Chapter 396
“Oh?” Nicholas leaned back as she pushed him, the unbuttoned front of his shirt gaping open even wider.
He didn’t move, just held the pose, his seductive eyes full of playful provocation. “It seems Serena has seen her fair share of foreign romance films. How else would you be so knowledgeable p>
Serena sat across from him.
From her vantage point, it was impossible to ignore his exposed chest and the faint… pink hue.
Serena’s gaze flickered.
She could never get used to this man who would start peacocking at the drop of a hat, exuding a provocative aura.
“Want a better look, Serena?” The man lifted a hand, his long, elegant fingers landing on his crimson suit jacket.
He hooked the jacket, very deliberately… as if in slow motion, and began to slide it down his shoulder, bit by bit.
It was an incredibly audacious display. “There’s still time before the banquet, Serena… Care to inspect the merchandise p>
There was no stopping this man’s peacocking!
At this point, it wasn’t just the corner of Serena’s eye that was twitching, but her mouth too.
Her fists clenched and unclenched repeatedly.
It took every ounce of her self-control not to smash her fist into his face.
“Ahem! Ahem, ahem, ahem p>
Suddenly, a series of deliberately loud, ear-splitting coughs came from the doorway.
Old Mr. Blackwood and Patton were standing there, though it was unclear when they had arrived.
Old Mr. Blackwood leaned on his cane, a complicated expression on his face as he stared at his grandson.
Who could possibly understand his plight?
He had heard Serena was here and had rushed over, eager to have a word with her and thank her for the medicinal pills she’d sent him.
But the moment he arrived, he saw his own grandson—a man who had always been aloof around women, who seemed on the verge of becoming a monk in Vaelion City —with his clothes in disarray, shamelessly peacocking for the young lady.
His feelings at that moment p>
They were simply beyond words.
While he very much hoped Serena would become his granddaughter-in-law p>
He already felt his grandson wasn’t good enough for her.
And now this p>
He was even less worthy.
It was utterly mortifying!
Meanwhile, Patton had his head down, his shoulders shaking as he clearly struggled to hold back laughter.
Serena looked up, stunned, at the two men in the doorway.
She was speechless.
The tips of her ears instantly turned beet red!
She shot to her feet. “M-Mr. Blackwood p>
The man, however, was completely unruffled. He slowly and leisurely straightened his posture.
With a flick of his finger, he hooked his shirt closed and began to button it up, one button at a time.
There wasn’t a trace of embarrassment on his face. Instead, he grinned at Old Mr. Blackwood.
Old Mr. Blackwood walked in,
leaning on his cane, and shot his grandson a harsh glare, deliberately putting on a stern face. “Even if you’re being affectionate, you should be mindful of the place! What does this look like p>
Patton chimed in with a smile, “Sir, young people in love can’t always help themselves. It’s just passion p>
Old Mr. Blackwood looked thoroughly disapproving. “They’re not even engaged yet p>
Patton laughed again. “For young people these days, once they’ve confirmed their feelings, they’re a couple. An engagement is just a formality. If NIC and Miss
Lancaster want to get engaged, they can do it anytime p>
Old Mr. Blackwood turned to Serena, his expression immediately shifting to a brilliant smile. “Serena, what do you say? When would you like to get engaged to that little brat p>
Serena was at a loss for words.
She had a feeling that this back-and-forth between Old Mr. Blackwood and Patton was a setup.
Were they just waiting to spring that last question on her?
She wanted to explain that she and Nicholas… weren’t in that kind of relationship yet.
But looking at the “we know everything” expressions on Old Mr. Blackwood’s and Patton’s faces, and considering how the scene felt a lot like being caught in a compromising position p>
Anything she said would just sound like a weak excuse.
She felt like she was in a hole she couldn’t dig herself out of.
Fuming, Serena turned and glared at Nicholas.
But the culprit simply offered a sly smile, his fox-like eyes curving.
The light dancing in them was like an overflowing spring, threatening to drown her.
It was utterly bewitching.
Serena felt her ears grow even hotter, the heat threatening to spread across her entire face.
She nervously clenched her hands.
Then, she moved, her voice a little dry and rushed. “I-I should go find my parents. They’re probably getting anxious waiting for me p>
With that, she started walking toward the exit of the hall.
After a few steps, she suddenly remembered something.
She turned back, snatched the food container from the table, and snapped the lid
shut.
Then, without a change in expression, she walked away with it.
Even if she was leaving, she was taking the food with her.
After all that disruption from the shameless fox, she hadn’t even finished eating.
And his cooking… was really to her taste.
Nicholas watched her walk away, food container in hand, her steps as steady as
ever.
She seemed completely unfazed.
But… her pace was just a little faster than usual.
It really did look like she was making a hasty retreat.
Nicholas’s lips curved into a low chuckle, his captivating eyes narrowing into
crescents, sending out ripples of amusement.
As soon as Serena left, Old Mr.
Blackwood’s face fell. He tapped his cane forcefully on the ground and looked at his grandson with disgust. “Look at you, so useless. You’ve been chasing her for this long and sulfhaven’t won fier over. What a waste of the good looks the Blackwood family passed down to you p>