They finally gave up after realizing that Lauriel wouldn't be telling them his personal affairs. The man was always known as a reclusive person. Apart from his men in The Wolf Pack and Caspar as his best friend, almost no one could find out where he was and talk to him.

Now Lauriel had become more open because he had children and extended family, but he would not necessarily turn into a different person. Nicolae was determined to ask Veritaserum from Aldebar to trick his father into talking to him.

When they were chatting and drinking wine together tonight, he would make his father tell his secret. Ha ha.

After relaxing for a while, they then gathered for dinner in the beautiful garden beside the villa, which had been arranged like a cozy garden party. There were a few round tables placed there with beautiful centerpieces and candles inside glass lanterns.

Two chefs were specifically brought in from Singapore, with several waiters serving a variety of sumptuous dishes for the big family. Alaric and Aleksis sat with L and London, and they seemed enthusiastically talking about their children's development.

Caspar, Finland, and Lauriel sat with Aldebar. They only discussed trivial things that were fun. While the single men were sitting together with the twins, Altair and Vega.

That night, the atmosphere was delightful and familiar. The dinner was warm and everyone was in a good mood. Since Caspar and Finland reunited 30 years ago, they were used to holding year-end holidays together with their friends and relatives.

In the beginning, Jean, Lauriel, and Aldebar, always came and spent their year-end holidays with the Schneider family. Over time, their family grew. London and Rune were born, adding their number to eight.

After Terry became an orphan and lived with the Schneider family, the number became nine. Then Aleksis married Alaric and gave birth to a pair of twins, Altair and Vega, which made them eleven.

In those days, Alaric was thought to have died, and Nicolae wandered around the world because he was heartbroken. Jean then disappeared because he was married to Marion, and the family holiday was then only attended by ten people.

When Nicolae returned from his wandering, he joined the family at the end of each year, and their number went back to eleven. Only last year, Alaric finally reunited with Aleksis and their children. However, it was Nicolae's turn to leave because he was still unable to behave normally toward Aleksis at family events since they were almost married.

This year was the first time they were all back together in full as a family and even increased by one more member, namely L, who was newly married to London. Their number per today day was 16, including the three babies, Ireland, Scotland, and Lily.

They hoped in the coming year, Jean, Marion, and their two children could also join so that their family would truly become complete.

Next year, one of the single men who was now sitting at Rune's table might find love, like London and Aleksis, and the family would have a new member.

"I'm glad to hear that Daddy Nic is dating a lot of pretty aunties," Vega commented while eating a slice of fruit from her plate. "But, don't you dare forget about us ..."

Nicolae, who was focused on cutting his steak, immediately glanced at Terry while frowning. He did not know what gossip his friend had spread to his two children.

"Hey ... don't blame me," Terry said suddenly. "Your children begged me to find you a girlfriend..."

"Actually, I like Auntie Marie," blurted Altair. "Why don't you just come to see Auntie Marie after this vacation, Dad? We're close to Singapore."

"Uhm .. why are you suddenly talking about Auntie Marie?" Nicolae asked in bewilderment.

"Nothing. I just remembered that we are not far from Singapore ... and Auntie Marie lives in Singapore," answered Altair. "Don't you ever talk with Auntie Marie again?"

Nicolae listened to Altair's words thoughtfully. Truth be told, he thought about the girl several times, but he tried to get rid of those thoughts because he wanted to focus on his own life. He was starting a new life in New York and did not want to burden himself with other things.

"Who is Auntie Marie?" Terry asked with a curious face. He liked gossips. Enthusiastically he moved to a seat next to Altair. "Tell Uncle everything about this Auntie Marie..."

Altair laughed at his uncle's attitude. "Hahaha... Uncle, you also have to look for a girlfriend yourself. I'm actually surprised Vega asked you to find a girlfriend for our daddy. You don't even have a girlfriend yourself."

"Uh ... I am single by choice, okay? I just want to focus on your family business first. So, I don't have time for women," Terry answered. He did not lack women in his life. He often went on dates with Shekina the supermodel, and they did like each other. However, both of them had the same stance as typical Alchemists who were not rushing with love. "I don't need to find women to heal my broken heart. Unlike a certain some ... ahem.. like- cough... your dad."

Nicolae smacked Terry on the shoulder for speaking so rashly without showing any sympathy. "Don't speak so carelessly..."

"Iishh ... I'm just speaking the truth," Terry said. He then turned back to Altair and continued their gossip. "Come on .. continue. Who is this Auntie Marie?"

"Auntie Marie is our neighbor in the same apartment building. She is a very cool and pleasant person. We saw that she was very interested in Daddy..." Altair explained. "They looked really good together too. I took a picture to prove it ..."

He took out his tablet and opened a photo and handed it to Terry. With great interest, his uncle took the boy's tablet and saw the photo that Altair referred to. For a moment, his brows furrowed, and then he turned to Nicolae.

"Isn't this..."

He did not continue his words. Terry then shook his head several times and returned Altair's tablet to its owner.

"Where did you get Marie's photo?" Nicolae asked in surprise when he saw the scene.

"When we had lunch the last time. You guys were busy chatting, so you didn't pay attention to us," Altair said. "Don't you want to look for Auntie Marie?"

Nicolae only smiled faintly and shook his head. "No."

"Why not?" Altair and Terry asked in unison.

The two of them exchanged glances and then looked back to Nicolae, making the young man wonder. How could Terry and Altair suddenly conspire like this? he thought.

"I want to start a new life," Nicolae said. "If I'm looking for Marie, I'm afraid she will expect something serious between us. Right now, I can't establish a relationship with a new person. I told you, I need time to recover."

Terry looked at Nicolae very seriously as he said his words. "I think you've recovered, Nic. And I sincerely advise you to look for this girl ..."

Nicolae looked back at Terry with an incomprehensible look. "You don't usually do this."

Terry shook his head again. "I just saw the photo."

"What's wrong with the photo?" Nicolae asked again. He took Altair's tablet and opened the photo that his nephew had shown to Terry.

He was stunned to see a picture of himself and Marie, smiling and staring at each other as they were chatting at the last lunch. Marie had just become an orphan after her mother passed away, but her face looked radiant and happy. She didn't look like she just lost her only parent and was deeply grieving.

The girl was indeed very beautiful. For a moment, Nicolae was carried away in nostalgia as he recalled his brief encounter and intimacy with Marie. He only hoped that the girl was happy and now living her life well.

"Do you understand what I mean?" Terry asked patiently.

Nicolae shook his head. He did not understand why Terry suddenly behaved like this.

"I don't have time for riddles, Terry," Nicolae finally said, angrily.

"Okay ... then I will mention these names, and you have to think about my words just now," Terry said, finally.

Nicolae nodded. "Try me."

Terry then began holding up one finger while mentioning several names, all women. "Lucia Chen, Sarah Wu, Nancy White ... Diana Archer ..."

Only then did Nicolae understood what his best friend had been trying to say.