Hannah responded with a smile. Of course, she was just being polite–she knew very well what was happening between Xavier and herself. The man was actively pursuing her. Since she would never accept him, why would she ask for his help?
In order to avoid that particular topic, Hannah asked Xavier in turn, “So, Mr. Jackson, what brings you here?”
“Oh, I was just passing by when I happened to see you. I was thinking, since we’re old friends and all, maybe I could pop by and say hello. You don’t mind that, do you, Ms. Young?” Xavier stated courteously.
Hannah, putting up a smile, replied, “Of course not, Mr. Jackson. You’re my friend after all. I certainly don’t mind.”
Hannah was treating Xavier with utmost courtesy. If he were someone else, she would have lost her patience a long while ago.
After all, Xavier politely having a conversation with Hannah was already an act that transcended the status quo. He always treated Hannah with utmost sincerity. Despite the fact that he was trying to woo her, Hannah had never accepted his advances.
Even so, he had never resorted to any desperate measures. This was the twenty-first century, after all. If Xavier really wanted Hannah for himself, it would have been as easy as ABC. Furthermore, Xavier was one of the major clients of Hannah’s company. It made sense for Hannah to treat him with equal respect.
“I’m pleased to hear that.”
Xavier chuckled wryly. Since he misunderstood Natasha last time, it would be embarrassing as well as impossible to hope that he would have more to say in front of Natasha.
Fortunately, the pizza joint was quite efficient when it came to serving food. Soon, the food which Hannah ordered were brought to the table, the soup hot and its aroma mouth-watering.
While Hannah was carefully dealing with Xavier, Fabian had also returned to the main residence of the Norton family. As soon as he stepped into the house, his mother’s voice rang out bitterly, “Oh, Fabian. You’re actually back?”
“Of course, Mom. You wouldn’t want me to wallow in my sadness, would you?” Fabian chuckled in response.
For someone like him who wielded great influence in the business circle, he acknowledged his mother as a difficult “client”.
After all, Heather was the only elder left in the Norton family, and thus he would take her opinion into consideration when it came to making decisions. He also understood that his mother would only get older. If, by any chance, Heather could not agree with something Fabian did and fell ill because of it, that would be bad.
“Oh, Fabian! I thought you’d forgotten about this family. I thought you intended to drown your sorrows!” Heather chided unceremoniously.
Frankly, as a mother, she was very worried about Fabian’s emotional state, but she could not do anything about it.
Well, of course I can’t allow Fabian to bring Hannah home. That’s out of the question. Hannah cannot conceive. What will happen to the Norton family if I accept her as a daughter-in-law? Won’t that be the end of the Norton family bloodline? I’ll not stand for it.
“Mom, how can you say that? I know you’ve been extremely worried about me. But I’m here to assure you that no matter what happens, I know what I’m doing. I won’t let you worry about me, Mom.”
Fabian made an attempt at flattery. If he wanted to bring Hannah home, the first thing he had to do was to get his mother to accept her. But, to do that, he would have to quell his mother’s ire first.
“Hmph!”
Fabian’s mother snorted, but the expression on her face had already betrayed her inner joy. Her son had managed to overcome his depression. As his mother, how could she not be happy for him?
“It’s alright. Let’s put the past behind us and stop mulling over it. You’re still young. You can still get a wife and I have hope yet of becoming a grandmother. Look at me. I’m getting old, son, and I don’t have a single grandchild yet. My poker buddies, on the other hand… why, their grandchildren can already walk on two feet and talk. You’re ruining my reputation, Fabian.”
