Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed novel Chapter 653

"Wait a minute, if I'm not mistaken, the Sullivan clan and the Dixon clan share some distant blood. Technically speaking, Scales should be calling you 'cousin' or something, right?"

That was also why Corley, despite being a businessman, was always treated like a VIP in the Dixon household.

They were relatives, after all!

Owen Reynolds cracked a slight smile, "Well, if Scales's friends are calling him that, I guess 'cousin' isn't too far off."

At that, Corley's face went dark as a thundercloud.

Sure, the Sullivan and Dixon families were related, but it was such a distant connection that saying they were "strangers" wouldn't be far off. Yet, Owen Reynolds somehow made this obscure family tie a topic of conversation, even suggesting it should affect how they address each other.

Roseanne, seizing the moment, chirped, "Hey, cousin!"

She nearly burst out laughing at her own words.

Corley was fuming.

Who wanted to be her 'cousin'?!

Geez—

"Mr. Sullivan" sounded way better than some 'cousin' title!

Oh, Owen Reynolds—

He'd remember this!

...

After dinner came the cake.

A square-shaped cake was brought out.

Laird patted his son on the back, smiling proudly, "Happy birthday, Scales. I hope you'll always be as sharp and distinct as this cake, not smoothing out your edges with age, not letting the years wear you down."

"Thanks, Dad."

Helga stood by Laird, waiting till he finished before adding, "Make a wish, my dear boy!"

This was the first time Scales's birthday was celebrated on such a grand scale.

Not just with grandparents and immediate family, but with a bunch of childhood buddies and two like-minded friends, he felt a warmth in his heart.

Roseanne accepted the cake with a smile, feeling a rush of warmth, "Let's brave the thorns and ride the winds."

Mamie's eyes crinkled in amusement, "Exactly! The Unbridled Three Musketeers, our swords point where our hearts lead!"

The trio exchanged looks, full of youthful vigor.

Years later, Scales, sitting in his university office, would recall this moment and couldn't help but smile, his eyes filled with nostalgia.

Back then, they were filled with aspirations, boundless enthusiasm, and a resolve to reach the pinnacle, no matter what.

The struggle and climb, not the successes or failures, nor the passage of time, were what defined those youthful days, making them the most cherished memories.

Back to the present, seeing their son's gesture, Laird and Helga exchanged glances.

Helga hesitated before speaking, "Did our son just... come of age? It's the first time I've seen him voluntarily give a girl a piece of cake."

Laird whispered, "What's the big deal? When I was twenty, I baked you a cake and fed you with my own hands..."

"Shh! Mind the occasion, will you? Can't believe you'd say that out loud..." Helga pinched him on the waist, her cheeks flushing red.

The two were childhood sweethearts, and their families were well-matched, making their union a foregone conclusion.