, who had been trimming the tree, raised his head and straightened his back.

He was so surprised that he dropped his shears on the ground. He stared back at Andrew. When he spoke, his voice was quivering, "Mr. Lu, you're back?"

He couldn't suppress the excitement in his heart.

Andrew nodded and said, "Yes, Porter. Is Grandpa here?"

Porter nodded hastily and said, "Yes, yes, Mr. Lu. Come in. I'll inform Master that you're here.

Mr. Lu, why didn't you tell us that you were coming to visit? Had we known you were coming, we would have made preparations!" Porter led Ashley and Andrew into the villa.

Porter only noticed Ashley when she was standing behind Andrew. His eyes sparkled. "Who is this young lady, Mr. Lu?"

When he asked, his mind was racing. Every time Mr. Lu came to visit, he always came alone. The whole family was starting to get worried about him.

He couldn't believe Andrew had finally brought a woman with him. He could sense the special significance of the woman.

He looked at Ashley politely and Ashley smiled back.

'This old man looks quite friendly, '

thought Ashley.

While Porter was trying to figure out what Ashley and Andrew's relationship was, Andrew pulled Ashley next to him and said, "This is my wife."

Porter wasn't just surprised—he was stupefied.

'What did Mr. Lu just say?

His wife?

Am I that old? Do I have hearing problems? Did I hear that wrong?'

Porter looked at Andrew in disbelief. He couldn't hide his excitement though. "Mr. Lu, did you... What did you say just now? Could you please say it again?"

Andrew preferred that his personal affairs be kept private. So when Porter asked him to repeat himself, he responded a little impatiently, "I said, this is Ashley and she's my wife."

Then he looked at Ashley and his eyes were gentle and affectionate.

Porter was so excited that he didn't know what to do with his hands.

He hadn't heard it wrong.

Mr. Lu did bring home a wife.

"Great, that's so great. Mr. Lu, you and Mrs. Lu stay here and I'll go to tell Master."

When he walked inside, he turned to the side and called out, "Bertha, come out here. Look who has come to visit."

"Okay, coming."

"Mr. Lu, Bertha will come to wait on you while I go tell Master."

Then as he walked away, he did a sort of dance.

as if he couldn't hide his happiness.

After he left, Ashley felt relieved. She started to look around the villa. This time, she was much more relaxed.

This was a little different from the Golden Palace as the Golden Palace was a little more European in terms of style.

This was more traditional Chinese. Everything looked magnificent but the overall vibe was simple and natural.

Before she could delve into the details, a middle-aged woman suddenly appeared as if from out of nowhere.

Ashley had to step back and hide behind Andrew again.

She didn't know anybody here and she wasn't comfortable. She decided it was better if she stayed close to Andrew.

Bertha, who was cooking the soup for lunch, had come out of the kitchen. When Porter called out to her, she was putting the ribs into the pot. She hastily came out when Porter called for her.

The first thing she saw when she came out was this pretty girl trying to hide behind a man.

Bertha had been wiping her hands on her apron but upon seeing this scene, she stopped.

'Who is this young lady? How did she get in here?'

When she realized the man was Andrew, she immediately knew the answer.

She hurried over to Andrew and said, "Mr. Lu, you're here!"

Andrew wasn't his normal, distant self.

Ashley couldn't help but notice. She couldn't, however, see the look on his face as she was standing behind him.

"Hi, Bertha. I came to see Grandpa."

"All right, that's great. It's so good to see you again. What do you want to eat for lunch, Mr. Lu? Just tell me. I'll cook whatever you want."

Bertha had been working here since Andrew was a child. She always adored him. When he was still young, his mother left and his father got married way too quickly. His father never really cared for Andrew.

As a child, Andrew was obedient and adorable. Bertha treated him as her own son.

So she was very excited to see Andrew again.

"Whatever is available is fine," Andrew responded.

"Okay then," Bertha said.

Bertha caught a glimpse of the figure behind Andrew. She leaned forward to get a better view. "Mr. Lu, who's behind you?"

She'd seen this young lady hide behind Andrew when she first came out of the kitchen. Original from NôvelDrama.Org.

Ashley poked her head out from behind Andrew and smiled at her. "Hi, Bertha. I'm Ashley."

Andrew chimed in, "She's my wife."

Ashley immediately noticed the shift on Bertha's face when Andrew said that she was his wife. It was the exact same expression that Porter had on his face a few moments ago.

She was puzzled. 'What's the matter?

Why do they all react that way whenever Andrew tells them that I'm his wife?

Do they not like me? Am I not welcome here?'

As she thought about it, she started to feel uneasy so she clenched Andrew's sleeve.

Bertha, who was silent for a moment, was still digesting Andrew's words.

'Mr. Lu's wife? Mr. Lu's married?

That's great news!'

After a while, she grinned. "Mrs. Lu, it's nice to meet you."

Ashley smiled back. "Nice to meet you too."

"Mr. and Mrs. Lu, please sit down. I'll go bring some drinks for you. What do you want to drink, Mrs. Lu?"

Ashley came out from behind Andrew. She could see Bertha's genuinely affectionate face. So she said, "I'll have the same as whatever Andy's having."

Bertha liked this answer. She squinted her eyes and then nodded before heading to the kitchen.

Ashley couldn't help but wonder what they thought about her. Did they like her or not?