“Waylon, why are you asking him about my marriage?" Lilah asked curiously.

"Because he is your father. Your marriage should be decided by your parents. You are still young and don't know anything about things like these. Your father knows better, so he is in the best position to make the decision for you." Waylon didn't give Lilah a chance to reply and continued to pressure her. “The man will be here soon. You guys get to know each other. If the two of you are compatible, then you can get engaged."

Marlene's smile hinted at her thoughts. She knew if Lilah were engaged to someone else, Gerard would lose interest. Such a marriage would also be beneficial for the Dillon Group.

“I don't think we should involve my father," Lilah suggested, her voice calm. “Perhaps, you could ask someone else."

Waylon looked puzzled. "Who?"

Lilah then lifted her phone, revealing a call in progress with Gerard, already lasting ten minutes.

The revelation stunned the entire table.

Waylon's hands shook slightly, almost dropping his fork. Marlene, too stunned to even breathe, felt an overwhelming tension. Lance, usually so talkative, was rendered speechless, and the others were similarly hushed.

Then came Gerard's icy voice through the phone. “I hear you're planning a marriage for my girlfriend?"

Despite his age, Waylon seemed chilled by Gerard's tone, as if Gerard's next words could spell doom for their company.

"Mr. Harris, you've got it all wrong," Waylon quickly explained. "I was just testing Lilah's loyalty to you. Her being with you is a privilege. I'm just looking out for your relationship."

Waylon's quick wit, a testament to his business acumen, was on full display.

Gerard's voice was stern. “I don't want to hear of this again.

Otherwise, it's the end for the Dillon Group."

"I understand, Mr. Harris," Waylon assured him.

Lilah, smiling slightly, said to Gerard, “Honey, you go ahead and eat.

I'll continue eating my food too."

“You and your love for food," Gerard replied, his voice softening.

Lilah ended the call.

The tension in the room eased, but a trace of fear lingered on everyone's faces.

Marlene shot Lilah a harsh look, but she held her tongue, not daring to speak out as freely as before.

Waylon took a deep breath, attempting to regain his composure. "Lilah, are you enjoying this?"

“What do you mean?" Lilah asked, feigning innocence. “Is it wrong for me to talk to my boyfriend?"

She shrugged and added, "He just cares about me, worried I might not be eating well here."