Chapter 560 My Natalie is the Most Polite
"No way, I can't interrupt Natalie and my cousin's sweet talk; he might stop giving me money to spend," Lilian was very clear about the realities of life.
Lucas tapped her forehead. "What sweet talk! Where did you learn such frivolous words?"
"Frivolous?" Lilian, clutching her head in feigned hurt, protested, "It's a common word. How can it be frivolous?"
Lucas was left speechless. Could her logic be any more twisted?
"Does Oliver often give you money to spend?" Lucas casually inquired.
Lilian pondered for a moment. "Yeah, I guess that's true. Whenever I'm short on cash or want to buy something, my cousin usually comes to my rescue. He always transfers me money for my birthday, holidays, or when I win some award, letting me pick out my own presents."
...Choosing your own gifts, not too shabby.
Lucas had suspected that a lady of Lilian's caliber probably had expensive tastes, but he'd never actually seen her splurge. He'd only caught her once, completely enamored with a three-dollar ice cream cone, so he didn't get the sense that she was high-maintenance.
But now, hearing Lilian's list...
Seizing the moment as Lilian ran ahead to take pictures, Lucas quickly called his organization's assistant, "How much is in my account?"
"Why are you asking, Mr. Watson?" The assistant sounded confused. Lucas never seemed to care much about money. He rarely even glanced at the compensations and bonuses from the organization.
"Cut the chatter!" Lucas urged.
"I can only give you an estimate right now. You've got several million in liquid assets. I've managed investments for you in about seven or eight companies and a couple of angel investment projects, which are doing well. You've also bought two mansions and three buildings in Paykston, plus a row of storefronts. Oh, and there are the regular dividends from your design patents. I can't recall the rest."
Just three buildings, two mansions, a row of storefronts, and liquid assets under a hundred million... it's not nearly enough.
"Didn't someone approach me last week for a job?" asked Lucas.
"Yes, but you said you... you needed to sleep and didn't have time, so you turned it down, right?" The assistant's tone was tinged with frustration over the genius who didn't hustle for money. Or rather, the genius who lacked ambition.
"Go negotiate with them. If they double the price, I'll do it."
The assistant sounded both shocked and a bit frantic. "Mr. Watson, are you short on cash? You... you haven't gotten into trouble, have you? Got hooked on gambling or drugs? Gambling's one thing, you have the funds, but drugs are off the table! That stuff's dangerous!"
Lucas muttered an expletive under his breath. "Can't you think the best of me for once?"
Innocently, the assistant argued, "You don't even have a girlfriend to take care of. What else would you need money for?"
"How can you...?" Who said I don't have a girlfriend to take care of?
Lucas bit back his retort and changed course, "Never mind. Just get the deal done and email me the details. I'm hanging up."
"Lucas! Can you take a photo for me?"
Spotting a colossal steer, Lilian excitedly motioned for him to come over.
Lucas's expression darkened slightly.
Oh right, she's not his girlfriend yet.
She probably won't ever be just a friend, either.
But being good friends is not too bad, you know.
There's a saying—know when to stop.
And another—contentment brings happiness.
Lucas lazily activated the camera on his smartphone and strolled over.
The little girl was short, hardly taller than a calf. She stood in front of the formidable figure, her smile radiant as she playfully flashed a peace sign.
"Aren't you going in?"
Oliver noticed Natalie hesitate at the entrance of the church, not intending to go inside but seemingly intrigued by the church's architecture.
Natalie shook her head, "It's not my faith. I'd rather not."
This church wasn't like the sort where you just wander in and look around without praying—it seemed disrespectful.
Oliver, hands in his pockets, chuckled. "Where did you pick up these quaint notions, Natalie? Even my grandmother would approve of you."
It was funny though. Marjorie, a socialite raised in an affluent family, had her own set of principles. So where did Natalie get hers?
"You're the quaint one! It's called being polite!" snapped Natalie, glaring at him.
"Alright, Natalie is the most courteous," Oliver laughed, affectionately pinching her cheek and musing to himself, My Natalie, always so polite.
He was used to being carefree, without strong religious beliefs, nor a sense of reverence. The church was a part of a scenic area now—hadn't throngs of tourists dropped by just for a look? Their absence wouldn't be missed.
But if Natalie didn't want to go in, they wouldn't.
He wasn't particularly interested, anyway.
"Hey!" Natalie stepped back to dodge his hand, rubbing her cheek. "Why are you pinching me like that?"
Oliver's hand, now at his side, fumbled unconsciously, reminiscing the soft touch, as he nonchalantly and confidently said, "I didn't pinch you randomly."
"Shameless!" Other than glaring, Natalie didn't know how to react.
How could Oliver be so thick-skinned? He was never like this in front of others!
...
Lilian was thrilled with the photo Lucas had taken of her.
After the last visit with Lucas, where his lack of photography skills shocked her, she had taught him how to frame a shot properly to avoid being horrified by her image in his pictures.
"Nice composition!" Lilian exclaimed, happily starting to adjust the colors.
Then she discovered a delightful surprise!
This photo, it unexpectedly caught my cousin and Natalie right in the frame!
My cousin was doing that quirky nose-pinching thing to Natalie!
The adoration in his gaze as he looked down at Natalie nearly spilled out!
So much love, huh!
Lucas caught Lilian practically glowing, eyes alight with excitement as she leaned in closer to the photo.
"What's up?" Lucas asked.
"Oh, nothing, nothing, the picture you took is fantastic!" Lilian gave Lucas a thumbs-up, resolving to safeguard this photo, ensuring that Lucas never laid eyes on it.
She knew Lucas wasn't fond of her brother-in-law Simon, so it was essential to keep it hidden from him!
"Really?" Lucas quirked an eyebrow, his youthful joy and pride lifting the corners of his eyes.
"Really, really!" Lilian nodded vigorously.
How could it not look amazing with such a spectacular moment captured?!
Oh, how I wish I could share this sweet moment!
My cousin and his wife, look closely, everyone!
Feeling affirmed and encouraged, Lucas secretly decided to go home and research some photography tips.
The four of them walked past the church, which led to a bustling tea shop just outside the back door. Customers streamed in and out nonstop.
Two cups of tea arrived, and their pungent milky aroma, mixed with a strong lamb scent, overwhelmed them all.
Oliver's face showed unmistakable disdain and reluctance.
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