A Wedding Without the Groom (Part 1)

"Adeline, call Madam Vallerie grandma," Ronald urged from the other side. "Grandma," Adeline shyly complied. "Oh, you're such a good girl! Come on, come over here to me." Vallerie seated Adeline down next to her, and she looked at Adeline lovingly. "Adeline, this is Christiano's good friend, Culver Lester. He just came back from overseas," Vallerie introduced while keeping Adeline close to her.  Culver stood up gracefully. With a faint smile on his face, he stretched out his hands, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Simpson." "Hello, Mr. Lester. It's a pleasure to meet you too," Adeline politely put her hand into his to greet him. After the handshake, Culver nodded at Adeline, and turned around to speak to Madam Vallerie, "Madam Vallerie, I have other matters to attend to, I'll be leaving now." "Okay. Come visit us when you're free," Madam Vallerie said with a loving smile on her face. "Sure," Culver curtly answered. He nodded at Ronald and Adeline as a greeting, and he turned around t