SSS Ranked Taboo Student-Chapter 121: -Family Breakfast -

"Let the child breathe, gathering around him like a pack of wolves. How do you possibly want him to answer that?"

The voice was cool-headed and firm, drawing everyone’s attention.

Being pushed in a wheelchair, the Matriarch — their mother and grandmother — in a classic rich dress, said as she locked eyes with all four of her daughters.

"Don’t mind us, sweetheart," Aunt Raven said with a teasing drawl, a smirk on her face as she seemed to realize what their mother meant. The other women did too — and their children. Especially Blake, whose face twisted with a flash of jealousy and irritation seeing his mom also gathering around Max, and being classified as one of the wolves.

"Instead, why don’t you all owe him a favour. That should make up for your years of negligence towards your own sister’s child."

Seeing that each of the women were just about to walk towards their seats, their mother didn’t stop but struck again.

Exchanging glances, the pink-haired woman spoke.

"We all owe you a favour then." With a bittersweet smile touched with guilt, she told him before heading to her seat. So did the rest.

"Come sit over here, son." Grinning, his father called out to him while indicating for him to come sit beside him.

Walking forward, Max realized his father seemed to hold a powerful influence in the family — to sit next to the Matriarch — considering none of the other dads were present or were not valued enough to be there.

"Well, you should thank your Grandma for giving you such an opportunity... Considering each of your aunts manages the biggest sectors of the family’s business." Whispering the latter part of the sentence in his ear, his father winked at him.

Meanwhile, Blake and his other cousins could only helplessly listen — knowing how much a favour from their mother was worth.

"I guess that settles things." Standing up with grace from her wheelchair, the Matriarch let her gaze hover over him before taking her seat.

Evelyn, who had been working beside her, also took her seat between Max and his father.

Surprisingly, no one made any motion to rise from their seats, but instead composed themselves — like his father, who dropped the small glass of liquor he was holding and wiped his mouth with a napkin in a brutish manner.

Seeing this, the women around the table, other than the Matriarch, revealed a subtle look of scorn.

"Thank you, Grandma." Standing up, Max bent his head in a polite manner and thanked the Matriarch — also his grandmother — before sitting back down.

While it was noticeable that the way he greeted his aunts earlier and his grandma was different due to hierarchy, performing a full bow would have made him seem like a flattering outsider.

Seeing this, his aunts’ expressions subtly changed.

Casting a sweeping gaze, the Matriarch revealed a contented expression before picking up her cutlery.

After she took the first bite from the dishes, a tentative harmony with a new, unspoken order took place.

There was no talk, there was no discussion — only the clinking of cutlery against porcelain ceramic plates.

’One, two, three, five...’ summing up the number of eyes that were glancing his way repeatedly.

’Olivia, Annabelle and Ava...’ Among them, those three glanced at him like they were telepathically talking about him, showing hidden smiles and shy blushes whenever he caught them.

Next in line were Blake and his mom. After crossing eyes, the former would scoff, while the latter tried her best not to meet his gaze.

Then was the aunt with a big build, his quiet cousin Daisy, and Noah’s mother. Her cunning eyes kept staring at him, never glancing away.

Though it was subdued and almost unnoticed, there was a delicate tension between his sister and the four other women. Adding to this fact was that they never paid heed to her young presence after she came in with the Matriarch.

Minutes passed...

"Sarah, Sebastian, Evelyn, and Ivy. Come see me when you’re done."

Casually dropping her cutlery and casting her gaze on the aforementioned people, the Matriarch used the napkin with delicate grace, exuding an aura of nobility — once again hinting that she was no ordinary woman.

After her words, the clinking of cutlery lowered somewhat.

A silent exchange happened between the three other women — a glint of understanding that almost couldn’t be seen flashing past their eyes.

"And also..." Drawing their attention with a sudden pause, she continued.

"From henceforth, I would like to have breakfast in my office with each one of you for the next ten days, instead of coming here." Her tone was calm and deliberately measured, causing each of them to become attentive while being scanned by her gaze.

Satisfied with their reaction, the Matriarch turned to Ivy.

"Ivy, you shall arrange the order."

"Yes, Grandma." Bending her head, Ivy’s voice was dutiful and restful.

Giving a satisfied nod, the Matriarch stood up and sat in the wheelchair. Beside her, Max caught Moogie staring at him, and he was reminded of how he drilled down her throat yesterday morning. Winking at him after he finally noticed her, she dutifully turned and began walking beside the Matriarch.

After the Matriarch’s departure, the dining atmosphere changed to that of relief.

"Well... that was close, but I guess I should also take my leave now." Dropping the napkin, his father smiled and stood up. Evelyn, sitting next to him, did the same.

"Aunts... I shall also take my leave. Bye guys." Throwing the rest of them a quick glance, Evelyn calmly placed the napkin down and stood up.

Just as his dad began to walk away, she did the same.

Seeing this, the pink-haired woman — supposedly Ivy’s mom — shook her head slightly with distrust at the departing man’s back before standing up.

Ivy did the same; however, she was quickly interrupted by Olivia. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com

"Big sis, please lend us your car keys. We want to go and watch the game with Max. I bought four vip tickets."

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