Chapter 316

316
“ That’s not what I ineant . “ Lincoln began , but Mono cut him off . “ Just leave . There’s no way I’m ever going to take you as my app cance
Mono sald coldly , “ If you want to see my apprentice’s work , go to the Fine Art Society ”
Lincoln knew that pressing further would only make Mons even more annoyed , so with a sigh , he reluctantly Backed off
Before leaving , Lincoln suddenly remembered something . Turning to Aria with genuine sincerity , he asked , “ Madelyn , could i get your contact infot ra love to consult you about painting techniques in the future . ”
‘ Since I can’t become Mono’s apprentice , ‘ he thought , ‘ building a good relationship with his apprentice is
the next best thing
“ Alright ,” Aria said coolly , pulling out her phone to scan his QR code . A moment later , they friended each other as contacts .
Just then , Mono stealthily crept up , his eyes zeroing in on Aria’s phone screen . “ You two just friended each other ? ” he asked .
“ Yes , ” Aria replied , her voice much softer . “ Mono , is something wrong ? ”
Mono’s face twisted in a sudden grimace as he snatched Aria’s phone and barked , “ Unfriend him ! Why friend him at all ? ”
After deleting and blocking Lincoln’s number , Mono shoved the phone back at Aria , glared at Lincoln , and snapped , “ Get lost ! One more disturbance , and I’m calling the cops ! ”
Lincoln stood there , utterly bewildered .
He wondered , ‘ Why did Mono suddenly do a complete about – face ?
‘ Did asking for his apprentice’s contact info piss him off ?
‘ But if that was the case , why didn’t he say anything before we friended each other ? ‘
“ Let’s go , ” Mono said curtly .
Gael steadied Mono as they made their way toward the gates of Mayen Garden , with Aria following close behind .
Owen gave Lincoln a long , penetrating look . “ You’re Lincoln Saxon ? ”
Lincoln nodded , then looked surprised . “ You … you know me ? ”
With a sympathetic look , Owen said , “ Give it up . You’ll never become Mono’s a
s apprentice — he truly detests you .”
With that , Owen hurried after the others , leaving Lincoln rooted to the spot , his mind a complete mess .
‘ What on earth did I do to make Mono despise me this much ? ‘ he wondered anxiously .
Lincoln returned home , his heart heavy with apprehension .
Stepping inside , he found the living room packed with family members .
Upon learning that Lincoln , who hadn’t been home for years , was coming back , Gloria arrived early with Terry Fletcher and Derek to welcome him , while Tina couldn’t make it due to work commitments .
Even Abigail , who had been separated from her husband Luke , made a special trip back for the occasion .
Seeing his youngest son , Lincoln , safe and sound , Joseph bit back his scolding and simply said , “ Come join us for dinner . ”
Lincoln walked over and sat down beside his father , Joseph .
31s
Caleb , Silvia , Terry , Derek , and Nathan each called out Uncis Lincoln in turn
Lincoln glanced around the room and asked casually , “ Wilson’s been studying abroad for four years now , but a about the
Abigail nodded and replied , “ He’ll be back in August . ”
Lincoln turned to his second brother , Logan , and asked , “ What about Aria ? Is she still with the Cole family and hasn’t come here
Lincoln knew about the baby switch and that Aria had gotten married soon after being reunited with the family .
With everyone here for this rare family gathering , he thought Aria , this niece he’d never met , would surely be there too .
But she was nowhere to be seen .
The moment those words left his mouth , the whole room went dead silent , with a palpable tension filling the air .
Logan and Zoe fell silent . Caleb’s expression turned frosty , Silvia nervously gripped her fork , and Nathan’s face darkened with evident frustration .
The entire second branch of the family looked palpably awkward , as if the atmosphere had suddenly turned tense .
Lincoln sensed something was off and tentatively asked , “ Is she not getting along with you guys ? ”