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."
Elianna sneered. If she were to tell the truth, it would cause a scene in the Larsen family.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: His Dangerous Love