CHAPTER 26: CHAPTER 26: YOU LOOKED REALLY CUTE WHEN YOU WERE NERVOUS

On the other side, in Crestwood.

Quinn Hughes’ father, Benjamin Hughes, was found guilty of crime, and the prosecution is about to file charges.

Master Hughes Eugene Hughes knew very well what his son had done and realized that Benjamin was not getting away this time.

With his son about to go to jail, his daughter-in-law absconding with money, and the family business unable to be saved, Master Hughes was severely affected and suffered a sudden cerebral hemorrhage, landing him in the hospital.

Master Hughes couldn’t be resuscitated and passed away on the night of the fourth day of the new year.

Quinn Hughes cried so hard in the hospital that she was gasping for breath.

Mr. Sutton Graham Sutton went to bid Master Hughes a final farewell.

Quinn Hughes became an orphan.

Out of gratitude for Master Hughes’ kindness, Graham Sutton brought Quinn Hughes back to the Sutton Family.

Isaac Sutton had been downcast and wasted away for days, locking himself in his room, drinking all day long.

The curtains in the room were tightly closed, blocking out any trace of light.

Isaac Sutton sat on the floor, leaning against the foot of the bed, surrounded by a floor full of cigarette butts and bottles.

In the smoky, filthy room, Isaac Sutton was unshaven, with dark circles under his eyes, looking lifeless and hopeless.

"Bang bang bang—" the room was violently knocked on.

Graham Sutton’s angry voice echoed at the door, "Isaac Sutton, get out here!"

Isaac Sutton acted as if he were deaf, remaining seated on the floor, unmoving.

"If you don’t come out, I’m going to kick the door down!" Graham Sutton shouted angrily.

Isaac Sutton remained unaffected, holding an empty wine bottle, whispering through his tears, "Clara, Clara..."

He had tried every possible means he could think of but still couldn’t find Clara Sterling.

From initial sadness and regret to now feeling life is meaningless, it took just over a month for Isaac Sutton.

Just after Isaac and Clara Sterling lost contact, he was only anxious and uncomfortable, without any major life impact.

Later, he went to Clara Sterling’s house and learned that Mrs. Sterling had cancer and recalled Clara borrowing money from him, at that time he was pretending to be poor, Isaac Sutton viciously slapped himself several times, his face getting swollen.

After returning from the Sterling Family, Isaac locked himself in his room, refusing to eat or go anywhere, reliving his memories with Clara in a self-abusing manner daily.

Every time he remembered, he deeply hated himself, and could only rely on smoking and drinking to relieve his pain.

Initially, Graham Sutton ignored his behavior, letting him go as he pleased, while Judy Bishop was heartbroken for her son, constantly pleading with him, but Isaac Sutton paid no attention.

Now that the Hughes Family is in trouble, Quinn Hughes became an orphan, with nowhere to go, Graham Sutton wants his son to marry Quinn Hughes, as a way to repay Master Hughes’ kindness.

Isaac Sutton still refused to open the door.

Graham Sutton violently kicked the door open.

...

On the morning of the fifth day, Silas Sheffield and Sophie Sheffield set off for Crestwood.

Before leaving, Silas Sheffield arranged everything for Yvonne Sterling and instructed the housekeeper and maid to take good care of Clara Sterling.

Clara Sterling saw them off to the airport.

Outside the security checkpoint, Sophie Sheffield hugged Clara Sterling, "Clara darling, I’ll come back to see you in a few days. You can video call me when you’re bored."

Clara Sterling smiled slightly, "Okay."

Her gaze fell on the man in the distance.

Silas Sheffield stood tall and slender, his gray coat looking better on him than on a model, exuding an aloof, unapproachable icy aura.

But Clara Sterling knew that Silas Sheffield was actually very kind, not as cold as his appearance suggested.

Silas Sheffield was currently sideways on the phone with Clara.

Seemingly sensing her gaze, Silas subtly turned to meet Clara Sterling’s eyes.

Clara Sterling’s gaze paused for a moment and then awkwardly looked away.

Ever since Silas Sheffield personally told her that he dealt with the Hughes Family and Shaw Family for her sake, Clara Sterling’s heart can’t help but race every time she sees Silas Sheffield.

She couldn’t explain why.

She dared not think deeply.

Silas Sheffield still didn’t know that upon returning to Crestwood, Mr. Sheffield and Mrs. Sheffield would arrange a blind date for him; Sophie Sheffield had listened to Mrs. Sheffield and hadn’t told him.

The Sheffield Group’s headquarters was in Crestwood, and Silas Sheffield couldn’t stay in Veridian all the time with a pile of business waiting for him to handle.

Clara Sterling withdrew her gaze as Silas Sheffield finished his call and walked towards her.

Passing Clara Sterling, Silas Sheffield only said two words, "Leaving."

Clara Sterling lowered her eyes, not daring to look directly at him, whispering softly, "Mm, safe travels."

Sophie Sheffield had already turned around to queue for the security check.

Waiting for his sister to walk a bit farther away, Silas Sheffield took out a velvet box from his coat pocket and handed it to Clara Sterling, "Wedding ring."

Clara Sterling’s breath faltered, her heart racing unexpectedly.

Silas Sheffield’s tone was flat, "Earlier, seeing your concern for Mom’s health, I didn’t bring up the ring matter."

Mom...

It took Clara Sterling even two seconds to react to Silas Sheffield referring to Yvonne Sterling as "Mom."

Though they had been married for over a month, she still hadn’t seen herself in the role of Mrs. Sheffield.

Silas Sheffield calling her "Mom" so easily made Clara Sterling surprised.

She remembered the day they got their marriage license, Silas Sheffield asked when they’d take wedding photos, and she said she wasn’t in the mood.

Later, the wedding photos weren’t taken, and the ring wasn’t chosen.

Clara Sterling had even forgotten about the wedding ring.

At this moment, Sophie Sheffield turned to look over.

Clara Sterling immediately nervously stuffed the ring box into her coat pocket.

"N-no problem." She stammered with anxiety.

Silas Sheffield’s lips curved into a slight smile as he reached out to ruffle Clara’s hair.

This action was almost instinctive, even he was taken aback.

Having finished ruffling Clara’s hair, Silas Sheffield was momentarily stunned.

Clara Sterling hardly dared to breathe, her heart palpating as if it would leap out.

Fortunately, Sophie Sheffield had already turned her head away, missing this ambiguous gesture.

"Sorry, it was instinctive." Silas Sheffield explained, "Just thought you looked really cute when you were nervous just now."

The man’s voice was deep and magnetic, carrying a light smile in his eyes and brow as he spoke.

This was the first time Clara Sterling saw Silas Sheffield smile.

It turns out he looks so handsome when he smiles.

Clara Sterling’s mind went blank for a moment.

She didn’t know how to respond.

Silas Sheffield spoke again, "Call me anytime if you need anything."

After speaking, the man turned and headed towards the security checkpoint.

Clara Sterling stood dazed, watching the retreating figure, feeling a mix of emotions.

...

"I don’t agree." Judy Bishop’s face was cold, "With the Hughes Family in this situation, asking Isaac to marry Quinn Hughes is pushing our son into a pit of fire!"

Graham Sutton’s expression was cold and somber, "Master Hughes did me a favor, and previously I couldn’t help the Hughes Family, now that the master is gone, giving his granddaughter a good home is also a way of repaying, didn’t you like Quinn that girl before? Why are you opposing it now?"

Judy Bishop’s tone carried anger, "What was the situation before, and what is the situation now? I was indeed quite satisfied with Quinn before, and the Hughes Family and our family were matches, but now Benjamin Hughes is going to prison, and you want our son to marry Quinn Hughes?"

Graham Sutton also got angry, "How can you be so snobbish, Master Hughes did me a great favor, I can’t just ignore his only granddaughter!"

"Snobbish?" Judy Bishop laughed, "Good, very good! Graham Sutton, you are truly generous with others’ lives, Master Hughes may have helped you, but he did nothing for me, I didn’t even know you when he helped you, you want to repay, go ahead and repay, but repaying by sacrificing our son’s lifelong happiness?"

Graham Sutton’s face was dark, tense, not knowing how to respond.

Those words were indeed true.

Judy Bishop said coldly, "I definitely won’t agree to this marriage."

Outside the door, Quinn Hughes lowered her eyes, a glint of coldness flashed, clenching her fists.