CHAPTER 97: CHAPTER 97: DATE

Nathaniel Quinn had a sinister smile on his face, "Let’s go."

The woman who resembles Eleanor Hollis is June Sullivan. She originally thought he would go over, but unexpectedly, he just watched for a while and then pulled her away.

"Nathaniel, are you unhappy?"

She followed him, cautiously asking.

Nathaniel Quinn was shrouded in gloom, his mind full of Eleanor Hollis’s smile towards Hugo Quinn earlier. That smile was too bright, somewhat hurting his eyes.

"Let’s call it a night here. You go back."

June Sullivan’s eyes went wide upon hearing his words. Today was her birthday, after all, and was he not planning to spend it with her?

"Nathaniel, did you forget? Today is my birthday."

She spoke with grievance, her pitiful gaze directed at Nathaniel Quinn.

Nathaniel Quinn was startled, suddenly recalling that a few years ago, there was also a woman who looked at him with such eyes.

That time Eleanor Hollis had just recovered from depression and wanted to have dinner with him, cooking a meal at home early.

But after changing into fresh clothes, he rushed to the airport because Grace Lynch had quietly returned from abroad, saying she missed Serenford’s food.

He especially canceled all his gatherings to pick up Grace Lynch.

That time Eleanor Hollis chased to his car, pleading similarly, "Nathaniel, did you forget? Today is my birthday..."

Nathaniel Quinn was completely lost in memory, only feeling a bit of bitterness in his heart.

June Sullivan saw hesitation on his face and quickly grabbed his hand, "How about just having one meal with me? If you leave, I will be very lonely. I have no friends."

Eleanor Hollis also had no friends, only relying on him at that time, yet he was incredibly cruel to her.

Nathaniel Quinn rubbed his eyes with his hands, realizing now how absurd many of his actions had been, feeling ironic in hindsight.

He was the kind who gradually pushed that woman away.

But now he knew he was wrong and would treat her kindly; as long as Eleanor Hollis was willing to return, he was ready to give everything to her.

"Let’s go. What do you like to eat?"

Perhaps reminded by this matter, he gave June Sullivan a little indulgence.

June Sullivan happily left a kiss on his cheek, "Nathaniel, I knew you were nice."

Nathaniel Quinn tenderly pulled her over and went to the most upscale restaurant in Serenford immediately.

Meanwhile, Hugo Quinn and Eleanor Hollis were still wandering below; neither was hungry. Eleanor Hollis didn’t want to eat and just followed him holding the flowers.

"Mr. Quinn, where are we going?"

She asked cautiously, feeling as though this was not the way home.

"Won’t sell you anyway."

Hugo Quinn suddenly stopped and extended his hand.

Eleanor Hollis blushed, her eyes scanning around to make sure no acquaintances were present before quietly handing her hand over.

Hugo Quinn slowly clasped her hand, fingers interlacing, making both bodies tense.

A simple hand-hold was nothing unusual, but interlocking fingers somehow felt as though they had tacitly acknowledged each other, appearing immensely intimate.

Hugo Quinn guided her along a stretch, their shadows on the ground overlapping with Eleanor Hollis’s shadow.

Eleanor Hollis gazed at the shadow, dazed, then bent her eyes, inhaling the scent from the flowers she held.

A faint fragrance, even with a hint of sweetness.

They wandered outside aimlessly for a long time until Lan Yancy called, saying that the little ancestor insisted on coming out to find them.

"We’d better go back, Marcus alone at home must be very bored."

Eleanor Hollis’s conscience was under blame, contrasting to Hugo Quinn’s unusual calm.

However, the two soon returned home, stopping at the doorstep, where Eleanor Hollis turned her head only to see a small person waiting outside — Marcus.

Marcus’s accusatory gaze first scanned Hugo Quinn and then fixed on Eleanor Hollis and the flowers she held.

"Did you go out on a date?"

Eleanor Hollis, a bit embarrassed, hid the flowers, "We just went to see a movie. Marcus, have you eaten?"

Marcus snorted coldly without speaking and stepped forward to grab Eleanor Hollis’s hand.

The three entered the house and sat down on the sofa.

Eleanor Hollis found a vase, placed the roses inside, added some water, and put it by the window.

"Mommy."

Marcus drank a bottle of yogurt, gazing at her longingly, "Going out on a date...without taking me?"

Upon hearing this, Eleanor Hollis’s conscience felt even guiltier.

She glanced at Hugo Quinn. Initially, she suggested taking Marcus, but the man disagreed.

"Marcus, we weren’t on a date; it was just... work-related matters. You know, right? I’m now working under your dad."

She began to lie, rare for her, a bit stuttering.

"Liar."

Marcus lightly uttered these two words, sulking on the sofa.

Eleanor Hollis held her forehead, secretly nudging the calm and collected Hugo Quinn on the sofa; whose child was this, really, how could this person be so unworried?

Hugo Quinn raised his eyebrows, pinched Marcus’s cheek, "Do you want to stay with your mommy forever?"

Marcus nodded almost without hesitation, his eyes sparkling brightly like diamonds soaked in water.

"If you do, don’t interrupt our dates. If I don’t seize the opportunity, your mommy might be snatched away by someone else."

He said it candidly, causing Eleanor Hollis to blush instantly, turning her face away in frustration, not knowing how to respond.

Is it really okay to say such things in front of the child?

Marcus seemed to suddenly understand, obediently sitting by Hugo Quinn’s side, "Dad, you go for it."

Hugo Quinn rubbed his head, "Maybe someday, you could have a little brother or sister to play with."

"Mr. Quinn!"

Eleanor Hollis couldn’t listen any longer; Marcus wasn’t ignorant; such talk was detrimental to his growth.

Besides, Marcus was Grace Lynch’s child; did he really have no feelings for Grace Lynch?

And with the rumors of evil stepmothers outside, what if Marcus couldn’t accept...

"Really?"

Just after Eleanor Hollis shouted, she heard Marcus cautiously asking, seemingly suppressing something.

Eleanor Hollis thought he feared being unloved with a new child, hurriedly comforting, "Your dad is deceiving you. We aren’t that fast. It’s tough for us to be together. Marcus, don’t worry, you will always be his most cherished child."

The spark in Marcus’s eyes dimmed suddenly. Being alone actually felt lonely; if it were mommy’s child, he’d be willing to accept.

But now hearing Eleanor Hollis say this, he knew this matter was likely far-fetched, just answering "Oh," not speaking further.

Eleanor Hollis didn’t know how to comfort him. Seeing the child’s continued disappointment, she glared fiercely at Hugo Quinn.

Hugo Quinn chuckled, finding the big one and the small one indescribably adorable.