Chapter 301

Lucie's cheeks went bright red. She shot Elio a mix of a glare and a helpless look. "Stop saying stuff like that."

Elio just grinned, even more delighted, his eyes practically sparkling. "I'm not kidding. As soon as I'm back on my feet, I'm getting the engagement gifts ready. The Madonna statue will make a perfect dowry."

"You— You're talking nonsense! Just focus on getting better, okay?" Lucie was flustered, feeling awkward and completely out of place.

Joanna had already given her a sharp warning earlier, and now Elio was adding fuel to the fire. His mom was definitely going to think Lucie had some scheme to win over her son.

"There's no need to be shy," Elio went on, ignoring her protests. "Since everyone's here, I want to officially introduce you to my family."

"Mom, Grandpa, Grandma—this is my girlfriend, Lucie. When I'm better, I'm going to marry her."

He turned to Lucie, looking so proud. "Lucie, this is my grandpa, my grandma, and that's my mom!"

Lucie's mind went blank, her whole face burning hot.

Brenda's expression soured immediately. She let out a snort and said, "June, we're leaving." She grabbed her daughter's hand and stormed out of the room.

June just shrugged. "Mom, what are you doing?"

Joanna rushed after them. “Brenda, Elio didn't mean it like that. He's not thinking straight right now. Don't take it to heart."

But it was pointless. The Swanson women were already gone, both fuming.

Joanna sighed, turning back to Elio. "Seriously, Elio, has the fever fried your brain? How could you say something like that in front of Mrs. Swanson and June?"

Elio just shrugged, totally unfazed. "Mom, Lucie's my girlfriend. If I'm getting married, it's going to be to her."

"Elio, can you please stop talking nonsense?" Lucie jumped in, desperate to clear things up. “Um, Mr. Pitts, Grandpa Pitts, Elio and I are just―"

Joanna cut her off, her voice cold. "Let's not get too familiar. The Pitts family isn't that easy to get into."

Lucie froze, the words caught in her

throat. Compared to Miranda,

Joanna was way harder to deal with. The last thing Lucie wanted was marry into a family like this,

especially with a mother-in-law who

was so controlling and nosy.

Mrs. Pitts tried to smooth things over, giving her daughter a gentle smile. “Joanna, if Elio likes this girl, why would we stand in his way?"

"I trust Elio's judgment, and she seems like a lovely young woman. Elio's not getting any younger. It's time for him to settle down." She nudged her husband with her elbow. "Don't you agree?"

Mr. Pitts cleared his throat, his eyes lingering on Lucie for a moment before he nodded slowly. “She seems steady and respectable. A good match for Elio." "Let the young people figure it out. We don't need to butt in."

As a man, he could understand his grandson's feelings. Right now, the most important thing was for Elio to get healthy and come back to take over the family business. He was a bit restless, so maybe getting

settle him

married sooner wouldve the

down. And if Lucie could give the Pitts family an heir, even better.

She'd already given the Heath family their first grandson, so obviously, she could have kids. Besides, no man loves just one woman his whole life. A wife is a wife, a lover is a lover... it's rare for them to be the same person. He was open-minded about it, and he had no problem with his grandson marrying a divorcée. Who knew, maybe in a few years, Elio would get bored and find someone new.