Chapter 144 Is There No Other Room?
“Aunt?” Courtney was stunned, she couldn’t stop herself from laughing out loud.
That girl looked at most twelve or thirteen years old, yet she was more senior than Alexander. Courtney could not imagine what he would look like when he had to call her ‘Aunt Hannah’.
Glancing at Alexander from the corner of her eye, she noticed that his expression was ugly. Holding back her laughter, she decided to let him off the hook. “Mr. Harry, she must be his aunt in name only. I don’t think Alexander ever called her ‘aunt’, right?”
However, whether accidentally or intentionally, the butler shook his head. “He still has to address her as his aunt. Although Miss Hannah is only an adopted child, she has been recorded into the Duncans’ genealogy record book. When she celebrates her birthday and the Duncan Family visits their ancestral grave every year, Mr. Alexander needs to address her as Aunt Hannah.”
Alexander threw the butler a cold glance. “Mr. Harry, you’re a lot more talkative the older you get. I think it’s time for you to retire and go home.”
Courtney held her head down and stifled a laugh. Immediately, the butler shut his mouth and changed the topic with a smile. “There’s a doorsill over here. Watch your steps, Little Master and Little Miss.”
The Duncans’ ancestral home was a protected property in Melrose City. It was a traditional mansion with connecting courtyards. The group passed through the winding corridors and built-in external doors under the butler’s lead. It took a while for them to arrive at the dining room.
Although Scott’s hair had gone gray, he was still healthy and had a back as straight as an arrow.
“President Duncan,” Courtney greeted respectfully.
“There’s no need for that. This isn’t a work occasion. Besides, I’m already retired. You don’t have to call me President Duncan. Just follow Alexander and call me Grandpa. Make yourself comfortable.”
Courtney blushed at his words. Hesitating for a while, she uttered, “Grandpa.”
Alas, Scott was satisfied. With a smile, he moved his attention to Tina and Jordan. “Come here, both of you. Come and take a seat here with your great-grandpa.”
Not afraid of strangers, Tina grabbed his hand and gave him a peck on his cheek. “Great-Grandpa, I want fried ice cream.”
“Okay. The kitchen has prepared it for you. You can eat it later.”
Staring at the harmonious interaction between Scott and Tina, Courtney was full of doubt. “When did Tina become so close with you, Grandpa?”
Puzzled, Scott’s brain stopped processing for a moment.
Instantly, the butler took over. “After they met once in the hospital, Old Master Scott became very fond of Little Miss. When he heard that Little Master and her play well together, they both exchanged phone numbers. Sometimes, Mr. Scott would call Little Miss to ask her about Little Master’s progress at school.”
“I see.” Courtney did not suspect anything further. “It’s Jordan’s first time attending school outside and spending time by himself in school. It’s normal for you to be worried.”
However, Alexander’s expression was incomprehensible; his eyes were fixated on Scott for a while.
Scott, who had always been calm and collected, let out a dry cough when he met Alexander’s gaze. He pretended to avoid his gaze inadvertently. His unnatural act was an indication to Alexander that the kids had been keeping a secret with his grandpa. Scott was so close to Tina that it was unlikely because of that one encounter.
“Grandpa, did Tina tell you about the fried ice cream over the phone?” He exposed them without giving face.
Scott was shocked once again. He glanced at the butler through the corner of his eye, but the latter did nothing this time.
Both Scott and Alexander stared at each other for a few seconds, and the former let out a cough nonchalantly.
“I knew Tina was coming, so I asked her what she would want in advance. Did I do something wrong as a great-grandpa? But, look at you. You’ve known Courtney for so long, and what did you tell me when I asked you about her favorite food?” He retaliated.
This time, Alexander’s expression hardened.
“What did you say?” Courtney raised her eyebrows and looked at him. “What’s my favorite food?”
“Ahem.” He tensed up. “I remember that you’re not a picky eater, and you don’t have any food taboos. So…”
“So, you remember nothing.” Scott glared at him. At this moment, he finally regained his face as the elder. “You’re lucky that Courtney is easy-going. If the one sitting here is some little girl outside, she would have broken up with you long ago.”
Alexander frowned at the criticism, but he was at a loss for words.
Contrarily, Courtney observed the confrontation between the pair as if she was watching a fire from the other side of the river. Mr. Scott is probably the only person in this world who can scold Alexander to such an extent without having a valid reason.
The family enjoyed the dinner happily. The children sat on each side of Scott; Courtney and Alexander sat separately facing each other. It was true that the Duncan Family had a great chef. The dishes were not at all worse than those prepared by the best chef at Sunhill Hotel.
After dinner, the children went upstairs and played. Meanwhile, Courtney and Alexander sat in the living room and drank tea with Scott.
“Courtney, tell me when you’re free. We have to pick a date.”
“What date?” Her heart pinched all of a sudden.
“I think we should announce Alexander’s relationship with you to our relatives and friends so that the women out there won’t keep on hanging around him not knowing how the wind blows.”
When Scott was talking to her, he was originally smiling. However, the moment he talked about the ‘women out there’, he threw Alexander a vicious glare. “I told Alexander to cut ties with that actress a long time ago. Look at all the trouble she caused after all this time. If it were not for Courtney’s generosity, it would have been too late for you to regret it.”
Pertaining to the news about Britney, Courtney was a little bit guilty. Therefore, she decided to help Alexander and said, “It’s actually nothing. The media were just scratching fleas on a stuffed dog. Besides, the matter is resolved now. You don’t have to worry about it anymore, Grandpa.”
Scott’s heart bloomed when he heard her calling him ‘Grandpa’.
“You’re indeed a well-educated girl and more generous than the others. All of us agree on this, then. The tenth day of next month is a good day, and I’m celebrating my birthday too. We can take the opportunity to announce your relationship.”
Courtney’s brows knitted unnoticeably; she was flustered.
“Grandpa, you haven’t even met Courtney’s parents yet. It’s not a good idea to set things up on your own,” Alexander spoke up suddenly and spoke on behalf of Courtney.
“Ah, how did I forget about that?” Scott was chagrined. “You’re right. Let’s arrange to meet Courtney’s family first.”
“I’ll handle this.” Knowing the complicated relationship between Courtney and her family, Alexander answered for her again.
“Okay. You better do it as soon as possible.” Scott was worried and reminded him again.
Though Courtney was listening to the conversation between the two, she was distracted. Knowing how quick-witted Alexander was, Courtney knew he must have noticed her hesitation from earlier. She was not sure if he had misunderstood her.
In the evening, Scott made the pair stay at the ancestral home. He simply ignored Courtney’s refusal. When the servant told her that the children had fallen asleep, she had no choice but to accept the arrangement since she could no longer leave. She was not sure whether it was the servant or Scott’s intention when she found herself being arranged to sleep in Alexander’s room.
“Is there no other room?” Standing at the entrance of the room, Courtney felt uncomfortable. After all, the two of them were not married yet. Besides, this house was so quaint that she felt like she had to be more conservative when she was here.
