Impulsive Vow to an Enigmatic Husband (END) novel Chapter 1032

Chapter 1032
Marcus said, “It’s cool. They can’t see that well. They won’t notice.”
However, as it turned out, the two old men had eagle eyes. As soon as Cornelia stepped into the yard, Old Mr. Abner caught it, “Marc, Nelly’s lips are all red and puffy. You must’ve had a hand in it. You ain’t a teenage boy anymore, still acting so reckless.”
Cornelia was so embarrassed she even forgot to say hello, only wishing she could find a place to hide.
The other old man cleared his throat, “How about letting Marc introduce his wife first, and then you can spout your nonsense.”
Old Mr. Abner retorted, “What? I was just concerned about Nelly!”
Mr. Augustine replied, “Concerned about her? You’re obviously just messing around. You’re an old man, still teasing girls, don’t you feel ashamed?”
These two were tight back in the day, but now that they were older, they always ended up arguing whenever they met. And once they started, they could go on for hours.
Not wanting to waste any more time, Marcus quickly intervened, “Cornelia, come over here, let me introduce you. This is Mr. Augustine.”
Cornelia stepped forward, gently saying, “Nice to meet you!”
Mr. Augustine eyed Cornelia without any pretense. He was sure it was the first time he’d seen Cornelia tonight, yet he had this inexplicable sense of familiarity, as if they’d met somewhere before, “You’re Cornelia? Where are you from?”
Cornelia replied, “I’m from Rosenberg.”
Mr. Augustine felt a pang of disappointment upon hearing this, “Rosenberg is a nice place. Who else is in your family?”
Cornelia said, “Just me and my sister left in the Stewart family.”
Accidentally touching upon her sorrowful past, Mr. Augustine felt a bit embarrassed, “I’m sorry!”
Cornelia smiled and said, “It’s fine.”
Mr. Augustine then said, “Why don’t you and Marc sit down. It’s eight o’clock already, you must be hungry, I’ll have the dinner served.”
Old Mr. Abner said to Mr. Augustine, “See, I told you Nelly was charming. You should’ve trusted my judgement, no rebuttals.”
Mr. Augustine replied, “Who said I was fond of her?”
Old Mr. Abner said, “If you’re not fond of her, then keep your distance, I’ll sit next to her.”
Mr. Augustine retorted, “I’ll sit beside her. Maybe I’ll get to see her good points, then admit that Marc made a good choice.”
Marcus chimed in, “Cornelia is great, one of a kind.”
Mr. Augustine said, “I didn’t say she wasn’t.”
If he thought Cornelia wasn’t good, he wouldn’t have spoken to her at all. It was precisely because he thought she was good that he said all this.
Old Mr. Abner said, “Marc, he’s just too stubborn to admit it.”
Mr. Augustine said, “If you do not what to say, you can keep silent.”
Old Mr. Abner said, “If I keep quiet and let you do all the talking, you’d make us all feel awkward.”
Mr. Augustine retorted, “Try shutting up and see if I make everyone feel awkward.”
And so the two old men started bickering again.
Listening to them, Cornelia felt warmth. Mr. Augustine’s hair was gray. He was said to be close in age to Old Mr. Abner, but he seemed a decade older. Not sure if it was because he was busy with charity work, or because the early loss of his wife and children hit him too hard.