Chapter 6 Why Would You Know Jefferson
Chapter 6 Why Would You Know Jefferson
Chapter 6 Why Would You Know Jefferson
Jefferson glanced at Elianna. He was about to say that they had slept together but hesitated.
"I've met her before."
Elianna regained her composure and was so relieved that she had dodged a bullet.
Sitting at the head of the table, Mr. Brice was still suspicious. Clearly, they didn't just meet. If so, Jefferson would never have drunk a toast to her.
Though his eyelids were drooping, his gaze still looked sharp. Mr. Brice asked, "Are you Asher's fiancée?"
Elianna lowered her head and replied, "Yes."
"Come and pour me some wine."
Pouring wine for Mr. Brice was considered as a great honor, and even Asher was excited. He urged Elianna in a hushed voice, "Serve Grandfather well. If you embarrass yourself, you'll face my wrath!"
Elianna felt uneasy, for she was worried that Mr. Brice might have noticed something.
She walked to Mr. Brice's side and accepted the wine from the servant.
"Please enjoy."
Mr. Brice didn't accept the glass of wine and instead scrutinized her with a grim face.
Elianna had to maintain the posture of bowing and handing the wine glass to Mr. Brice and the respectful expression on her face. After a while, her wrist grew sore.
Across the table, Jefferson gave a meaningful smile as he saw the curves of her hips when she bent down.
Only when Elianna's hand began to tremble slightly did Mr. Brice say, "When you and Asher got engaged, I couldn't be there. However, there's a work of oil painting in the study that I want to send you as a wedding present."
Before Elianna could respond, Asher whose face reddened with excitement said eagerly, "Thank you, Grandpa."
What the gift was not the most important; what mattered was the honor of receiving it directly from Mr. Brice.
Asher even thought that Grandpa recognized his abilities and might want to promote him.
During the latter part of the family banquet, Elianna kept her head down and didn't want to attract any attention.
Unrelated uncles and cousins mentioned the vacant position of the Larsen Group's president, seemingly testing Mr. Brice's response. But Mr. Brice interrupted, "No business talk at the family banquet."
Tyler Larsen mentioned that the position of the Larsen Group's CEO was vacant and wanted to find out who Mr. Brice would appoint as the new CEO.
Mr. Brice replied while enjoying the food, "No business talk at the family banquet."
Tyler had to shut up after being warned by Mr. Brice.
To prevent an awkward silence, someone changed the subject, "I heard Ms. Gibson has arrived in Oakpool from Elfold. It seems she's considering a marriage alliance with a noble family here in Oakpool."
"But isn't the Gibson family influential in Elfold? Why would they come to Oakpool for the marriage alliance?"
Elianna missed the rest of the conversation, her heart pounding at the mere mention of the Gibson family.
Memories of her darkest moments resurfaced in an instant.
Elianna had no interest in the rest of their conversation, for only hearing the Gibson family made her frightened.
Memories of the darkest moments in her life rushed back in an instant.
She tried hard to suppress her fear and comforted herself that Ms. Gibson didn't meet her before. As long as that person didn't show up, she would be safe.
However, Jefferson noticed her momentary uneasy expression.
She looked scared when the Gibson family was mentioned.
Jefferson was pleased to find Anna even more intriguing than he had initially thought.
...
Because of Jefferson, Elianna, who had been almost invisible during the banquet, became the center of attention when it ended.
Just as Jefferson was called into the study by Mr. Brice, Elianna was surrounded by relatives.
They inquired about her relationship with Jefferson and how they got to know each other.
Elianna had to come up with an excuse and said they had met at another banquet before.
"Wow, Anna, that's amazing! So many people have seen Mr. Larsen, but only you managed to strike up a conversation and leave an impression on him. How did you do it?"
Kenley asked with feigned innocence as if she was just being curious, but she was malicious.
She had planned to embarrass Elianna by making her do something foolish with the glass, but her plan didn't work out. Instead, Elianna left a good impression on Mr. Brice.
And then there was Asher. How could Elianna catch his attention? Even she...
She couldn't let this go!
Unaware of Kenley's jealousy, Asher urged Elianna to tell them, "Don't keep us in suspense. Just tell us everything." Content rights belong to NôvelDrama.Org.
Elianna sneered. If she were to tell the truth, it would cause a scene in the Larsen family.
"I couldn't talk to Jefferson at first. But someone reminded him that I am Asher's fiancée. Because of that, he chatted with me for a while, and that's how we got to know each other."
"Really?"
Asher was elated and couldn't believe that both Grandpa and Jefferson held him in such high regard.
Asher was immersed in his own thoughts and didn't notice the unbelieving looks on others' faces.
Kenley also thought she was lying.
Jefferson wouldn't listen to Mr. Brice. Why would he care about Asher?
But if it weren't for Asher, how could Elianna have any connection with Jefferson?
Suddenly, Kenley thought of Elianna's awkward walking gesture when she returned home last night. Could it be that Jefferson was her lover?
She quickly was surprised and quickly dismissed that thought.
But, aside from physical appeal, she couldn't think of any reason for Elianna to capture Jefferson's attention.
...
Meanwhile, in the study...
"Did you secure the land in Medfolk?"
Jefferson simply replied, "Yes."
Mr. Brice narrowed his eyes and asked, "Can you handle it?"
"I have the confidence."
In the tug of war between these two, Mr. Brice finally gave in.
"Jefferson, you're still part of the Larsen family. As I grow older, I need to pick out a successor of the Larsen Group. You should consider the interests of the Larsen family more."
Although it seemed like a hint, upon closer examination, he didn't make any commitment.
Jefferson gave a half smile. Mr. Brice was just promising him the moon.
Mr. Brice felt uncomfortable with Jefferson's sarcastic expression and quickly changed the topic.
"You mentioned knowing the Larsen family during the banquet. Is there any connection?"
"As for the woman from the Larsen family," Jefferson remarked, his tongue brushing against his cheek, "she looks quite hot."
"Nonsense."
Mr. Brice scolded him.
However, due to Jefferson's casual attitude, Mr. Brice assumed he was merely interested in the Larsen family and didn't think much of it.
"What the Larsen family does is not entirely reputable. If you're serious about settling down, I'll have Neil and Clare introduce some girls to you."
Mr. Brice paused, then suggested, "What about Ms. Gibson?"
"She seems fine."
Jefferson's positive response caught Mr. Brice off guard. But what he said next made him lose his temper.
"Since you're available, I'll talk to her and ask her to be my stepmother."
Mr. Brice shouted to him, "Get out!"
Mr. Brice was usually composed and rarely showed his emotions, so he was furious this time.
Jefferson felt content as he hummed a tune while leaving the study.
"Jeff."
He turned around to find Neil sitting in a wheelchair and smiling at him.
Jefferson's eyes narrowed, but he soon spoke to him with a smile. "There you are, my dear brother. Did those who you sent to monitor me fail to do their job? So now you've come by yourself?"
Neil just regarded Jefferson as a mischievous little brother and replied helplessly, "Jeff, you mustn't say those things. If Grandpa hears that, he'll be angry again."
"Isn't that what you want?"
"Well, you've misunderstood me for far too long, and I won't explain anymore. I come to ask whether you want to stay in the chamber of the Larsen's mansion or the Bamboo Compound tonight so I can have someone prepare the room for you."
"Who said I'm staying?"
"Tomorrow is the death anniversary for Harper and Erika. Grandpa has arranged a ceremony in their honor. As their only son, you should be there."
Jefferson chuckled, "So you've brought up my late parents just to persuade me to stay?"
Neil smiled gently and said, "Being filial is the most virtuous of all deeds."
Jefferson licked his lips and said balefully, "Very well, I'll stay."