''Don't speak nonsense.'' Malcolm said and gulped the wine down his throat, but his cheeks didn't even redden, ''Knowing Maxwell, his son must be a bookworm as well.''
Madison rolled her eyes, ''Old fool, then why have you started reading books?''
*Cough*
Malcolm went into a coughing fit, and after seeing everyone having knowing smiles, he tried to shrug it off.
''Ahem, what? Can't I read? Am I not allowed to?''
Madison rubbed her forehead and was impressed by her husband's thick skin, which even a steel sword can't penetrate.
''He never changes.'' A woman next to Madison shook her head. She had hair that was turning from brown to gray with wrinkles about to former in the corner of her eyes.
She was part of Brightstar's Nobility, and her family was one of the most famous ones in the entire Starshow.
Her name was Layla Bluesky.
Next to her was her husband, who was wearing a monocle on his right eye and a lengthy beard, which reached all the way to his chest, which made trademark description of his.
His name was Leonardo Bluesky.
Leonardo rubbed his lengthy beard and has known Malcolm for several decades. He goes often hunting with him, and has gotten used to his stubborn personality.
''Your grandchild is 18 years old, correct?'' An old man with grayish hair and a wrinkly face asked from the other side of the table.
His name was Marshall Snowflower, and he was president of a Pharmaceutical Company called Snow Flower.
They are one of the lead medical suppliers, and their company was starting to spread to nearby countries Continents.
Unlike others, he was sitting alone, the reason was unknown, but no one seemed to mention anything about it.
''That's correct,'' Malcolm said towards Marshall, who was his childhood friend, and with his own eyes, he witnessed how his friend became a titan of the Pharmaceutic business.
''Same age as my grandchild…'' Marshall murmured, and his aged face became filled with sorrow, 'Even after seeing all the medicines in the world… Winter Illness is still something that I cannot cure, and it is about to take another important person from me.'
He almost broke the wine glass that was in his hand, but no one noticed the sudden change in his face except his long-time friend, Malcolm.
Malcolm sighed deeply, 'First, he lost his wife because of that cursed illness, and now his granddaughter… How tragic.'
''How is your granddaughter doing?'' Malcolm asked, which caused a silence to surround the room.
Madison widened her eyes and elbowed her husband's waist while signaling with her eyes.
'What are you saying?!' She screamed internally, and everyone knew that it was a very sensitive topic.
Marshall froze but soon replied, ''She is doing… Better and she will be visiting us in few days.''
''In a few days? Are you sure it's a good idea?'' Madison asked with worry and knew very well how deadly the illness was.
''Yes, she had another surgery, and she needs a few days to fully recover from it, but the surgery helped to slow down the illness, and she might be able to spend the next few months outside the hospital.''
''That's wonderful,'' Madison replied, but a severe look didn't leave her face.
Surgery will only make the patient temporarily fine, but another suffering will be ahead once the effect disappears.
''Anyway, let's change the topic; I don't want to ruin the gathering.'' Marshall chuckled and said, ''I was snooping around, and I heard that one of your grandchildren had an accident year ago?''
Malcolm and Madison grimaced but nodded.
''That's horrible what happened to him,'' Marshall said and was genuinely stunned after hearing the news. Something like that happening was definitely out of the ordinary, and even the chance of dying was relatively high.
''Whoever did that will be brought to justice,'' Madison said and took a sip of the wine.
*Clink* *Clink*
Suddenly, Layla used her spoon and clinked the glass several times, which attracted everyone's attention.
''This meeting was supposed to be lighthearted.'' She giggled, making the heavy atmosphere disappear into a cloud of smoke.
Madison smiled and put the glass down on the table, ''That's right, enough of the younger generation, and it is time to talk about something else.''
''Malcolm, you are going for the hunting trip on Friday?'' Leonardo asked.
''Yes, maybe we should gather up the group of old men like us and go for a few hours; maybe we get lucky,'' Malcolm replied.
''Are you sure it's a good time?'' Madison asked and continued, ''Our grandchild is coming to visit us first time ever, and it might be time for us to apologize for our stupid behavior when we still were young.''
''Sorry about that.'' Layla wryly smiled.
It was her and Madison's idea to have their children marry with each other, but that ended very badly.
Madison was always worried about Maxwell choosing the wrong one, and that feeling became more intense after seeing him falling in love with that shopkeeper.
She thought that he was being tricked, and she wanted to marry him because of his wealth.
But, she has realized that she was very wrong and Isabella was the best possible wife for their son.
''It's not your fault.'' Madison shook her head, ''It is mine… I should have talked with Maxwell and not force him.''
They sighed in unison and wished that they had the power to travel back in time.
Malcolm scratched his cheek and said with some uncertainty, ''Maybe he can come with me to hunting?''
Madison's eyebrow twitched, and she snapped, ''Are you planning to force him as you did with our son?! Is your brain rotten!'' Her face became red, with smoke coming from her ears.
Layla wryly smiled and patted Madison's head.
Madison soon calmed down but still glared at her husband.
Malcolm paled and waved his hand, ''O-Of course not.''
''We won't force him to do anything.'' She said with a chilly look, ''If he wants to, he can go hunting with you, but do not pressure him!''
''R-Right!'' Malcolm wiped his sweat and glimpsed at the clock that was ticking down so slowly.
