Turning Of the Tide by Diana Sander

Chris frowned and looked at the full glass of red wine before him and was speechless. He didn't plan on getting drunk, especially since he couldn't handle much alcohol. But this girl mistook it for blueberry juice and poured a large glass. Why couldn't she drink it herself? He said, "Can't you pour less? No one was going to snatch it from you." Stella happily took a sip of the blueberry juice and replied, "How would | know? We were chatting, and | poured without paying attention. Oh, it's fine. Whether it's one glass or two, it's all good. Don't waste it. Frank said this wine is expensive. Let's appreciate it." Despite feeling helpless, Chris still decided to drink the red wine. He rolled his eyes at his sister and placed the wine to his right.

Rose was overjoyed. Her mouth constantly chattered, and everyone had smiles on their faces, exchanging words of blessing.

Ava praised, saying, "Sis, you have no idea how amazing Sophia and Olivia's riding skills were. They're so cool." After saying that, she couldn't help but give a thumbs-up.

Natalie said, "Don't praise them. Otherwise, they'll be riding the bikes from morning till night tomorrow." Frank glanced at Trevon. Most likely, this guy indulged them. If he had daughters, he might spoil them the sway, treating them like princesses.

Not long after, the sounds of quarrel cfrom the stage. Everyone looked over and found Trevon's daughter and Hackett's son were fighting. Most importantly, Hackett's son was pinned down by Trevon's daughter.

However, they hadn't really started fighting. They were just locked in a position. Hackett's son couldn't move and had been preparing to retaliate. Jasper forcefully lifted his sister and said angrily, "That's enough." Sophia shook her hair, tidying it with a demeanor that suggested she wouldn't take a loss. "He pushed me." Ruby apologized on behalf of her younger brother. She saw her younger brother impulsively pushing Sophia just now, so it was his fault. After Liam pushed Sophia, he still couldn't win against Sophia in a fight. It made Ruby feel embarrassed. "Sophia, sorry, Liam is very naughty. I'll talk to my dad. Please don't be mad." Sophia still liked Ruby as Ruby was always kind and gentle. She gave sface to Ruby and generously said, "It's okay." However, Hackett's son was still unsatisfied and wanted to fight again. Ruby pulled him back. "Go find Dad." Liam was upset about losing the fight. He wanted to fight again. He tilted his head and said furiously, "No." After a while, the adults from both families cto the stage. There were parents, grandparents, and so many people. Ruby didn't know how to explain in front of them.

Jasper counted the number of people and made a suggestion, saying, "Let's check the surveillance." After all, it would be too tiring to explain.

Today's situation was different. The Roberts family had set up high-definition cameras in various corners, all connected to their phones. Frank opened his phone and watched the footage for a few minutes with Trevon and Hackett. Then, they understood what had happened.

Initially, the twins were playing in the carriage, and Liam also wanted to join. Olivia pulled Sophia down. Perhaps Liam was teasing Sophia when he grabbed her ponytail while getting on the carriage. However, Sophia didn't like others touching her hair.

Her hair was styled by her father, so she firmly slapped the back of Liam's hand. He didn't like it and pushed Sophia. Eventually, Sophia, with her temper flaring, retaliated and pinned him down. She was in a manner that conveyed a message of "Are you going to give in?" After watching the whole incident, Trevon's lips curled slightly. He smiled faintly and did not make any comments. Usually, this was how he taught his two daughters. When others bullied them, they had to know how to fight back.

These two girls had really learned it, and they had used it on Hackett's son today. 'Not bad," Trevon thought to himself.

Natalie lightly tapped the smiling Trevon beside her and then glared at him. Even though it was Hackett's son's fault, it was wrong for Sophia to pin him down like that. When they were about to apologize, the elders from both families laughed. "It seems the kids thought Auntie Ava's wedding wasn't lively enough, so they added sentertainment, haha." Joy said, continuing cheerfully, "Children making a ruckus is common. It'll be fine soon. Their quarrel will not last for three minutes. Let's have our meal." Nathan was about to bring Ruby down, but she refused. She said, "Grandpa, I'll watch my brother up here. You go ahead and eat." Juana was pleased and couldn't help but praise, saying, "Ruby, you're getting more sensible." Frank thought Trevon's son was clever, and he raised an eyebrow. As the elders dispersed, it seemed like the earlier fight of the children was nothing. Frank said to Hackett, "Your son is a bit weak. | suggest you do spractice with him." Hackett glanced at his son and said, "If only you didn't touch Sophia's hair, you wouldn't have been beaten. Get down now." Natalie also glared at her daughter. Her temples were throbbing. Fighting at Ava's wedding was bold and unacceptable. Suppressing her anger, she said, "Cover and let's talk." Seeing that her mother was about to flare up, Sophia looked to her father for help. She only saw her useless father shamefully blinking, showing no intention to assist. Sensing the situation, Sophia tactfully lowered her head and admitted her mistake without waiting for Natalie to criticize her. "Mom, | was wrong. Liam, I'm sorry." Natalie was speechless for a moment. With Sophia's sudden change of attitude, she didn't even get a chance to criticize Sophia.

Trevon tilted his head and snickered at the side. Natalie caught this action and vented all her anger on his arm, twisting it fiercely. Trevon endured the pain, smiling all along.

When Sophia apologized, Liam could only accept and said, "It's okay." Hackett said, "Alright, keep playing. It's fine, Natalie. It's just kids fooling around. Don't mind it." Sherri and Rose didn't budge from their seats, and Ava wasn't allowed to get up by Frank, so she didn't find out what happened.

The elders returned to their seats. Theo knew his great-granddaughter had made a mistake. He said, "Our two kids are mischievous. I'm really sorry." Juana said, "Which child isn't mischievous? They are energetic, and our Liam isn't that quiet either." Joy agreed. "Exactly, it's just kids playing. Don't worry. They might fight a few more times in the future. We can only let them be." Emma and Grace shook their heads and smiled. Daniel didn't expect these kids to be so tough. They were quite calm when they were younger.

Christina secretly approached Joseph. "Your two nieces will be something in the future." Joseph said, "There's always someone who could tthem, like me." Christina was left speechless. With a smile on her face, she lowered her head and ate while Joseph quietly fed the child.

Once Hackett and the others returned to their seat, Sherri gnawed on the chicken wing and acted as if her son hadn't just lost. "Liam lost?" Seeing Hackett's expression, Sherri knew that her son had lost. She wasn't surprised as she thought her son was too weak. She continued eating, saying, "Looks like we need to find a coach for Liam. If he grows up and falls for a fierce girl, he'll be beaten to death." Rose gave a thumbs-up to Sherri. "You're really my mother. You're thinking too far ahead." Sherri replied, "Of course, right, Hackett?" Hackett wasn't actually angry. He only gave a suggestion. "Can you make Sophia act more like a lady? Like my daughter Ruby?" Trevon refused to admit his daughter was fierce and retorted, "What's good for her to beca fragile lady? Can she earn more money by being one?" Hackett was actually speechless. He couldn't help but wonder why being a lady had to do with earning more money. And why did Trevon mention it? Regaining his senses, Hackett argued that the two were unrelated. They kept arguing. Their bickering was childish, and the whole table shook their heads, not intervening.

Among the group, Jim and Alex had the lowest presence, staying quiet throughout the meal and the wedding, not interjecting or speaking a word.

Inside the hotel, it was bustling, while outside stood a woman wearing a fisherman's hat and a long white dress.

There was no makeup on her face. She looked blankly at the wedding photos on the easel, surrounded by romantic ambiance everywhere. Eventually, her last trace of reluctance dissolved into acceptance.

The woman beside her tried to console her. "I told you not to come, but you insisted. What were you expecting? You cright out to find trouble." Lily chuckled at herself, observing Frank's attentiveness all around. She realized this man wasn't avoiding romantic entanglements or leading a celibate life, but he simply hadn't encountered someone who could make him break his patterns before Ava. "He truly loves this girl," she remarked.

The wedding inside must have been even more grand and romantic. Lily stood there for a few minutes, finally understanding her mistake. With a smile, she said, "Let's go." Her friend said, "Why did you bother then? If only you had listened toearlier, would you have hesitated to enter for so long?" Lily didn't interrupt the chatter of her friend nearby. She knew her friend's words were for her good, and she regretted not seeing things clearly. She had let herself beclost in Frank's charm and status. The past was fleeting, and holding on or being unwilling wouldn't change anything. Accepting the reality, she said, "I'll live better from now on." Her friend said, "Let's focus on running our coffee shop in that city in the future. We can't rely on this bar for a livelihood in our old age, so don't count on it. How could those wealthy and influential people marry someone of our background? Look at your previous boss. | checked on the girl he married. Rumor has it she's the daughter of a foreign billionaire. We can't compete with that." Her friend added, "A stable life is better than anything else. It ensures good sleep at night." When Lily heard that Ava was the daughter of a billionaire, she was momentarily stunned but quickly accepted it.

She decided not to meddle anymore. She couldn't and didn't want to. She intended to live her own life. "Alright, thank you." The friend beside Lily was one of her former colleagues from the bar, who had also tried to advise Lily before, but Lily hadn't taken her advice and followed her own path.

Now, the two of them are preparing to leave this city for an unfamiliar place to open a coffee shop, ready for a fresh start.

After the banquet ended, Alex was arranged by Joseph to be taken back to Sapphire City University. Ava could take leave due to her marriage, but she couldn't delay Alex's studies.

Rachel and Caleb took the children back to the Wilson's residence. Both daughters were not just doted on by Trevon. Even Caleb was overly indulgent toward them.

Meanwhile, Trevon and his group moved to the Roberts family's villa to partake in the traditional teasing ceremony for the newlyweds, a ritual that shouldn't be skipped, ensuring this former bachelor had no regrets.