CHAPTER 80: CHAPTER 80: COURTING FAVOR

How should I explain it now?

"Grandma, this is mine. I temporarily entrusted Marcus to Miss Hollis for a while. Marcus’s condition is slowly improving, and I come to see him often, so I left my shoes here."

Bridget Sutton breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that Marcus has autism, her face showing tenderness and pity.

"Grace is thoughtless, you must have gone through a lot these years. I’m glad Marcus is getting better."

Eleanor Hollis felt a bit weak on the side. Maybe it was because Hugo Quinn looked so sincere that Grandma instantly believed him.

Marcus was playing with puzzles in the living room. Seeing the three of them walking in, he quickly stood up to help support the elderly woman.

Bridget Sutton saw his action and believed Hugo Quinn’s words even more, and couldn’t resist reaching out to pat Marcus’s head.

"He really is obedient. Luna, since the child is willing to interact with you, keep him around a little longer."

"Grandma, have a seat."

Marcus assisted the elderly woman and said obediently.

No elderly person dislikes children, especially the kind that are so charmingly obedient that they evoke sympathy.

Bridget Sutton was instantly won over by him, happily agreeing and immediately sitting on the sofa, repeatedly reminding Eleanor Hollis.

"Look how sensible this child is. I can’t bear it, Luna, you must help him well. He’s so cute, and his skin is so fair..."

Bridget Sutton rambled on about a string of virtues and finally smiled as she watched the child play with the puzzle.

Since she liked the child, she increasingly saw Hugo Quinn in a favorable light as well—it showed the man’s character was good to have raised such a child.

Hugo Quinn timely poured a cup of water for Bridget Sutton, placing it in front of her.

"Grandma, have some tea."

Bridget Sutton felt a bit flattered, praised the two of them again before taking the cup and drinking.

"Luna, go make dinner. Have them stay to eat tonight."

Eleanor Hollis reluctantly headed to the kitchen, never imagining that the father and son would be so skillful, winning over Grandma so quickly.

She occasionally peeked out and found Hugo Quinn and Grandma chatting pleasantly.

Marcus occasionally handed Grandma a strawberry, showing a charming smile.

She sighed, resigned herself to starting tonight’s dinner.

Since Grandma had just been discharged from the hospital, she couldn’t eat anything too heavy, so dinner would be on the lighter side.

She specially made a soup with pork ribs, yam, and chestnuts to nourish Grandma’s health.

Bridget Sutton watched the busy figure in the kitchen and sighed, "I left already, but I’m still worried about leaving Luna on her own in Serenford. She just divorced Nathaniel, and I’m afraid she’ll get stuck in that marriage and not be able to get out. Luna is a good girl, just unfortunate to have met the wrong person."

Learning about Nathaniel’s infidelity during the marriage in the hospital today, she lost her last ounce of goodwill for the man.

A glint crossed Hugo Quinn’s eyes as he gently poured Bridget Sutton a cup of water.

"Eleanor is such a good person, she’ll meet someone suitable in the future."

Bridget Sutton looked at him, finding this child increasingly pleasing, well-mannered and handsome, the child he raised was also polite.

The key was his looks.

It’s a pity he’s Nathaniel’s uncle.

The small flame in her heart instantly extinguished, regretfully gripping Hugo Quinn’s hand, "If you know any proper friends, introduce them to Luna. She’s got such a thin skin that it’s likely she won’t dare to interact with other men anymore."

Hugo Quinn’s eyes drooped slightly, "Grandma, don’t worry. Eleanor is such a good person, she’ll surely have a man who treasures her."

"You seem pretty nice yourself."

Bridget Sutton, in a moment of quick talk, expressed her own thoughts.

Hugo Quinn’s lips curled slightly, and he poured water even more diligently.

"Rest assured, I’ll take good care of Miss Hollis."

Bridget Sutton, unaware of what she had just said, heard Hugo Quinn’s words clearly.

Thinking about it all seemed off which was the point, but having drunk the water he poured, she couldn’t rebut, only nodding.

"You’re a good kid."

She probably didn’t realize that her words had given Hugo Quinn great courage. At least he passed Grandma’s test.

Very soon, Eleanor was bringing out the dishes.

Bridget Sutton was laughing gleefully with Hugo, rarely in a good mood tonight.

"Grandma, come eat."

Eleanor felt puzzled, wondering how they could hit it off when their age gap was so wide.

And Hugo, who usually doesn’t like interacting, was so attentive to Grandma?

The three in the living room soon arrived at the dining table; Marcus continuously served Grandma dishes, making Bridget Sutton even happier.

Hugo glanced at his son; truth was, his son was quite the assistant.

"Mommy, here."

Marcus picked a chestnut and placed it in Eleanor Hollis’s bowl.

Eleanor’s body stiffened; the child called her Mommy, surely Grandma heard it, wouldn’t she overthink?

She looked rigidly at Bridget Sutton only to find her gazing at Marcus with affectionate eyes.

Bridget Sutton’s thoughts were detailed; Marcus, due to his condition, wasn’t adept at interacting with others.

Perhaps he didn’t feel much for Grace, subconsciously taking Luna as his mother.

A pang of hurt arose; this child was so much like Luna when Luna went to the countryside, she felt pitiful.

Now Marcus also seemed pitiful, hearing Grace did numerous wrongs to the Quinton Family leading to divorce, she couldn’t say much.

"Luna, just agree, don’t hurt the child; Marcus has suffered enough... sigh..."

Eleanor’s mouth twitched quietly and murmured, "Okay."

Marcus was delighted and swiftly served a piece of rib into Hugo’s bowl.

"Daddy, eat."

Amusement flickered in Hugo’s eyes, clever child.

Bridget Sutton was seated across Marcus, observing the three’s interaction, feeling it strange.

And hearing Marcus call Hugo Daddy, the strangeness intensified.

They looked like a family of three...

Bridget Sutton’s brow furrowed, but seeing Marcus smile at her dispelled her thoughts.

She felt she had been too indecent, the child merely liked Luna.

He was so young, what did he know.

Such thought made her happily merge into the trio’s atmosphere.

Eleanor noticed Grandma hadn’t perceived any anomaly, exhaled, and leisurely started eating.

After meals, it was always Hugo who washed the dishes.

Bridget said she was tired, wanting to rest in her room first.

Eleanor immediately took her to the room, thoughtfully preparing toiletries.

Hugo, after drying his hands, found only Eleanor Hollis and Marcus left in the living room.

"Grandma asleep?"

Eleanor nodded, then hesitantly spoke, "Mr. Quinn, since Grandma’s here, you might have to leave tonight."