Alistair Rothschild

The moment I addressed him, the crushing aura surrounding Alistair Rothschild vanished like smoke in the wind. A warm, deeply fond smile spread across his weathered face, his sharp eyes crinkling at the corners as he chuckled softly.

"Ah, look at you!" Alistair said, his deep, booming voice filled with genuine affection as he gestured to the space beside him on the sofa. "Come, come! Sit beside your old grandfather, my boy!"

Mom gave my back a gentle, reassuring pat. "Go on, sweetie. Don't let his reputation scare you, your grandfather is an incredibly loving, doting man when it comes to family."

I happened to glance over at Dad, catching a subtle, deeply exasperated grimace flicker across his face at Mom's words, though he wisely chose to keep his mouth shut. I held back a smirk as I walked over and sat down beside Alistair.