Chapter 69
Kingsley tapped his knuckles on the table and said, “Bring a bottle of red wine p>
“Yes.” The servant turned to fetch it.
Old Mrs. Sherwood, at the head of the table, glanced at him but said nothing.
Before long, Susan and Bacchus entered the dining room, just in time to see Kingsley holding a goblet by the stem, slowly swirling the red wine inside.
“Drinking to celebrate something?” Susan raised an eyebrow.
Kingsley looked up at her indifferently. “Does drinking have to be a celebration? Can’t I just be thirsty p>
Bacchus glanced at him, his tone impatient. “If you’re thirsty, just drink. Don’t spout nonsense p>
“Ms. Talmadge asked me something. I can’t just ignore her-that would be rude p>
As Kingsley spoke, he brought the glass to his lips for a sip.
“Have you lost in mind today? Shut up!” Old Mrs. Sherwood frowned and glared at him.
Susan, however, laughed, playing along. “Who dares say you’re impolite? Rumor has it that Mr. Sherwood is noble and self-possessed, a gentleman with outstanding ability and striking looks p>
Saying this, she signaled the servant to pour her a glass of red wine as well.
“You said yourself it’s a rumor. How credible can rumors be p>
Kingsley replied faintly, raising his glass to lightly clink it against Old Mrs. Sherwood’s.
Throughout the meal, almost every sentence Kingsley spoke was a jab at Susan. Old Mrs. Sherwood remained silent the entire time, while Bacchus occasionally spoke up to scold Kingsley, trying to suppress his aggression.
After dinner dispersed, Kingsley paced to the back garden and leaned back on the swing, his eyes lightly closed, his fingertips still cool from the wine glass.
After a while, footsteps approached. Bacchus sat on the stone bench beside him
and handed him a bottle of mineral water. “Run into trouble at work p>
Kingsley curled his lip, took the water, unscrewed it, and drank a few mouthfuls. His tone was casual. “No p>
“Then is it because of feelings p>
Bacchus asked tentatively.
He suddenly remembered that today was Joyce’s mother’s birthday. After a moment of silence, he spoke slowly Kingsley some people and some things… once they’re past, you should let them go. You should cherish the people right before you p>
Kingsley didn’t reply, simply asking himself internally: “Cherish the people right before me? But are the people right before me worth it p>
A trace of bitterness unconsciously spread across the corner of his mouth.
He looked up at Bacchus and changed the subject. “Are you really planning to accept an arranged marriage? The example is right there. Have you thought it through p>
“Not all arranged marriages are like theirs,” Bacchus sighed softly.
“Kingsley, I don’t expect you to treat Mom well, but don’t always be at her throat. She… is also a victim of this marriage p>
Kingsley drained the remaining
water in the bottle, his fingers
tightening slightly around the empty
plastic. “I’m not treating her well
enough I’ve paid every last bill she’s
had for years p>
Bacchus looked up at the night sky, helplessness hidden in his eyes.
He knew better than anyone how unqualified Susan was as a mother. The maternal love Kingsley had missed out on since childhood could never be made up for in this lifetime p>
He could only advise softly, “If you can’t get along, then speak less p>
“I can stay silent.” Kingsley paused, his tone holding a hint of compromise but also a bottom line. “Provided she doesn’t come looking to talk to me p>