The Unlucky Turn by Mark Twain 219

The more he thought about it, the happier he got, circling the room with his hands behind his back, muttering to himself.

“Living close is good! If the couple fights later on, Callahan doesn’t even need to leave the building to apologize! When I have great-grandkids, visiting will be convenient too!”

Jarvis found himself at a loss for words, thinking, “You’re really thinking far ahead.”

Dante suddenly stopped, narrowing his eyes. “No, I need to send Leilani something else!”

Jarvis was startled. “More? You already sent several crates today…”

Dante waved his hand. “Send a deed! Give her the apartment next to Callahan’s! That way if the brat bullies her in the future, she has somewhere to hide!”

Dante took out the pill Leilani had sent him. Smiling so wide his eyes were mere slits, he popped one into his mouth right there, nodding repeatedly.

“Mm! This medicine has a bitter start but a sweet aftertaste. Leilani’s skills are excellent!”

While Dante and Jarvis were talking, Talbot and Reese stood nearby. They didn’t shy away from the husband and wife duo.

Talbot and Reese listened to the conversation, their expressions turning sour.

Reese forced a smile, feigning concern. “Dad, this medicine… shouldn’t we let the family doctor check it first? It was made by an outsider, after all. If something is wrong with it…”

Dante’s smile vanished. He shot her a cold glance. “Leilani is a rare medical genius. She cured my heart condition before. If Leilani wanted to harm me, she would have done it then. Why wait until

now?”

Talbot frowned, his tone clearly disapproving. “Dad, Callahan is the future head of the Langley family. Shouldn’t his marriage be taken more seriously? That Leilani… I heard she’s been to prison, and her family background isn’t clean. If this gets out…”

“Clatter!”

Dante slammed his cup onto the table, his gaze sharp as a knife. “What? I’m not dead yet, and you’re already trying to dictate the Langley family’s affairs?”

Talbot’s face paled, and he didn’t dare make another sound.

Dante huffed coldly, then turned back to happily fondling the medicine bottle. “Once Leilani and Callahan get married and have a baby, these old bones of mine might stick around a few more years to hold the baby!”

Reese dug her nails into her palm, forcing a laugh as she agreed. “You’re right, Dad.”

But the jealousy in her eyes nearly spilled over. She lowered her head, afraid Dante would spot it. Her nails cut deep into her skin, but she didn’t feel the pain.

Why? Dante had always favored Callahan’s branch of the family. Now, even that ex-convict Leilani

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was receiving such lavish treatment! The herbs, the jade-every item was worth a fortune.

Yet she and Talbot had worked tirelessly for the Langley family for years, waiting hand and foot, and Dante had never given them such face!

Talbot stood to the side, his expression dark. Callahan’s father had died young. By rights, Talbot’s branch should have been the pillar of the Langley family. But in Dante’s eyes, there was only his older brother’s line! Now, even a nobody like Leilani could step on their heads?

The kinder Dante was to Leilani, the more twisted their hearts became. If Callahan married Leilani and had children, Talbot’s branch would be completely marginalized within the Langley family.

No, they couldn’t let that happen.

Reese glanced up slightly, her gaze sweeping over the medicine bottle in Dante’s hand. She sneered internally, “Is Leilani’s medicine really that reliable?”

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