Chapter 169 Charles’s Suspicions About Hunter Grow
Unfortunately, after sending the message, it disappeared without a trace, with no response.
Thinking that Martin hadn't received it, Carter excused himself to the restroom under pretense of needing a break, temporarily leaving the private room, and made a phone call to Martin.
The phone was answered after two rings.
"What's up?"
His voice was deep, betraying no emotion.
Hearing him put it that way, Carter was even more convinced that Martin hadn't received the message, so he hurriedly said, “I saw Patricia and Hunter at Basque Taste, with Charles and a little girl tagging along. It looked pretty official, like a meeting with the parents.”
Martin's grip on the phone tightened, his knuckles turning white from the strain. Despite Patricia having already left him battered that morning, he hadn't managed to develop a thick skin; his heart still ached fiercely.
Silence from Martin prompted Carter to ask, puzzled, “Martin, are you listening to me?”
Martin took a deep breath, struggling to keep his surging emotions in check, and said nonchalantly, "Who she chooses to dine with is her business. It has nothing to do with me."
Carter thought he had misheard, his eyes widened in disbelief. "Martin, you... just last night, you were drowning your sorrows over Patricia. Have you changed your heart already?"
Martin replied impatiently, "Is there anything else?"
Carter shook his head, "No... nothing..." He didn’t even finished his sentence when Martin hung up the phone.
Carter was baffled. What just happened?
Seeing Martin's indifferent attitude, Carter decided not to pry any further and returned to his private room.
Inside Room 001.
Charles had ordered the restaurant's most expensive dishes and, while waiting for the food, scrutinized Hunter with his bright eyes, interrogating him as if Hunter was on trial.
"I looked up your information earlier. With your credentials, why would you be interested in my mom?"
Hunter answered candidly, "Your mom and I were childhood sweethearts. We grew up together! My family later immigrated to the States, and we had to part ways. I returned to Ivara City just recently to set up a new branch and specifically to find your mom."
Charles turned to Patricia, "Mommy, are you really childhood sweethearts with him?"
Patricia felt their roles had reversed, with Charles seeming like her father and she the daughter given his adult-like demeanor.
From her expression, Charles had his answer.
"Do you know my dad is Martin?"
"I do," Hunter responded.
"With such confidence, do you think you could take my mom away from my dad?"
Hunter smiled gently, "I won't take her away. If your mom loves your dad, I'll step aside willingly and let her pursue her happiness."
Hunter's magnanimous and considerate response instantly increased Fannie's admiration for him.
Charles, however, was not nearly as optimistic.
For some reason, the more flawless the response, the more unsure he became.
Call it being narrow-minded or overly suspicious, but Charles didn't believe anyone could be so perfect. Any normal person has their flaws.
"So, are you planning to marry my mom or just date her?" he asked.
"If your mom agrees, I am ready to marry her right away. If it feels too soon, we can get engaged and wait until the time is right." Hunter continued to answer perfectly, without missing a beat.
"You're the heir to the Miller family in the States. Will your parents accept my mother, a divorced woman with a child?"
"Marriage is a matter between two people. My parents won't interfere too much; they will respect my choice."
"So, when do you plan to introduce my mom to your family?"
"Anytime! If your mom is willing, I can arrange it right now."
"Well..." Charles was about to ask more when Patricia could no longer bear it and interrupted out loud, "Charles, enough! Why are you asking all these detailed questions?"
What was most crucial was that she hadn't completely accepted Hunter yet.
Since the start of the evening, she had been pushed along, and before she could realize what was happening, it was all said and done.
She knew very well that she didn't have feelings for Hunter; and since she didn't like him, she couldn't lead him on.
Charles gave her a meaningful look and said no more.
Throughout the dinner, Hunter played the role of boyfriend to perfection, tenderly caring for Patricia, and tirelessly serving dishes to her and the two little ones. A model partner!
Fannie was very pleased with him.
After the meal, Hunter took them all to see a movie, play some video games and watch fireworks on the Bund. By the time they got home, it was nearly midnight. Fannie was so exhausted she fell asleep.
Hunter carried her, letting her rest on his shoulder, while Patricia held on to Charles.
At a glance, they looked like a happy family of four.
Under the dim streetlights, a low-profile, luxurious Bentley was parked silently, its interior pitch black and inscrutable.
Hunter's gaze swept casually past the car. After sending Patricia upstairs, he feigned exhaustion and gripping his shoulder and gasping, "I'm really tired, Patricia, may I come in and rest for a while?"
Not wanting to refuse, Patricia nodded in agreement.
With a sly twinkle in his eye, Charles quickly said, "Mommy, you take Fannie to bed. I'll stay here and keep Hunter company."
Without overthinking it, Patricia agreed, "Okay! Make Hunter a cup of coffee. Jade is already asleep, so keep your voices down and don't wake her."
Charles nodded vigorously.
After Patricia took Fannie to the bedroom, Charles went into the kitchen and poured a cup of coffee for Hunter, sweetly offering it to him, "Hunter, please enjoy your coffee."
"Thank you!" Hunter took the coffee and sipped it lightly.
With a smile, Charles looked at him, innocent as ever, "Hunter, how did you find my mommy after so many years?"
Hunter was straightforward, "After so many years apart, I had to enlist the help of several private investigators. Otherwise, I might never have found your mom with just my own effort."
He was candid about it.
Without showing any emotion, Charles continued to probe, "So, if you used a private detective to find my mommy, you must know a lot about her, right?"
He was referring to Fannie's background.
After all, only Patricia, Jade, and Fannie herself knew about Fannie's true origins.
Hunter continued to sip his tea, his face betraying no sign of peculiarity as he answered evenly, "How could that be! I merely hired a private detective to find your mother, with no intention of probing into any of her private matters. I'm not one to invade into others’ privacy."
"Oh!" Charles smiled meaningfully. "Hunter, I'm just having a chat with you, don't take it to heart. You know, with such a significant matter at stake, as her son, I have to ask a few more questions. I hope you can understand."
Hunter appeared calm on the surface, but inside he was slightly shocked.
Patricia’s son seemed to be much sharper than he had anticipated.
It looked like a casual conversation, yet every sentence was a trap for him.
It seemed he had to be more cautious.
Worried that staying any longer might give him away, Hunter glanced at the night outside, noting that it was getting late. He stood up and said, "It's getting late, you should rest early. Are you free tomorrow? Do you want me to take you out again?"
Charles didn't immediately agree, feigning profundity, "If needed, my mother will contact you."
"Great! Then I'll wait for your call!" Saying this, Hunter gently ruffled Charles's hair and left.
Charles smiled with feigned innocence.
As soon as the door was shut, the smile on his face disappeared. He grabbed some tissues from the table and vigorously wiped the places Hunter had touched.
Hunter left the complex, the black Bentley still parked under the streetlight.
He looked towards the Bentley with a face full of joy, his eyes gentle, as if they could see through the night and catch a glimpse of the man sitting in the driver’s seat. After casting a triumphant gaze at the man, he walked away proudly.
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