Chapter 1244: Chapter 1249

While they were eating, Cooper helped Sophia to the food and filled her plate as usual. He even resembled the way Sophia coaxed Carmen and cooed, “Have more, darling.”

Knowing that all the others at the dining table were looking at them, Sophia blushed.

“Pfft…” Amused, Stanley turned away as he couldn’t help laughing and Cooper immediately gave him a fierce stare.

With that, Stanley quickly lowered his head and pretended to be eating in a serious manner, but he was in fact chuckling.

Cooper continued to fill Sophia’s plate as he said, “Come on; have this. It’s your favorite!”

In contrast, Linus only had an empty plate and was not treated the same way as Sophia. Indeed, a daughter was more precious than a son.

It was a splendid dinner that consisted of harvests from their own farm together with Daniel’s delicacies and Harry’s seafood. Besides, the Yards brought some food too while Michael opened a few bottles of premium wine that he had been collecting. Anna had never experienced such a festive new year before, and she too ate quite a lot.

Worried that his darling would not have enough food, Cooper was busy filling Sophia’s plate with delicacies. Following that, he took another spoonful of food and was about to serve Anna. However, he hesitated for a moment, thinking that they were not that close after all and that she might not like being served, so he ended up putting the food onto his own plate.

Little did Cooper know that Anna had noticed his movements as she sat next to him. She saw Cooper scoop the food and move toward her, and she had even subconsciously held her plate out, ready to receive the food. Well, it seems like I’ve got it wrong. Nevertheless, with the lively surroundings, it did not affect Anna’s mood.

Meanwhile, Sophia took out some wine that she brewed. Seeing that, Stanley instantly held up his glass and said, “Quickly, Aunt Sophia—I can’t wait to try the ancestral wine of the Edwards!”

At the same time, Anna caught a whiff of the aroma as Sophia poured a glass for Stanley. “What wine is that? Can I try some?” she asked.

And so, Sophia served some for Anna too. Looking downward, she did not lay eyes on Anna and only dared to stare at the wine glass as the clear and aromatic wine flowed out from the bottle. “This is plum wine,” Sophia explained.

Anna thanked her and thereafter took a sip of it. Instantly, Anna’s mouth was filled with the aroma of the wine. What a wonderful taste! As the fruity liquor enveloped her tongue, it felt as if she was standing amidst a forest full of plum trees in blossom, the scent lingering on her palate even after she swallowed the wine.

After tasting the wine, Anna exclaimed in admiration, “Did you brew this? It’s amazing!”

Still not daring to look at Anna, Sophia answered, “Yes, I did.”

It was an ancestral recipe that her grandmother had passed down to her, which she had jotted down in her notebook. Following her abduction by the Phantom Wolf, Michael had conserved her belongings, including the recipes. Upon her return, Sophia had tried to pick up the recipes again. Nevertheless, she would probably be able to brew even more refined wine if Annabel was still around.

After finishing the glass, Anna intended to drink more and so she stretched her hand toward the wine bottle. However, just as she reached the wine bottle, another palm landed on her hand.

It was Cooper, who was facing the other side while talking to Linus. He was distracted from the conversation and wanted to reach out for the bottle of wine but to his surprise, he touched a warm, soft hand. Stunned, Cooper was instantly at a loss while his hand remained on Anna’s. On the other side, Callum was a bundle of nerves at once when he saw this.

All the while, Anna had a sore point—she abhorred having close contact with any men. Once she came into contact with them, she would involuntarily experience a mental breakdown. For that, she was forced to lead a simple life and forgo her career while she devoted all her energy to grooming her two sons so that they could take over the business.

Both Callum and Cade nearly stood up. However, they were surprised to see Anna behaving absolutely normal and she had remained calm until Cooper took off his hand.

“I’m sorry,” Cooper apologized in a low tone.

Smiling, Anna took her hand off the wine bottle too. She could feel the warmth on the back of her hand where Cooper touched. Her heart was racing as she was shocked and surprised. Nevertheless, she didn’t feel the slightest tinge of fear. That feeling was amazing.

Back then when Anna’s anxiety was at its peak, she would panic and feel disgusted, subconsciously getting goosebumps when a man was a few meters away from her. Even after she slowly practiced to control herself and prevent herself from overreacting, she still couldn’t accept any man approaching her.

By forcing herself, she could at most remain a calm countenance while approaching men, but the horror and aversion had become an automatic reaction; only her two sons were the exceptions. And now, Cooper was the third exception. What is going on?

Even the Yards brothers thought it was unbelievable. Could it be fate that has brought them together?

Nonetheless, the little episode between Cooper and Anna passed just like this, and no one seemed to notice it. Meanwhile, Michael took the wine bottle and poured some for Sophia and thereafter poured for everyone else. The reunion dinner ended on a harmonious note.

According to the traditions, they had to stay up all night on New Year’s Eve. Everyone was caught up in their respective activities—some were playing mahjong and poker, while the others accompanied the children.

Meanwhile, Anna followed Cooper to his study room on the third floor as she had some matters to discuss with him.

Over the mahjong table, Callum shuffled the tiles and asked Sophia, “Your father is Fass Michel? How does it feel like being Fass’ daughter?”

Frowning, Sophia could not focus as she was thinking of Cooper and Anna.

In the study room, Cooper was seated in front of the tea table. “So, what deal do you want to propose to me?” he asked as he brewed a pot of tea. Some tea would be good for digestion after a heavy meal.

After all, both of them had more or less taken some wine and the tea would sober them up, making it easier to discuss business.

Anna did not beat around the bush and cut straight to the point. “I would like to work with you to tackle Jordan.”

Upon hearing her proposal, Cooper paused as doubt and surprise arose in him. Despite that, he remained alert and continued brewing tea as he looked downward. Concealing his feelings, he did not even look at Anna as he asked, “Jordan is your husband. Why do you want to fight against him?”

Husband? This word was extremely disgusting to Anna.

“Mr. Mitchell—oh wait, perhaps I should address you as Fass. To prove my sincerity, I’ve brought with me a list of spies that Jordan has placed in the Michel Group and the family. Please take a look at it.” With that, she took out a tiny memory card from her handbag which contained information that she had gathered.

“Jordan is not my husband. Twenty years ago, he helped me return to the Yards Family merely because he was eyeing the Ronney Group for a very long time. He wanted to take advantage of my identity to enter the group. I’m just his puppet and have been carefully seeking to survive within the tense relationship between Jordan and the Yards. Even up to today, I’m living under the control of Jordan and have not had much actual power in the Ronney Group. I intended to go after Ryan and Henry because they are not my offspring. The two are twins and are one of Jordan’s many illegitimate children. Since Jordan has started guarding against me and my two sons, he intends to let the twins join Ronney Group so they can undermine our power.”

She then added, “Jordan has many other undercovers in the Ronney Group. Besides, he has numerous mistresses around the world, including politicians, celebrities and businesswomen. The power that this man and his mistresses possess is beyond our imagination.”

As she was talking about Jordan, Anna did not notice that Cooper’s hands were mildly trembling. He assumed she was leading a happy life, hence did not want to interrupt her. He thought she had a complete family and a successful career, and it was impossible for them to be connected once more.

Never once did he think…