Chapter 828 Deliberate Enthusiasm
The next day, the lawyer, Alex, brought along with him Derrick’s property transfer letter and laid them all out before Tiffany. “Ms. Winters, these are the transfer letters for Mr. Hisson’s assets and management rights of his two companies. They’ll belong to you as soon as you put your signature down.”
Tiffany studied the documents laid out on the desk with a complicated look in her eyes, having mixed feelings about it.
“Mr. Feltham, while I appreciate all that you have done for me, I will not sign these documents. Please send them back to Derrick and inform him that I do not need compensation from him. My earnings throughout the years will ensure me a life of prosperity, so his assets are of no use to me,” Tiffany replied.
Alex glanced at Oscar. “Mr. Feltham, you will do as she says,” Oscar demanded.
“Understood, Mr. Clinton. I will bring these documents back to be handed to Mr. Hisson at his office.” Alex packed everything up into his suitcase before standing up. “Mr. Clinton, Mrs. Clinton, Ms. Winters, I shall be taking my leave if there’s nothing else.”
Amelia said, “Mr. Feltham, you should stay and dine with us. You must be exhausted, having worked hard for Tiff these days.”
Alex smiled before replying, “You’re too kind, Mrs. Clinton. Mr. Clinton pays me a hefty salary each month, so it is my job to help him out. Besides, I need to work on other cases, so I won’t be staying.”
Thus, Amelia and Tiffany could only see him off at the entrance.
“Mrs. Clinton, Ms. Winters, please go back inside.” Alex bid them goodbye and entered the elevator.
Both Amelia and Tiffany reentered the house.
After glancing at Oscar, who was sitting on the sofa, Tiffany said, “Oscar, thank you for extending a helping hand to me. I know you only did all of this because of Amelia, but I figured I do owe you my gratitude. Let’s have dinner together at night if you have time. It’ll be on me. Consider this as a celebration of me regaining my singlehood. Also, do introduce some quality and dedicated men to me if you know any.”
Oscar looked at her before jabbing, “Don’t smile if you don’t feel like it. That look on your face is hideous. I don’t mind going on a meal if it helps get rid of your boredom. A lot of young and outstanding guys work under Clinton Corporations, so I do know quite a few. If you are up to it, I can form a harem for you, and you can have your pick of men.”
In a rare display of affection, Tiffany punched him on his chest and smiled. “Great job, Mr. Clinton.”
Having witnessed their interactions, Amelia finally put on a heartfelt smile.
At night, Amelia, her family, and Tiffany went to a farmstay near rural areas. To their surprise, they ran into Jennifer again, with Carter standing by her side.
Jennifer held Carter’s arm while greeting them enthusiastically. “Amelia, Mr. Clinton, fancy seeing you here! I suppose it’s the workings of fate that had us meet here. Come dine with us if you would like to.”
Jennifer’s uncharacteristic enthusiasm garnered Carter’s attention, who gave her a side glance that was filled with much confusion.
However, she pretended to not notice his inquisitive gaze, opting to retain the dainty smile she wore on her lips. Compared to before, it was apparent that her demeanor was much more enthusiastic.
All the while, Amelia watched her in puzzlement. Just when she was about to speak, Carter took over the conversation. “Amelia, it’s been a while since everybody last had a meal together. Let’s dine together now that we’ve bumped into each other here.”
Seeing that Carter had extended an invitation, Amelia could only oblige.
After all six of them, five adults and one child, got seated, Jennifer observed Tony up close and smiled. “Tony sure has such delicate looks, a combination of the best traits of both Amelia and Mr. Clinton. I bet nobody dares discipline such a cute kid.”
Upon saying so, she noticed that all eyes were on her.
Smiling, she added, “Why are you all looking at me? Do you all disagree with me?”
Amelia shook her head and raised her hand to caress Tony’s head. “Tony, what should you say when Ms. Larson praises you?”
In a crisp tone, Tony answered, “Thank you, Ms. Larson. However, I don’t really like how you’re staring at me as if I’m a tasty lollipop up for grabs. I once watched a drama series, in which the bad guys who tried to get closer to children have that very same look in their eyes.”
The smile on Jennifer’s face froze for a moment.
In the meantime, Amelia paid more attention to Jennifer due to Tony’s words. After all, she was already slightly alarmed by Jennifer’s sudden enthusiasm.
Oddities were always suspicious, so she figured she had to be extra careful, especially when it came to matters regarding Tony’s safety.
Fortunately, the waiter served their orders fairly soon, breaking that short but awkward standoff.
Carter served both Jennifer and Tiffany in a gentlemanly manner, while Oscar served Amelia and Tony on his end.
After that, Jennifer drank her soup quietly, less enthusiastic than before.
Carter took a sip of his soup before inquiring, “Where’s your husband, Tiffany? Why didn’t he come along for dinner?”
He just had to ask that when I don’t wish to bring that up.
Tiffany glanced at Carter discreetly with her hand still hanging midair while holding her spoon.
At the same time, Jennifer nudged Carter and whispered, “She divorced Derrick. Don’t you know something this serious?” A look of astonishment fleeted across Carter’s gaze as he asked incredulously, “Are you divorced, Tiffany? I’ve never heard it from Amelia.”
Amelia shook her head slightly before explaining, “Something happened, and given the difference in their values and familial background, they decided to file for divorce. All right, let’s not talk about such solemn matters. We’ll drink instead. It’s not every day that we get to sit down together due to our busy schedules, so let’s drink to our heart’s content.”
Amelia handed the wine bottle to Oscar, who opened it before pouring everyone some wine.
Holding onto his wine glass, Carter said, “I’m sorry, Tiffany. Allow me to toast you as an apology for my insolence just now.”
Tiffany accepted his toast smilingly. “You jinx. I’m not that fragile, so you don’t have to tip-toe around me. Bill’s on me today, so everyone should enjoy the meal. Also, you’re not allowed to talk about work.”
“Sure. You’re as straightforward as ever, Tiffany. I’ll drink with you tonight,” Carter agreed.
By the end of their meal, Jennifer held up her glass and announced, “Guys, there is indeed a reason behind my enthusiasm tonight. First off, Carter is your friend. Then, Amelia and I had a misunderstanding due to what happened with my mother, during which I had taken out my anger on Carter. Coupled with the incident about the video clip, I came to think that I was not a good match for Carter. However, my mother recovered a few days ago and persuaded me to release old grudges to start anew. I was happy about my mother’s recovery, so I agreed to dine with Carter tonight, having figured I should give my relationship with him a chance. Unexpectedly, I ran into all of you here today, so I was hoping to befriend you all. However, it seemed that my enthusiasm had scared the child. I shall hereby down three glasses of wine as an apology to Tony.”
She actually downed three glasses of wine after that. Her cheeks were rosy as soon as she finished the wine.
Carter tried to stop her from drinking, but she managed to dodge him.
She said sincerely after getting drunk, “I’m especially happy to meet you guys here today. Come on, let’s drink to our heart’s content. Amelia, Tiffany, you shouldn’t suspect me of having ulterior motives. As a woman, what I want is to have someone to rely on. I haven’t had it easy during these past few years. Carter wouldn’t even spare me a glance even though I’d been chasing after him for two years. Now that I finally got his attention, and he forgave me after the incident with the video clip, I no longer felt like putting up a front. So, I would like to marry and settle down with him. I’m also going to make sure the company runs smoothly. I also no longer want to fight with the Clinton family, for it is quite meaningless. Besides, I am no match for Mr. Clinton, so I would like to ask him tonight to spare me for Carter’s sake.”
Then, she drank another three glasses of wine before passing out on the table.
Her passing out shocked Amelia and the rest.
“You should send her home, Carter. She had drunk quite a lot. She had it hard living alone as a woman, so please take care of her,” Amelia said in concern.
Carter carried Jennifer in his arms as he apologized, “I’m sorry, Amelia. I’ll send her home. Enjoy your meal.”
“Go ahead. Take good care of her.”
Carter nodded and took her away with him.
Amelia furrowed her brows while looking at Oscar. “What do you think that latter part of her speech means, Oscar? Are you still secretly trying to undermine her?”
Oscar shook his head. “I don’t stoop that low.”
Amelia felt as if she were shrouded by confusion but still couldn’t figure out the reason behind Jennifer’s act.
She snapped back to her senses when Tony ushered crisply, “Let’s go home, Mommy. I don’t like drunkards.”
Amelia patted his head before gently soothing him, “All right, let’s go home. Ms. Larson drank a lot because she was glad, so don’t take it personally, you hear me?”
Tony nodded.
After paying the bills, Amelia left the farmstay alongside Oscar and Tiffany while holding Tony in her arms. The meal wasn’t as pleasant due to Jennifer’s drunken speech. For some reason, Amelia felt something heavy in her heart that wouldn’t dissipate.
