Chapter 561 Dating with Marriage in Mind
Nearby, Anya barely dared to breathe. Girlfriend? As far as she knew, Jacob's blind date had been unsuccessful—was he doing this just to spite Nicole?
After a long moment, Nicole found her voice. She turned to Delphine and made the introductions. "This is my brother Jacob Windsor, and this is his girlfriend."
She had never met Serafina before and wasn't sure how to address her properly.
Serafina, however, knew exactly who Nicole was. Her sister Isadora moved in business circles and had mentioned Jacob and Nicole's history. Meeting Nicole for the first time, Serafina couldn't help but feel a spark of curiosity—until she felt a masculine arm drape across her shoulders, snapping her back to reality.
She looked up at Jacob's handsome, aristocratic face. Truth be told, she had been pleased with how the blind date went, but she was also acutely aware of the gulf between them.
From family background to education to social standing, she had no business sitting across from him at that table—her sister Isadora was the one who truly belonged with someone like him.
"Serafina?" Jacob's voice drew her attention.
She quickly forced a smile and greeted Nicole and Delphine. "I'm Serafina Penrose, Jacob's girlfriend."
Though she smiled, her body remained rigid with tension.
Jacob, meanwhile, appeared completely at ease, though his gaze never left Nicole—a look that anyone with eyes could see was far from innocent.
Nicole returned the smile, doing her best to appear natural, but Delphine had lived long enough to recognize the undercurrents. She sensed there was history between Nicole and Jacob, though it didn't particularly concern her—Theron had his share of past relationships too. What worried her was whether Theron could hold his own against Jacob.
Just look at that bearing, that refined presence, that persistent intensity. Could Theron really compete with that?
Though Delphine was an academic, she understood human nature well enough. She lifted the shirt from Nicole's hands as if speaking to herself. "This one would suit Theron perfectly, and the size looks just right too. I swear Theron's put on some weight since the wedding—at six feet tall, he used to be only 140 pounds, which was far too thin."
Nicole murmured her agreement softly.
Jacob's voice carried a slight edge. "I've been back for so long and still haven't congratulated you on your marriage. Serafina and I should take you and your husband out to dinner sometime."
Serafina felt a wave of sympathy for Nicole, though she found herself completely unable to contribute to the conversation.
Nicole recognized his deliberate provocation, but before she could respond, Delphine gently squeezed her hand and addressed Jacob with maternal warmth. "Theron has already discussed this with us. In a few days, we'll be having dinner with your family. You should bring Serafina along—the more people, the merrier."
As an elder, Delphine's invitation left Jacob no room for further maneuvering. He smiled with practiced ease. "Of course." With that, he guided Serafina away.
Anya cast a complicated glance at Nicole before following them out.
In the parking garage, a gleaming sedan waited with the driver already holding the door open. Jacob slipped inside while Serafina remained outside, bending slightly to wave goodbye with a gentle smile.
When she smiled, a small canine tooth showed, giving her an endearing quality that bore a faint resemblance to Nicole.
The driver was about to pull away when Jacob spoke quietly. "Wait."
He leaned back against the leather seat, thin streams of sunlight filtering through the windows and casting shifting shadows across his sharp, handsome features.
He studied Serafina through the glass and spoke softly, "Let's date."
Serafina froze. She thought of Ronan's instructions, of how the Penrose family depended on the Windsor Group's goodwill, and responded with careful deference. "Whenever you need me, just call ahead and I'll request time off from school."
Serafina taught art at Brightlight High School—pleasant-looking with no particular professional distinction, but possessing a uniquely calming presence that made her easy to be around.
She had clearly misunderstood his meaning.
Jacob stepped out of the car and approached her, looking down from his considerable height. They stood close enough that she could catch the fresh scent of tobacco on his clothes—an appealing fragrance that, combined with his striking features, made her heart race unexpectedly.
Jacob's eyes lowered slightly as his lips formed the words. "I mean dating with the intention of marriage. As a real couple."
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