Her grandfather appeared to be finished with his meal. The moment he set down his utensils, Mia stopped eating as well.

But before she could even put her spoon down, her grandfather seized the opening and began to question her.

Her fingers tightened slightly. Feigning composure, she put down her spoon and looked up at her grandfather.

"No. I was in Portia a while back, but we haven’t been in touch since then. My brother is probably very busy with work, so I didn’t want to bother him."

"I hear you got engaged the day before yesterday?"

"Yes, Grandfather. To Felix Sinclair, the eldest son of the Sinclair family from Jynsia. This trip was rather rushed, but the next time I have a chance, I’ll bring him to visit you."

Her grandfather smiled, his affectionate gaze lingering on her face.

Even the System couldn’t help but make a snarky comment about his expression.

’He really does look like he’s doting on his own granddaughter.’

Mia sneered inwardly.

’The old bastard really knows how to act the part.’

’A smiling tiger like him, so good at stabbing you in the back, is the most difficult to deal with.’

"Ah, the Sinclair family. I know them. Their eldest son is quite exceptional. An engagement is such a big deal. You didn’t call your brother about it?"

"No." Mia shook her head. "I heard from Mr. Adler that my brother is always working overtime lately, so I didn’t want to disturb him. Besides, it’s just an engagement. It’s fine if he’s not there. He can just come to the wedding."

"That’s true."

Her grandfather took a sip of tea. "Have you set a date for the wedding?"

"Not yet. I’m not old enough yet... The Sinclairs said there’s no rush. We’ll register the marriage and plan the wedding once I come of age."

"Mm."

"If your brother were a couple of years younger, you two might have been able to have a joint wedding. That would have been double the joy."

At this, her grandfather sighed. "A pity. At his age, he can’t afford to wait. Wouldn’t you agree, Mia?"

The hands in Mia’s lap clenched into fists.

"You’re right, Grandfather. My brother has reached the age where he should settle down and start a family. He’s so busy, he needs someone to take care of him."

"You’re absolutely right." Her grandfather seemed very pleased with her response.

"Aren’t you curious about your brother’s prospective bride?"

Mia blinked. "Is she the young lady of some family in Portia? On the way here, Mr. Adler mentioned that my brother has been meeting with some potential candidates."

Her responses were always so watertight that her grandfather couldn’t help but marvel.

’As expected of someone who grew up with Silas. She really takes after him.’

’The more I look at her, the more of a shame it seems.’

’The last time this girl came for my birthday, she was just a tiny thing, hiding quietly in a corner, not wanting to speak. She’d only say a few words when called upon, and her smile looked more pained than if she were crying. So nervous and awkward.’

’She’s still nervous now, but clearly not as timid as she was back then.’

’It’s like she’s a completely different person.’

"In any case, I’m sure your taste is excellent, Grandfather."

Her grandfather returned to the present and looked at her. "Just because I picked them doesn’t necessarily mean they’re to his liking."

"He’s only in the process of meeting them. Nothing is set in stone." 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

"The last time I asked him about it, he just gave a noncommittal answer, saying it was ’fine.’"

"I’m thinking he should settle on someone before the end of the year. Your timing is perfect. Why don’t you help him take a look?"

"Me?" Mia froze.

While she was still frozen, the butler received a nod and brought a stack of files, placing them in front of Mia.

Across from her, Simon Adler watched with an unreadable expression, not saying a word.

He just quietly watched the farce unfold.

The files in front of her were as formal as résumés.

She roughly estimated there were more than twenty of them.

Mia flipped through them; the information on each was incredibly detailed.

Photos, names, and family backgrounds were just the basics.

Personal hobbies, relationship history, social circles—even the dates of every leave of absence they took in school were clearly recorded.

She drew in a sharp breath.

"I think they’re all wonderful. Do you have a favorite, Grandfather? Or perhaps we should let my brother choose for himself. I’m not very familiar with these ladies... and I don’t know what kind of girl my brother likes."

Her grandfather put down his teacup, latching onto her words.

"How could you possibly not know?"

"..."

The smile on Mia’s face instantly froze.

Seeing this, Simon Adler shifted slightly and chose that moment to speak up. "Your judgment is good, too. Just see if any of them catch your eye."

Mia looked over at him.

From across the long table, Simon Adler furrowed his brow and shot her a meaningful look.

Mia frowned back, then lowered her head and began sifting through the pile of files.

Her expression was focused, as if she were conducting a major experiment.

After a long while, she selected three files and handed them to the butler.

The butler presented them to her grandfather.

Mia said softly, "Miss White and my brother are university alumni, so they should have something in common."

"Miss Cameron is young and good-natured."

"Mm, and the third one?" her grandfather listened patiently.

"And then there’s Miss Sinclair..." Mia’s eyes flickered. "The records show she has professional dealings with my brother, so they should be familiar with each other. It won’t be awkward for them to get along."

"Is that so." Her grandfather gave the file for the Miss Sinclair she’d mentioned a pointed look, then chuckled softly.

"On closer inspection, her features are quite similar to yours."

"Excellent." Her grandfather seemed very pleased.

Mia’s eyes flickered.

"Silas should be very pleased with your choices. After all, what the sister likes, the brother will like too. Don’t you agree?"

Mia smiled. "Not necessarily. My taste isn’t as good as my brother’s."

’She couldn’t agree to that. It was clearly a trap.’

’But she never expected that her grandfather had dug a trap for her on both sides, just waiting for her to fall in.’

"In that case, why don’t you go meet these young women on your brother’s behalf first?"

"..." Mia’s pupils contracted in shock.

’What???’

"M-me? Go to a matchmaking meeting... f-for my brother?"

"Yes." Her grandfather sighed. "You said it yourself. Silas is busy with work, working overtime every day, practically living at the office. He simply can’t squeeze out any time to meet them."

"Since you happen to be free, why don’t you screen them for your brother first?"

Her grandfather’s eyes lifted slightly, his gaze benevolent and kind. For a fleeting moment, Mia thought she saw a shadow of Hayes Hughes in him.

Her lashes fluttered, and she forced herself back to reality. "But this is..."

"Alas, don’t tell me you really want to see your brother grow old and die alone?"

"He’s getting on in years. It’s not just me who’s concerned. Is there anyone in the entire corporation, from top to bottom, who isn’t worried about him?"

"It’s become a constant worry of mine."

"Alright, Grandfather. I... I’ll go meet these ladies for my brother first."

"Thank you for going to the trouble."

—

Her grandfather had to leave after breakfast, and soon only Mia and Simon Adler remained in the dining room.

Mia raised her head to look at him again. With no one else around, her gaze was stark and appraising, laced with a hint of fury.

"Why are you looking at me like that again? It’s like you’re looking at the man who killed your father."

Mia shot him a glare and lowered her head to continue eating.

Simon Adler found her behavior baffling.

Simon Adler finished eating first. He wiped his mouth with a napkin and urged her, "Hurry up."

"For what?" Mia looked at him, her expression blank.

Simon Adler grabbed his jacket. "Didn’t you hear? We’re going to the matchmaking meetings."