Chapter 863 Mr. Devereux, You're Quite Conservative!
As the two were talking, the servant's voice came from the doorway. "Ms. Devereux, Mr. Percy, dinner's ready."
Haven was asleep, and Natalie was worried.
"I'll eat in my room," she said.
The servant then asked, "What about Mr. Percy?"
Clayton wanted to stay with her, but he was currently relying on Chance's status to move around the Devereux Mansion. It wasn't as comfortable as it used to be.
After thinking it over, he decided to go to the dining room.
After dinner, he brought Chance over. The few-month-old baby was hungry.
Natalie took Chance and turned her back to feed him.
Clayton knew she didn't like being watched, so he sat on the living room sofa and scrolled through his phone.
He came across news about Grant and stared at it for a long time.
Just like Natalie said, Grant was married with a child. Why was he still holding on?
Maybe it was guilt.
Because Natalie didn't care about him anymore, he became particularly concerned about other men, especially when she met with Grant. He cared a lot but didn't dare to ask too much.
When Chance finished eating, Clayton held him and complained about his low status.
Chance didn't understand a word, blinking his big eyes.
Natalie came out after tidying up her clothes.
Clayton casually asked, "Did you go on a date last week?"
Natalie nodded, "Yes, I met someone."
Clayton didn't ask further, but he cared.
He knew it was because they hadn't made any progress. The Devereux family would always introduce someone to her, and she couldn't refuse, so she occasionally went to meet them, but she never took it seriously.
Still, Clayton cared.
He cared that she dressed up just to meet a stranger.
He wanted to bring up old issues, but Natalie changed the subject. "When are you going back to Syeattel? Doesn't the company have a project that needs you?"
Clayton leaned back on the sofa, "I can manage it remotely from Copenhegan."
He asked her, "Do you want to go back?"
Natalie replied naturally, "I'll go back after the New Year in Copenhegan. During the Fireworks Festival holiday, Haven will stay with Grant for a few days."
Clayton couldn't stay calm, "What about you?"
Natalie said, "He has a wife and children. Am I supposed to stay there too?"
Clayton cleared his throat, "That's not what I meant!"
At this point, Natalie had to make things clear. "Clayton, right now, the only thing between us is Chance. I have the freedom to see whoever I want. Technically, it's not appropriate for you to stay at the Devereux Mansion either."
Clayton looked deeply at her and couldn't help but ask, "Natalie, after all this time, have you ever thought about me? About us being together again?"
Natalie was honest, "I have thought about it, but not much."
When she thought about it, she was rational, considering the practical aspects.
Without impulsiveness, it was put aside and gradually cooled down.
She thought it wasn't worth forcing things for Chance, and she didn't want to force herself either.
Clayton understood her meaning.
He didn't push her further.
He said he would stay, but he left for Syeattel early the next morning, returning only for the Fireworks Festival.
When Clayton drove back, Andrew was watering flowers in the greenhouse.
Hearing the car, Andrew snorted, "He really treats this place like home, coming and going as he pleases!"
Gavin, who had returned with his wife and kids, found it amusing.
Andrew asked him, "Why aren't you worried? Your sister is still single in her thirties."
Gavin smiled, "There's a man around, so what's the rush? As long as someone takes care of the kids and supports her, isn't that the greatest joy for a single woman?"
Andrew replied sternly, "What nonsense! A proper family is what's needed. Clayton has no status, coming and going from our house, making people talk."
Gavin chuckled, "Mr. Devereux, you're quite conservative!"
Andrew splashed him with the watering can.
Gavin surrendered and went out to meet Clayton.
Copenhegan was freezing in winter.
Gavin wore a thick sweater and walked to the car.
He saw the expensive gifts in Clayton's trunk and noticed Clayton's well-built physique, showing he had spent a lot of time working out, probably to be ready for the right moment.
Chasing after his wife was hard work.
Gavin took two boxes of cigarettes, "My dad quit smoking, so these are mine."
Clayton turned and handed him a cigarette, casually asking, "Where's Natalie?"
Gavin checked his watch, "She went shopping with my mom. By the way, Chance is sleeping. You should check on him; he might need a diaper change."
Clayton put down his things and greeted Andrew before heading to the main house.
Andrew watched Gavin, "You just let him in?"
Gavin replied, "What else? Charge him an entrance fee?"
Andrew pretended to be unhappy, "It's just an extra set of dishes and someone to help with the children. Natalie can relax a bit."
Gavin knew him well.
He supported Andrew, walking with him in the garden.
Under the wisteria tree, Andrew pointed and said, "My mom used to bring your mom here to trim the branches, but your mom never knew how to do it."
His eyes grew moist, probably thinking of his mother.
Gavin felt a bit sad too.
He often heard Chloe say that Andrew loved to exercise. Even at his age, he still ran three miles a day.
Though he never said it, Gavin knew he wanted to spend more years with Chloe and see Natalie settled.
But Andrew never pressured them.
Gavin used to comfort himself, thinking there was plenty of time.
But as the years passed, Andrew really aged and wasn't as spry as before.
Gavin started returning to Copenhegan more often to see Andrew.
He also brought his kids back.
A third of the Devereux Group's business had expanded to Copenhegan. The family relied on Gavin for decisions, and Andrew, though more relaxed, couldn't stop his hair from turning gray.
"What are you thinking about?"
Andrew saw Gavin lost in thought and guessed what he was thinking, his tone not pleasant.
Gavin smiled, "Thinking about tonight's reunion dinner."
By now, dusk had fallen.
Andrew softly said, "Then why don't you go check on the servants' preparations!"
Gavin quickly went to do it.
Once Gavin was out of sight, Andrew pulled out a medical report from his pocket.
He had spent some money to get it from outside, and the report's numbers were all bad.
Andrew quietly threw the report in the yard.
A moment later, Clayton walked by and picked it up.
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