Chapter 521 Off the Charts Crazy
In the study, Alexander had just finished an impromptu video conference when Victoria peeked her head around the doorframe. Their eyes met across the room.
"Darling, are you finished?" she mouthed quietly, taking in his relaxed appearance in white loungewear.
Alexander swiveled his chair and beckoned her with a finger. She slipped inside and hurried over to him. Before she could steady herself, he gently pulled her onto his lap. Instinctively, she wrapped her arms around his neck.
Before she could speak, he captured her chin and sealed her lips with his own.
"What brings you here?" he murmured against her ear after their brief moment of affection.
"Stop fidgeting. I need to discuss something important with you," she said, cupping his face to maintain eye contact, wary of his tendency to tickle her.
Alexander couldn't resist squeezing her delicate cheeks affectionately.
"I'm all ears," he said with adoration.
Victoria briefly explained the situation with the Hawthorne family.
"So you're concerned about offending the Hawthornes?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Victoria nodded. "Yes."
"Why worry about the Hawthorne family? Is someone as formidable as you actually afraid of them?" he teased.
She shook her head. It wasn't fear that motivated her caution, but business sense. The Hawthorne Group was a leader in medical pharmaceuticals, and her research institute had just established itself in Ridgehge. The Hawthornes were her first choice for collaboration, offering resources no one else could provide. Moreover, the Hawthorne couple had excellent reputations in the industry; it was only their son who was problematic.
There was no need to jeopardize relations with the entire family over this incident.
As Victoria continued explaining, Alexander found himself distracted by her moving lips and couldn't resist kissing her again.
"Wait, I haven't finished," she protested.
He gently nipped her lip before saying, "The solution is simple."
Victoria looked at him quizzically, waiting for him to continue.
"Go directly to the Hawthorne Group. You might even secure that partnership in the process."
When Victoria appeared confused, he whispered something in her ear that made her eyes light up.
"Of course! Why didn't I think of that? You're so brilliant!" she exclaimed, cupping his face and planting a kiss on his lips.
"I can show you more of my brilliance if you'd like," Alexander suggested with a mischievous smile.
Understanding his implication, Victoria instinctively tried to stand up, feeling she couldn't handle another passionate encounter.
"I'm hungry," she said, and as if on cue, her stomach growled.
Alexander sighed. Lately, she had no appetite during regular mealtimes but would become ravenous around ten o'clock, craving only strongly flavored foods.
Initially, he'd disapproved of such heavy late-night meals, concerned for her digestion, but her persistence wore him down.
Molly, having learned Victoria's habits, was already waiting downstairs.
"Are you hungry again, Mrs. Howard?" she asked.
Victoria nodded awkwardly.
"I'll prepare something right away," Molly offered.
Alexander quickly intervened. "Molly, go rest. I'll handle this."
Twenty minutes later, a steaming bowl of pasta appeared before Victoria, its aroma more intense than Molly's version.
Despite his own dislike for heavily seasoned food, Alexander had adapted to prepare meals to Victoria's current tastes. However, he only watched as she ate.
"Is it really that good?" he asked with a furrowed brow as she devoured the meal.
Victoria glanced up. "Try some and see."
He shook his head, put off by the pungent sour and spicy aroma.
Victoria didn't press him and continued eating contentedly.
The next morning, Marlowe woke later than usual after a restless night. When she emerged from her room, only Finnegan remained in the living room.
"Dad," she greeted him.
"Marlowe, you're up. I saved you breakfast in the kitchen," Finnegan said.
"Have you and Mom already eaten?" she asked.
"Not just us—those two gentlemen have eaten as well," Finnegan replied, referring to Grant and Elliot.
Marlowe glanced around the empty living room.
Anticipating her question, Finnegan explained, "They've gone out with your mother."
"What? Where did they go?" Marlowe asked, confused.
Finnegan calmly sipped his tea before answering, "Grocery shopping."
Marlowe froze in disbelief.
Finnegan chuckled. "I had exactly the same reaction when I heard."
He proceeded to describe the morning's surprising events. The couple had risen at dawn as usual, only to find Grant and Elliot already awake—Elliot preparing breakfast in the kitchen while Grant was outside watering plants and tidying the yard.
As Marlowe ate her breakfast, she nearly choked when Finnegan mentioned Grant voluntarily washing dishes. It seemed as improbable as seeing the sun at midnight.
And now two high-profile executives were accompanying her mother to a farmers market? The situation had become completely surreal.
What was their purpose? How had one night's sleep seemingly transformed them both?
And wouldn't her mother attract attention with these two men in tow?
Indeed, the farmers market—typically a bustling, noisy place with people hurrying about—had become a scene of curiosity. The two men, with their elegant attire, impressive physiques, and striking features, stood out dramatically against the market backdrop.
Katerina was beginning to feel uncomfortable with the attention when a local acquaintance approached.
"Katerina, who are these handsome gentlemen with you today?" asked Aurelia Kingsley with a smile, her eyes fixed on Grant and Elliot.
Having lived in town for five years, everyone knew Katerina had a daughter but no sons. The question caught her off guard.
Her good manners prevented her from ignoring the question. "They're relatives," she answered with a polite smile.
Aurelia's matchmaking instincts immediately surfaced, her eyes brightening with excitement.
"Are they married? If not, I could introduce them to a nice girl," she offered eagerly.
Katerina fell silent, unsure how to respond.
Grant stepped in smoothly. "I'm already married, ma'am," he said, then patted Elliot's shoulder. "But my friend here is single. Perhaps you could introduce someone to him."
His smug expression seemed to say "You're welcome" to Elliot.
Elliot remained silent, irritated. Since when were they friends? And why was Grant meddling in his personal life?
Though disappointed that one man was taken, Aurelia's hopes revived upon learning the other was available. With two unmarried 28-year-old daughters working in the city, she was eager to match them with suitable prospects.
Just as Elliot began to protest, "Ma'am, I'm sorry but I already..."
Aurelia grabbed his hand and launched into an enthusiastic pitch. "Sir, both my daughters are college graduates working as professionals in the city. They're beautiful too! I feel like we've met before. Let me show you their photos—you can choose whichever one you prefer!"
Grant stepped aside, adopting an air of detachment from the situation.
Katerina hadn't anticipated Aurelia's overwhelming enthusiasm, which seemed intent on making Elliot her son-in-law on the spot.
"Mom," Grant suggested, "perhaps we should continue shopping. Elliot might not escape anytime soon."
"What?" Katerina replied, still uncomfortable with his familiar address, especially given his history as Abigail's almost-husband before becoming Marlowe's actual husband.
She hesitated to leave Elliot alone, knowing Aurelia's legendary persistence about her daughters' marital prospects.
"Don't worry, Elliot can handle himself," Grant assured her, sensing her concern.
"Shall we go, Katerina?" he added, speaking her name with increasing ease.
He gently guided her away, a scene that would have shocked Kevin and the others had they witnessed it.
Elliot watched them leave with mounting frustration. Grant was being childish, retaliating for Marlowe's attitude toward him the previous night. If he had issues with Marlowe, he should address them directly rather than taking them out on others.
"So, sir, what's your name? How old are you? Where do you work?" Aurelia fired off questions in rapid succession.
Elliot, who typically disliked physical contact with strangers, grew increasingly uncomfortable. His expression darkened, but Aurelia, having taken an immediate liking to him, remained oblivious to his discomfort.
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