Chapter 3911

Austin slept for an hour and then got up. He had to prepare the barbecue ingredients for Isabella, and the marinade was very important. If the O'Connor family was having a barbecue, Austin would actually have it quite easy. He just needed to prepare the marinade whereas the actual ingredients would be prepared by someone else, so he did not need to do everything himself. Of course, if he wanted to take charge and do it all, that was fine too. While Austin was busy in the kitchen, he heard a crisp voice coming from the hall, laughing while asking, “Isabella, where’s that handsome chef of yours? Can I take a look at him? I made sure not to bring my husband along just to see him, so he wouldn’t get jealous.” Austin was speechless. Being handsome could be troublesome too; everyone treated him like a circus monkey. He was not even the most handsome among his brothers. Zachary was the most good-looking and charismatic. If these women saw him, would they go crazy? He heard Isabella say, “Don’t be too enthusiastic, you’ll scare him. He’s busy in the kitchen. Are you here to see him, or to hang out with me? Ruth, I’m so hurt.” The voice turned out to be Ruth, Isabella’s friend. Austin had never met Ruth in person, but he knew about her relationship with Isabella. Occasionally, Isabella would mention Ruth, saying that she was a sucker for good looks and that if she had not married early, she would fall for every handsome man she saw. When they went out and if they met a handsome man, she would secretly follow him and snap a few photos, only stopping when she had enough. Ruth laughed and cajoled Isabella, not immediately rushing to the kitchen to see the handsome chef. Through these girls, Austin realized that when a group of women gathered, they would talk about the opposite sex, just like men. After all, birds of a feather flock together, but opposites attract. Laughter and chatter filled the hall. Austin thought about his own home. At this time, Wildridge Manor would also be very lively. It was the happiest time for his nana. Everyone would gather at his uncle’s place, laughing and chatting. It was such a joyous occasion. Every year during the holidays, they all stopped working. It was not only to relax but also to spend quality time with their elders. Old people, after all, were like children—they feared loneliness and liked having someone around to spend time with. His parents’ generation was better off, as they had their spouses to provide companionship. However, his nana was lonely. Since Gramps had passed away, she only had her sons and grandchildren left. If they were unfilial and did not spend time with her, she would feel very lonely. Having prepared the ingredients and the marinade, Austin’s work was mostly done. Not long after, he met Ruth, a young and beautiful woman who was quite different compared to Isabella. He could not understand how such two different personalities could become friends. Austin believed that Ruth had to have been the persistent one who always stuck to Isabella until eventually, Isabella had no choice but to accept her as a friend. After meeting Austin, Ruth did not act as freely as she politely asked him a few questions. When she heard that Austin was from Wiltspoon, Ruth suddenly asked, “The most prominent family in Wiltspoon are the Yorks. Are you related to that York family?” Austin’s dark eyes flickered. He had not expected Ruth to ask such a question. After all, Isabella had investigated him twice and had still never connected him with them. However, lying was not an option. Austin quickly made a decision and replied in a warm voice, “Yes, that’s my family.”