CHAPTER 178: CHAPTER 178 GREED

However, just as she started to make a move, Clara dodged swiftly, her demeanor turning serious as she said, "Unless you can clearly explain the whole situation to me, I won’t allow you to touch me so easily."

Seeing this, William could only smile helplessly as he withdrew his hand, "Actually, I was afraid that telling you this would make you worry more. For me, besides my young wife, there’s nothing else worth caring about."

Of course, in this warm yet sensitive moment, such unusual thoughts were naturally impossible to express directly to her.

Moreover, even those things that were not true, he never intended to tell her.

Because William clearly knew that even a small lie could become one of the factors destroying the precious trust between them.

Yet despite such caution, he still chose to take a risk, continuing to explore forward in this unknown, variable-filled minefield.

He felt particularly guilty for using such a trick on Clara, but he dared to do so.

This feeling was like throwing a small stone into a calm lake, the ripples small yet enough to break the tranquility of the water surface.

He knew that this approach was somewhat unscrupulous, but he was willing to do it for his own purpose.

He was a greedy person, so he hoped Clara would care more about him, worry more about him, letting her beautiful eyes be filled with him.

The tenderness and attention in her eyes seemed to warm every corner of his heart, making him feel unprecedented satisfaction.

In his view, only in this way would she stay by his side more, giving him more care and support.

William Foster: "I...don’t want you to worry about my matters on top of already tiring work. Moreover, the uncles are exhausted because of the new company’s matters. They said if I weren’t so useless, they wouldn’t be so tired. Now they’re suffering because of my incompetence."

These words came out of his mouth with a sense of helplessness and self-blame, each sentence seemingly as heavy as a stone, making one’s heart ache.

In fact, he himself clearly understood that these things were not entirely his fault, but to arouse her sympathy, he spoke such words.

When Clara heard these words, fire sprang up in her eyes: "Those old guys! I already warned them last time not to mention your health problems again. Clearly, they have no memory! It’s all my fault; I’ve been too polite to them, so they still dare to bother you."

Her anger flared like flames in her eyes, evidently deeply hurt by those words.

She wished she could immediately go find those elders to settle accounts, demanding why they said such things about her husband.

William Foster hastily grasped her hand: "Wife, please don’t create conflict with the uncles for my sake, okay? I don’t want you to get hurt; after all, they are my family no matter how wrong they are..."

His tone was earnest and anxious, fearing that this matter might ruin their harmony.

Despite feeling very dissatisfied with some family members’ attitudes internally, he still hoped to maintain a superficial peace.

Well, it couldn’t really get to a point of no return; after all, they hadn’t done anything wrong.

Though slightly dissatisfied, considering the long run was necessary, they couldn’t allow the relationship to become too rigid over minor issues.

The three uncles: What sins did we commit in a past life that led us to be born into the Foster family and become the uncles of this hapless William in this life?

They occasionally couldn’t help but ponder this question, why they got involved in such a complex situation.

Whenever William Foster came to their mind, the young and vulnerable image of him surfaced, stirring both pity and helplessness.

Clara had no idea about William Foster’s pitiful act; she never thought that a man could put on such a performance.

In her past experiences, her techniques in dealing with jerks were well-practiced, so she handled them easily when facing Samuel Grant.

However, when William Foster mastered this style, she was entirely unprepared, falling into a passive position, skillfully guided onto the path he expected.

Clara also felt it was unfair for William Foster: "You’re just too kind! What’s the use of being so good? They don’t appreciate it at all, instead having you put your feet in cold water. Do you know, even though your legs have no feeling, doing so will harm your health. The cold seeps in from the feet, and you’ll get sick!"

William Foster didn’t think of that, but Clara’s words gave him a new idea.

He secretly decided to become ill on time tomorrow to draw their attention.

Right now, with pale lips, he gave a smile that was both fragile and melancholic, "Then I won’t soak them anymore; I’ll listen to you. Wife, don’t be angry, okay? I’m really happy to see you back. Are you happy to see me too?"

Clara looked up at him, seeing his eyes both fragile and charming, and her heart fluttered uncontrollably.

She couldn’t help but respond, "What’s there to be happy about? I’m so upset I don’t even want to eat."

William Foster chuckled, "You said you’d come back tomorrow, but you rushed here today. Clearly, you missed me and were in a hurry to see me, right?"

He slowly moved closer to Clara, his voice low and magnetic, filled with allure.

Clara blushed; she didn’t understand what was going on with William Foster. In other issues, he always appeared to be wronged and bullied, but in such matters, he could act so assertively and proactively.

This contrast left her with a somewhat complex feeling.

Clara didn’t want to admit she was stirred by his words, so she took a step back, released his foot, and said, "I’ll call the servant to get you some hot water for your feet so they won’t get cold."

William Foster deliberately used a nonchalant tone: "No need to trouble yourself; my feet are already useless, I can’t feel much, and I’m not afraid of the cold."

Clara frowned, "Don’t say things like that anymore."

William Foster immediately became very obedient, nodding quickly in agreement, "Okay, I’ll listen to my wife."

Clara looked deeply into William Foster’s eyes, silently pondering something.

Her heart seemed filled with many questions and contemplations, but she didn’t voice them, only withdrawing her gaze and quietly leaving the room.

She exited the door to find Zam waiting outside.

For the first time, Clara addressed Zam so seriously, saying earnestly, "Zam, you’ve been with William for quite some years, right? I think his smooth challenges over these years must have something to do with your contributions."

Zam modestly shook his head, smiling as he replied, "I wouldn’t dare to presume, Young Madam; you’re too kind. In fact, everything Mr. William Foster has been through these years is a result of his effort."