Chapter 52 You're Such a Coward
The vibe got weird fast. Garrett looked at Alexander and casually asked, "Heard Victoria's company had some issues recently. How's it going now?"
Alexander glanced at him and replied, "She's great. Handled it herself."
Garrett's mouth twitched. Was Alexander showing off?
"Why do I feel like you're acting all proud and smug?" Garrett raised an eyebrow.
Alexander smirked, "No doubt about it, I am!"
The others had never seen this side of Alexander. Victoria must have quite an influence on him.
Suddenly, the door creaked open.
Victoria walked in with two others. Everyone knew Victoria and Marlowe, but the other woman looked unfamiliar to Caleb.
Lila, seeing the heirs of several wealthy families, gulped nervously. She clung to Victoria's arm with her right hand and Marlowe's arm with her left, seeking comfort.
But then, she felt two cold stares.
Owen adjusted his glasses and looked at Lila expressionlessly.
"Uncle Grant," Lila called out.
Caleb and the others instantly recognized her. She was Lila from the Scott family. They had seen her photo at Grant's place and noted her resemblance to him.
Grant's gaze shifted to Lila's face. "What are you doing here?" he asked coldly.
Those who knew him well sensed a hint of concern in his tone.
"I came with Victoria. We're friends," Lila answered honestly.
Grant was surprised. Lila and Victoria knew each other?
He looked at Victoria, who met his eyes and said coolly, "Grant, Lila's telling the truth."
Grant was more intimidating than Alexander, better at hiding his thoughts. Marlowe was no match for him.
Victoria walked to the vacant seat next to Alexander, with Lila following and sitting next to her, which was also next to Owen.
Marlowe sat next to Caleb since there was no empty seat next to Grant, and she didn't feel comfortable asking Garrett to move.
Grant's cold eyes were fixed on her, but she remained indifferent, not looking at him once.
Caleb wanted to change seats. There was an empty seat next to Owen, but Marlowe chose to sit next to him, which would make Grant hold a grudge.
Caleb kicked Garrett under the table. Garrett frowned and lazily glanced at him, as if to say, "You're such a coward."
Marlowe had no idea what they were thinking.
She had just sat down when Garrett stood up and said, "Marlowe, sit next to Grant. I had something to discuss with him and took your seat."
Marlowe neither looked up nor responded, nor did she get up.
Her hand under the table clenched tightly, as if she were struggling or thinking.
Everyone's eyes were on her.
Marlowe looked up at Garrett and smiled, "No need. You sit there. I'm a bit dirty, and Grant has a cleanliness obsession. I'll just sit here."
Everyone was stunned. Where was she dirty?
She just didn't want to sit next to Grant and was deliberately belittling herself.
Garrett and Caleb were surprised at her sarcasm.
The room filled with a chilly atmosphere, and the mood became strange and tense.
Garrett didn't know whether to sit or stand and shot Caleb a resentful look.
Caleb felt wronged. How was he supposed to know Marlowe would act up today?
Victoria discreetly squeezed Alexander's hand under the table.
Then Alexander, pretending to cough, said in a deep voice, "Honey, do you want me to help you with your bath again tonight?"
No one saw that coming. Victoria was shocked and stared at him wide-eyed.
The others looked at Alexander like he was nuts. This wasn't the place to flaunt intimacy.
"Why aren't you answering?" Alexander pressed when she didn't respond.
Victoria awkwardly smiled but pinched his thigh under the table and blinked, "What do you think?"
She wanted him to break the awkward silence, not say something outrageous.
Alexander calmly held her hand and smiled, "Alright, I'll do it tonight."
Victoria forced herself to suppress her shyness and glared at Alexander, but he calmly poured her some water, not feeling the slightest bit inappropriate.
"Enough, discuss your matters at home. Are you trying to make us jealous?" Caleb said irritably, propping his cheek.
Thanks to Alexander, the atmosphere was at least less awkward.
Lila, being good at socializing, quickly got familiar with everyone. She was naturally cheerful and lively.
During the meal, Marlowe's gaze often drifted to Victoria and Alexander. She envied Victoria. Alexander was so gentle and considerate, while she didn't dare hope for kindness from Grant.
She had just learned that Victoria and Alexander were already married, though they hadn't had a wedding yet. They had only known each other for a little over half a month but got along so well.
The way Alexander looked at Victoria was full of deep affection. He probably wouldn't let her down, but Marlowe still wanted to remind her.
Then she thought about her own situation and felt she had no right to advise Victoria. A hint of self-mockery flashed in her eyes. Her situation was completely different.
After the meal, the men started discussing business. Lila and Victoria, being a CEO and a vice president, didn't find it boring, but Marlowe, who had no business experience, couldn't understand a word.
Eventually, Lila noticed Marlowe getting bored and sleepy, so she took her to the sofa to chat.
Soon, Victoria joined them. She wasn't very interested in what Alexander and the others were discussing either; different fields and all.
"Don't you two find it hard to understand?" Marlowe asked, looking confused since they seemed to be listening intently earlier.
Lila hooked her arm around Marlowe's and chuckled, "Marlowe, we haven't told you what we do for work yet."
"What do you do?" Marlowe blinked, looking a bit cute as she asked.
"Lila and I work at the same company, Horizon Group. Have you heard of it?" Lila asked.
Marlowe murmured, finding it familiar, and then asked, "Is it the company that makes the Starry brand perfume?"
"That's right," Lila smiled. "Victoria is the CEO of Horizon Group, and I'm in charge of the film company under Horizon Group."
Marlowe was silent.
She was stunned for a few seconds before squeezing out, "You two are amazing."
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