Chapter 772: Recognition
Alex thought, 'Perhaps Clara would look down on me after learning about my poor family background, and then I and Clara could cut off contact.'
After thinking it over, Alex took the initiative to explain his family background.
"Is it City E in Serenity?" Clara asked.
Alex replied, "Yes, my family is from the countryside. My parents are ordinary farmers. I also have an older sister who is married, and her husband is a farmer too."
In fact, her husband wasn't a farmer but ran a business back home. Occasionally, Alex would offer him some advice based on his own experience. Now, her husband's business was doing quite well, and they lived a comfortable life back home.
To thank his sister and her husband for taking care of his parents, Alex sent them some money every year for their expenses.
If his parents were willing to move to the big city, he would have brought them to live there.
"Is the countryside fun?" Clara asked curiously.
She had seen the countryside while traveling for work. Her impression was that it was full of fields and farms, with farmers working under the hot sun, but they always seemed to be smiling happily.
"It's okay. Life in the countryside is tough. You have to work every day; if you don't work, you don't eat. When I was little, we lived in a wooden house without a private bathroom. In the summer, we had to bathe in the river."
"Bathe in public? Can you swim?" Clara asked in surprise.
"Sort of." Alex suddenly didn't know what to say. He wanted to make the countryside sound tough, but Clara seemed to be enjoying the story and even seemed to yearn for it.
"Why did you stop? Tell me more. I want to hear about the interesting things in the countryside," Clara urged.
Alex fell silent.
Clara chuckled to herself; he couldn't scare her at all.
Alex realized his plan seemed to have failed, so he didn't want to say more.
Paxton gave Soren a look, and they both found an excuse to leave.
"Alex, your parents must have worked very hard to raise you. They must be excellent people to have educated you so well." Clara said.
Alex looked at her in confusion.
Clara gave him an encouraging look. "So don't feel inferior because of your background."
"Some people are born in Rome, but Rome is so big and full of people. Who dares to say they are the best in Rome?" Clara blinked sincerely.
Alex felt a surge of emotion and stared at Clara, suddenly feeling an impulse.
"You..."
Clara waited for him to speak, but he suddenly stopped.
"What do you want to say?"
"Nothing."
Clara lowered her head in disappointment and continued eating.
"Alex."
"What?"
"Do you really not remember what you did to me last night?"
"What?"
'Did I really bully Clara last night?' Alex wondered.
"Never mind. If you forgot, you forgot."
Alex was flustered. "Sorry, I..."
"I'm full." Clara stood up. "I'm going back to my room for a nap. I have a lot of work to do this afternoon. I wish you and Paxton a safe journey."
Alex pressed his lips together and said nothing, watching Clara leave.
He was afraid.
He was just an assistant; how could he be worthy of a girl from a wealthy family like Clara?
In the afternoon, Alex and Paxton boarded the plane. Clara watched a plane fly by in the sky, holding a cup of coffee, and thought of last night's kiss.
She didn't believe Alex had no feelings for her.
Two days later, Clara finished her work and returned to City B. She brought some nutritional supplements to visit Ruth at the Lancaster Manor.
Ruth was very happy and warmly welcomed her.
At the dinner table, Ruth asked about her and Alex.
Clara blushed. "Grandma Lancaster, I feel like Alex doesn't like me."
"What do you mean?" Ruth asked in surprise.
"He blows hot and cold with me, and I can't figure him out," Clara replied.
Ruth knew Alex well, having been by Gabriel's side for many years. He was nothing like his cousin Dylan.
Both were kids from the countryside, but Alex had become successful through his own efforts, while Dylan always wanted to take shortcuts and had bad intentions.
"I'm afraid to ask his feelings on me. I'm scared it's just one-sided," Clara said, lowering her head in frustration.
Ruth felt a pang of sympathy.
Clara was her favorite among all the girls from wealthy families. Clara was delicate but bold in love and hate. She would express her feelings if she liked someone and would say so if she didn't, able to pick up and let go.
Clara's admiration for Gabriel was pure admiration and appreciation. Now, looking at her feelings for Alex, she might really be in love.
Ruth lovingly patted Clara's head.
"Don't worry, leave it to me. I'll find out how he feels about you. If he doesn't like you but keeps stringing you along, I'll have Gabriel punish him."
Clara smiled happily.
"Thank you, Grandma Lancaster."
Clara had lunch with Ruth and then went back to the company to organize the matters of Inspire Tech Solutions.
On the weekend, Ruth invited Alex and Harrison to her home for a meal, saying that Gabriel and Sophia were not home, and the three kids had gone to theBlackwood Manor for the week. She felt lonely so sheinvited them over for a meal.
Harrison was sweet-talking, making Ruth laugh constantly.
Alex was a bit quiet, silently helping Betty with chores.
After dinner, Ruth gathered them in the yard for coffee.
Ruth's eyes scanned Alex.
"Alex, you're not young anymore."
Harrison said, "Indeed, not young."
Alex remained silent.
"Are you considering marriage?" Ruth asked directly.
"If I find the right person, I will consider it," Alex answered honestly.
"Do you have someone in mind now?"
"Not yet."
Harrison questioned, "Not yet?"
He was about to expose Alex and Clara's ambiguous relationship when he received a look from Ruth and immediately shut his mouth.
Ruth chuckled, "That's perfect. I have some suitable candidates here. Take a look."
Ruth handed Alex an iPad.
"These are the candidates I've selected. This young lady has a bit of a temper, but it's not a big deal."
Ruth's candidates were all girls from wealthy families, and Alex saw Clara's photo among them.
"This is the heir to the Taylor Bank, the one I asked you to take care of in the hospital. You should be familiar with Clara. I won't say more. Look and see who you like, and I'll introduce you."
Alex put down the iPad. "Thank you, Ruth, but I..."
"Don't underestimate yourself, Alex. You've been with Gabriel for so many years, how can you still lack confidence? If I didn't think you were good enough, I wouldn't introduce you to so many good girls."
Ruth's words were full of recognition for Alex.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
