Chapter 905 I Want to Marry You, Not as a PR Move, But Because I Like You!
In the dining room on the first floor of The Hawkins Mansion.
When Bruce came downstairs, the Hawkins family members were both surprised and unsurprised. They had set a place for him, complete with a bottle of wine.
Johnny greeted him warmly, "Bruce, it's a rare treat to have you here! I hear you're quite the drinker at social events. My leg's not up to it, and Kingsley's drinking capacity is pretty average. So, I invited Gavin to join us to make sure you have a good time!"
As he spoke, he placed another bottle of wine in front of Bruce.
Bruce smiled wryly.
Knowing this would be a tough evening, he decided to sit down and accept it graciously. "I should be the one entertaining you all!"
He poured himself a small glass of wine and downed three shots in quick succession.
Not even a flinch.
Johnny thought to himself, 'Impressive stamina!'
He gave Gavin a look, signaling that only Gavin could match Bruce at this table.
Gavin smiled faintly.
He lit a cigarette, taking slow, relaxed drags, exuding the calm demeanor of a happily married man.
He wouldn't challenge Bruce right away; there were others to go first.
Bruce respectfully toasted Frederick and Charlotte, addressing them as "Sir" and "Madam", though their relationship was almost transparent, just shy of calling them "Mom" and "Dad".
Frederick didn't make things difficult for him, leaving that to the younger generation.
After Bruce showed his loyalty, Dione reluctantly accepted the challenge of drinking with him.
Of course, Bruce wasn't entirely submissive. He knew appearing too weak would be a disadvantage.
So, when Lola and Sienna came downstairs, they saw Bruce had taken off his expensive jacket, a cigarette in his mouth, chatting with the Hawkins family members.
He had one hand on the armrest of Sienna's chair, showing a hint of intimacy.
When Sienna approached, Bruce immediately stood up and pulled out her chair for her.
He smiled slightly and continued his conversation with the men.
Sienna noticed Bruce had probably drunk quite a bit, but his face was only slightly flushed, adding a touch of charm.
She knew her brothers were trying to stand up for her, so she didn't interfere.
She didn't fuss over Bruce either. Instead, he served her food during breaks in the conversation, speaking clearly despite the alcohol.
Johnny thought, 'He's already downed at least half a bottle!'
Gavin thought, 'I've met my match!'
The meal dragged on for two hours, with Bruce finally succumbing to the relentless drinking.
Gavin loosened his tie and exhaled, "If it were just a one-on-one, I might not have outdrunk him!"
Of course, in his younger days, he wouldn't have lost.
But now, Bruce was in his prime, while they were all nearing or past forty. They couldn't compete with someone in their early thirties.
After dinner, everyone retired to their rooms.
Bruce was helped to Sienna's bedroom by the servants to rest for a while.
Going back to the Taylor family in his current state would be too disgraceful!
Bruce, rarely drunk, slept until the evening.
When he woke up, he was lying on the sofa.
The scent of a woman's room filled his nose, letting Bruce know where he was. He felt too lazy to move.
Downstairs, the clinking of dishes could be heard.
It seemed dinner was being prepared again.
Another round of drinking, and he wouldn't be able to handle it.
Gavin was the best drinker in the Hawkins family, and he had already knocked Bruce out with a few rounds.
The light was blinding, and Bruce shielded his eyes with his hand.
A small figure tiptoed in and moved his hand away.
Bruce saw it was a five or six-year-old child, clearly Lola and Johnny's offspring.
The kid looked just like his cunning father.
But Bruce didn't dislike children; in fact, he liked them, especially good-looking ones.
He turned and pulled Stella to sit beside him.
Stella mimicked Johnny's voice, "Daddy says he has to knock Bruce out again tonight!"
She thought she did a good job.
Bruce couldn't help but laugh.
Even though he had a headache, his good mood wasn't affected. Maybe it was the pleasant atmosphere!
In the Taylor family, he was the eldest grandson, bearing heavy responsibilities. His cousins were all irresponsible, only knowing how to spend money lavishly.
But the Hawkins family was different; they were very close-knit!
Bruce didn't know back in the day, they fought fiercely.
For Lola, Johnny had taken countless beatings from the Hawkins family members.
Bruce patted Stella's head and asked softly, "Why are you telling me this?"
Stella thought seriously for a moment, "Aunt Sienna told me to tell you!"
Sienna?
Bruce felt a warm sensation in his heart, but then Stella added, "Aunt Sienna said she's worried you'll die before her reputation is restored and the shares are in her hands!"
Bruce was speechless.
Stella leaned in, examining him closely, touching his face and prominent nose.
Finally, she gave a very adult-like nod of approval, "You are good-looking! I, on behalf of the moon, approve of you being with Aunt Sienna!"
Bruce was speechless.
Stella jumped off the sofa and ran away!
Thinking about the evening's dinner, Bruce felt a headache coming on. He lay there, not wanting to move.
After a while, the sound of a car engine starting came from downstairs, followed by the bedroom door opening.
Sienna walked in.
Bruce turned his head to look at her.
She had changed into a dress, her long hair braided into a fishtail braid, softening her appearance.
But she looked beautiful no matter what.
Bruce reached out his hand, inviting her over.
When she sat beside him, he pulled her closer and whispered with his eyes closed, "Did your brothers go out to buy more wine?"
Sienna replied with some annoyance, "They went home! They've let you off the hook!"
Bruce opened his eyes, "What about us?"
Sienna thought for a moment and said, "You should leave while they're gone. Staying for another meal would be too intimate!"
Bruce thought about it and agreed.
The Hawkins family's eldest son, son-in-law, and nephew hadn't stayed for dinner.
It wouldn't be appropriate for him to stay, especially since he hadn't successfully proposed yet.
But at this moment, he was reluctant to leave.
Bruce didn't say anything, just gently held Sienna's wrist, playing with her hand.
They hadn't had such a peaceful, intimate moment before.
In the past, their intimacy was only about passion.
Later, when things were calm, there was no intimacy.
Now, it was just right!
Bruce liked Sienna, and he could tell she liked him too, though she was too reserved to admit it.
Bruce whispered, "I want to marry you, not as a PR move, but because I truly want to."
Sienna looked at him.
Her expression was soft, a side of her he hadn't noticed before.
Bruce pulled her down, his soft lips brushing hers, not a deep kiss.
Their noses touched lightly.
An indescribable intimacy.
After a moment, Bruce said hoarsely, "I have to go. Staying too late would be inappropriate. I'll come back with my parents another day."
"By the way, are you free tomorrow?"
He wanted to ask Sienna out.
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