Chapter 135 Is He Pursuing You?
"Let me give you a hand, Nora," Jenny offered, rolling her sleeves.
"No need; Ember's already helping me. Just entertain the guests for me, okay?" Nora declined quickly, signaling her to keep Paul company.
Jenny glanced at Paul, her eyes dancing with laughter, "Nora, he's practically family. There is no need for any formalities."
Paul nodded. "That's right; don't worry about me."
Nora looked at his gentle features and curved her lips into a small smile, not making a sound.
If Paul were a good man, how wonderful that would be.
Right then, Jack arrived.
"Nora," he called out.
Snapping back to reality, Nora greeted him with a smile. "Jack, are you all finished with your tasks?"
"I just wrapped up and came straight over to mooch a meal," Jack said with a chuckle.
"Hungry? Jenny, there are some snacks outside; why not take Jack to grab a bite to tide him over? Dinner's still a little ways off," Nora said quickly.
"You got it!"
Aaron watched the warm scene between Nora and the Parker siblings, his lips pressed thinly.
Feeling like an outsider who had wandered onto their turf.
"Mr. Gordon looks a bit bored. How about joining in for a game of chess?" Jack's voice held a hint of invitation.
Aaron gave him a glance before nodding subtly and saying, "Sure."
The group then moved from the kitchen to the parlor.
Nora got busy with her tasks.
Ember's voice reached her ears.
"Nora, was that guy Jack? Is he pursuing you?"
While chopping vegetables, Nora laughed softly and replied, "No, he's not."
"Well, with his clean-cut look, he seems educated. Probably not interested in someone like you," Ember commented, setting the washed vegetables aside.
Nora paused in her chopping and glanced over at her.
Continuing with her task, Ember chatted as if nothing was amiss.
"Nora, you may be pretty, but with three kids, it's tough to find a good man. Back in my hometown, even the older men wouldn't be interested in that situation. After all, it's not just one kid, but three! Imagine the cost of raising them!"
The remark was rather unsettling.
This was the first time Nora had ever really talked with Ember.
Typical maids didn't speak like this.
Curiosity flickered in Nora's eyes. "Ember, where exactly is your hometown?"
"I'm from Florida," Ember replied.
"That's quite a distance. How long have you been in domestic services?"
"It's been a long time, about ten years now."
"Your cooking is pretty good. Who did you work for as a housekeeper before this?"
"I worked for Miss Hamilton, not too far from here."
"The celebrity, Suzy Hamilton?" Nora asked.
"Yes."
A flicker of discomfort passed through Ember's eyes.
She had mentioned this because Suzy had instructed her to remind Nora at every chance. Suzy didn't want Nora, a single mother of three, to harbor any fantasies about Aaron.
But she hadn't intended to reveal her role as Suzy's informant.
Surprisingly, Nora managed to draw out this information with just a few words.
Nora was speechless, suspecting there was something off about Ember. Was Aaron having Suzy's maid cook dinner for her? Could Aaron still claim he had no ties to Suzy?
Nora prepared a few dishes herself without another word, , only allowing Ember to handle the beef and chicken. If it hadn't been for the lack of time, she wouldn't have wanted Ember's involvement. Tomorrow, she would settle Ember's wages, and that would be the end of it.
Outside.
Jenny and Paul were playing with Billy and Samantha.
Alex watched intently as Aaron and Jack played chess. The child's face was serious, eyes shining as he observed every strategic move between the two seasoned players—a match worthy of deep thought. Dinner time was nearing, and they were still in the midst of their game.
"Jack, have you finished? Dinner is ready!"
Nora called out to them, noticing their intense focus on the game. Jack glanced up at her with a smile and replied, "We're almost done."
A look of displeasure crossed Aaron's face. Why had Nora only addressed Jack and not him?
With a strategic move, Aaron took a risk; Jack followed, revealing a weakness.
"Dr. Parker, you've lost!" Aaron declared triumphantly, outplaying Jack.
Jack regarded Aaron with respect, seeing in him the seasoned tact of a military general who seemingly effortlessly defeated his opponent.
"Mr. Parker, Mr. Gordon, who won?" Samantha sidled up to Aaron and asked softly.
"It was Mr. Gordon," Noe chimed in from the side.
"I knew Mr. Gordon would win!" Samantha exclaimed joyfully.
Feeling jealousy, Jack leaned down and playfully pinched her little nose. "Why do you say that?"
"Because Mr. Gordon is like Superman; he can do anything!"
Leaning against Aaron, Samantha whispered her reply.
Jack eyed her. "Samantha, between me and Mr. Gordon, who do you like more?"
Tough question!
Samantha glanced between him and Aaron, her big eyes spinning.
Spotting Jenny approaching, she quickly lunged towards her.
"I like both of you, but I love my godmother the most! Hug me, godmother!"
Jack fell silent.
Wasn't the answer obvious?
Samantha favored Aaron.
She was just trying not to offend Jack by not saying it outright.
Aaron watched Samantha, now in Jenny's arms, wink at him repeatedly, struggling to keep a straight face.
Was Samantha hinting that she preferred him?
"Dinner's ready! Everyone, come and sit down!"
Nora called them to eat.
They took their seats in the dining room.
Nora brought out a bottle of wine and looked at Paul.
"Paul, no one here can drink tonight. How about you?"
Paul chuckled. "If nobody's drinking, I'll pass too."
"Nonsense, have a little. A drink can liven things up."
Nora glanced at Jenny with a meaningful look.
Jenny blinked with a coy smile.
She and Paul were about to get married, yet they hadn't consummated their relationship.
Nora felt the time was ripe!
Paul's eyes twinkled, but he remained silent.
When Jack took it from her hand, Nora grabbed the corkscrew to open the wine. "Nora, take a seat. I've got this."
"Thanks," Nora said, sitting with a smile.
Jack opened the bottle. "No need to thank me. You've cooked so much; it must have been tough."
"It's okay; it's not every day."
Watching them exchange warm and friendly words, Aaron narrowed his eyes, finding Jack incredibly annoying.
When it came to courting favor, he simply couldn't outdo Jack!
Jenny poured drinks for the others while Nora, as the hostess, raised her glass with a smile.
"Let's eat then!"
"Alright."
The three kids replied in unison, excitedly raising their glasses.
Jenny turned to Nora. "Here's to Nora embarking on a new journey. May your future be bright!"
Nora gave a light laugh.
Clink, all glasses touched.
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