Her Marriage: The Night is Still Young-Chapter 199: Mr. Gallagher Is My Good Friend
Evening.
Evelyn Thorne rarely made a trip home.
Her mind kept replaying Nathaniel Gallagher’s words, "I’m so touched."
She clutched the eavesdropping device inside her purse, still feeling hesitant.
Her father held a high position, needing to be cautious with his words and actions.
Furthermore, all their visitors were figures of high social standing.
If the matter were to be exposed, her father might also be implicated.
"Hmm~, Mr. Gallagher said he only wanted to know Uncle Grant’s preferences. As for anything else, he shouldn’t harbor ill intentions, right?"
Still indecisive.
The butler smiled in greeting, "Miss, you’re back?"
"Hmm, where’s my mom?"
"Madam is inside, she was just talking about you."
Hearing this, Evelyn Thorne absentmindedly got out of the car.
Preparing to enter the house.
She suddenly noticed an armored luxury car parked to the side.
"Hmm, do we have guests?"
The butler nodded, "Yes, Mr. Ford has arrived."
Evelyn Thorne’s pupils widened, "Mr. Ford?"
"Yes."
"Oh, okay."
Evelyn’s heart inexplicably skipped a few beats.
Julian Grant’s father had the surname Ford, and his given name was Leo.
In all of Caldwen, not many knew Julian Grant was Leo Ford’s son.
But Evelyn Thorne, having grown up with Julian, certainly knew.
A moment later.
She had just stepped into the house.
Mrs. Thornton came to meet her, "Evelyn, you finally made it home! You troublesome girl, out all the time!"
Evelyn Thorne stuck out her tongue playfully, "Mommy, is Daddy home today?"
"Yes, your Daddy just returned from a business trip. Uncle Ford is also here. Hurry and tidy up, then go greet Uncle Ford."
"Alright."
Evelyn took a deep breath and turned towards the stairs, her fingers unconsciously pressing the inside of her purse.
The small eavesdropping device felt like a branding iron, heavy even through the fabric.
Just as she reached the second-floor corner.
She heard men’s voices coming from the living room.
Her father’s voice was steady, mixed with Leo Ford’s slightly hoarse laugh.
She paused, quietly moving behind the carved railing to look down.
Leo Ford sat on the main sofa, holding a cigar between his fingers, his shirt sleeves rolled up to his forearms, listening with lowered eyes.
Her father sat opposite, holding a teacup, his brows slightly furrowed as if discussing something important.
The two sipped tea and chatted nonchalantly about family matters.
Evelyn Thorne listened for a while, but it was all insignificant chitchat.
Of course.
For confidential talks, they would definitely find a more secluded place, like her father’s study.
Leo Ford flicked his cigar ash, "Next month, there’s a trip to Azania. Be cautious."
"Of course."
As they spoke.
Leo Ford glanced up and noticed Evelyn behind the railing, raising his chin, "Evelyn’s here?"
Evelyn Thorne quickly went down, smiling in greeting, "Hello, Uncle Ford."
Leo Ford gave a kindly smile, exuding an aura of authority without anger, "Evelyn’s really grown into a young lady, getting more beautiful."
Mrs. Thornton walked over, smiling, "Indeed, in the blink of an eye, the kids from both our families have grown up. The last time I saw Julian, he startled me. Grown so tall, handsome and spirited."
Leo Ford furrowed his brows, sounding helpless, "...Ah, don’t mention that little rascal."
Evelyn’s heart tightened slightly, smiling to follow her mother’s words, "Julian’s been impressive since childhood, and now he’s even more accomplished."
As she spoke, her gaze involuntarily drifted toward her father’s study.
That was the place she truly cared about.
Leo Ford seemed poked at, snorted while drawing on his cigar, "Accomplished? Always out, more concerned about those trivial matters than about this old father."
His tone was laden with reproach, eyes showing a hint of helplessness.
Julian Grant had always been a notorious troublemaker since young.
Extremely rebellious, mischievous, and unruly.
Compared to his brother, they were worlds apart.
Mr. Thornton timely mediated, "Boys grow to have their own worlds. Julian, that child, is stable and measured."
He put down his teacup, glancing at Evelyn Thorne, "Since you just returned, go make Uncle Ford a cup of tea."
"Okay." Evelyn responded, turning towards the tea room.
As she passed by the study door.
She slowed her pace, as the eavesdropping device inside her purse seemed to grow even hotter.
Had father deliberately sent her away to discuss serious matters with Leo Ford in the study?
When she returned with the tea set, she indeed saw her father and Leo Ford heading towards the study.
As Leo Ford passed by her, he patted her shoulder, "Evelyn, your tea must taste better than your dad’s."
Evelyn Thorne forced a calm smile, watching them step into the study, the door clicked shut.
She gripped the teapot tightly, her knuckles turning white.
The opportunity had come, yet her heart pounded as if it would jump out of her throat.
Mrs. Thornton tidied the fruit platter nearby, casually remarking, "Uncle Ford and your dad have matters to discuss, let’s not disturb them."
"Okay." Evelyn replied, her gaze fixed on the closed study door.
The switch to the eavesdropping device was right beneath her fingertips; by pressing it, she could hear everything inside.
But if discovered... she dared not think further, just standing there, caught between advancing and retreating.
Mrs. Thornton arranged the mango pieces onto a crystal plate, skewering a piece with a toothpick and offering it to Evelyn, a smile in her eyes, "Uncle Ford was just saying, Julian has no one who understands him closely around."
Evelyn bit into the mango, mumbling, "Julian is so excellent, there’s surely no shortage of admirers."
"What’s the use of being excellent?" Mrs. Thornton cast her a glance, lowering her voice, "Those who hover around him either eyeing his family or his reputation, none have the genuine connection you both built growing up together."
She glanced toward the study, "Your Uncle Ford and your dad share a life-and-death bond; if our families could be even closer, it would be perfect."
Evelyn’s heart skipped a beat, the eavesdropping device seemed to sense this, pressing anxiously against her palm.
She avoided her mother’s gaze, pretending to adjust her dress, "Mommy, what are you saying? Julian and I are like siblings."
"Siblings?" Mrs. Thornton raised an eyebrow, handing her a slice of melon, "Didn’t you insist on being Julian’s bride as a child, giving him your dad’s cherished jade pendant as a token of love? Forgotten already?"
The words made Evelyn’s cheeks burn. Just as she wanted to retort, her mother sighed, "Your dad often says, for families like ours, marrying someone well-known and understood is crucial. The Ford Family, what a family! Julian and you are well-suited; you should consider it carefully."
Evelyn’s mind was a tangled mess, she mumbled, "Got it."
Her fingers unconsciously stroked her purse.
Seeing her daughter not responding, Mrs. Thornton said no more, calmly wiping her hands with a cloth, "We’re inviting Uncle Ford’s family for dinner tonight."
"Julian and his mother will come too, so go and freshen up."
The teapot in Evelyn’s hand wobbled, warm tea splashing on her hand. Still, she didn’t feel the heat.
"Julian is coming too?"
"Indeed." Mrs. Thornton inserted a comb into her hair, "Had the butler pick him up deliberately, he should be arriving soon."
"Your hair’s a mess. Hurry upstairs and change into something different, put on some makeup, and dress elegantly and graceful."
After she spoke.
She pointed towards Evelyn’s wardrobe, "Wear that pearl white dress. Auntie Grant praised it last time, remember?"
Evelyn tightened her grip on the teapot, "Mom, isn’t this a bit too much? It’s not the first meeting, no need to be so formal..."
"What’s troublesome?"
Mrs. Thornton glanced at her daughter but softened her tone, "Your Aunt Ford has mentioned many times that she hopes the two kids can be well. Everyone’s here today, just right for Uncle Ford to see how graceful our Evelyn is."
She leaned in closer, lowering her voice, "That Julian kid’s feelings for you are different. You think I, as your mom, can’t tell? He protected you when you were little, and would be the first to rush over whenever someone bullied you. Also, didn’t you two date before?"
Evelyn frowned, impatiently saying, "That was all in the past."
"I have no feelings for him now, and it’s absolutely impossible for me to marry him. Besides, he thinks I’m beneath him as well."
The more Evelyn talked, the more angered she became.
Just thinking about Julian’s various underhanded tricks against her crush.
Her anger surged.
Him showing up today was perfect.
She would confront him properly and warn him to stop targeting Nathaniel.
...
At six thirty in the evening.
Several luxury cars drove sequentially into the Thornton’s mansion.
Mrs. Thornton greeted Mrs. Grant with a smile, "Welcome, welcome, long time no see."
Mrs. Grant smiled and patted Mrs. Thornton’s back of the hand, a gentle and warm smile in her eyes, "Yes, it’s been a while. Recently, Ford had been mentioning how we should visit the Thornton’s. Glad we found the time."
She peered inside the door, her gaze falling on Evelyn, her eyes brightening, "Evelyn is looking more and more stunning, even more so than last time I saw her."
Evelyn felt a bit uneasy from the praise.
Just as she was about to greet them.
She saw Julian stepping out from behind the car.
He wore a black turtleneck shirt, layered with a dark trench coat, his posture upright, yet carrying an air of casual nonchalance.
When his gaze swept over Evelyn, his lips curved into a perfunctory expression of indifference.
It was clear he was coerced into coming to the Thornton’s for dinner.
Evelyn’s anger surged, but with the elders present from both families, she couldn’t explode.
"Hello, Auntie Grant."
"Come on, everyone, let’s head inside!"
After exchanging a few pleasantries, the two families entered the dining room.
Inside the dining room.
The table was already set, with an extravagant spread of delicacies.
Frankly speaking.
The reason for tonight’s gathering was to discuss the marriage between Julian and Evelyn.
The elders were keen to match them up.
Unfortunately...
Julian and Evelyn had no interest in each other.
"Please, sit down, make yourselves at home, as if this were your own house."
Mr. Thornton guided Leo Ford to sit first.
Mrs. Thornton pulled Mrs. Grant to sit beside her, leaving the vacant seats conveniently surrounding Evelyn and Julian together.
As Evelyn was about to move to the side, she was held in place by her mother’s gaze.
She could only reluctantly sit down, feeling Julian beside her exuding an air of "reluctant compliance."
During the meal.
Mrs. Grant continuously served Evelyn food, her words filled with insinuation: "Evelyn, try this bird’s nest soup. It’s specially sourced from Malaysia, good for young ladies. Julian, peel a shrimp for Evelyn, be a gentleman."
Julian paused his hand holding the chopsticks, seemingly ignoring, and continued drinking his soup.
Evelyn forced a polite smile, "Auntie Grant, I can peel it myself, no need to trouble the esteemed young master, lest he gets delayed thinking of how to set traps for others."
Her words carried thorns.
Julian finally looked up, the corners of his lips twisting into a mocking smile.
But he was unwilling to argue.
"Uncle Thornton, Aunt Thornton, I’ve had enough to eat. I have some matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave."
... The four elders were stunned.
Leo Ford’s face was dark, coughing sharply, "No manners."
Julian seemed to ignore his father’s reprimand, setting down his chopsticks and getting up, his movements crisp and decisive, "I have some work waiting at home, apologies."
As his gaze swept past Evelyn, it carried an inscrutable meaning, "Miss Thornton, take your time enjoying the meal without worrying about me."
"You child!" Mrs. Grant hurriedly tried grabbing him but he deftly evaded.
As Evelyn watched him leave, the fury inside her suddenly flared up.
What right did he have to leave as he pleased? What right did he have to always look at her with those eyes that seemed to see through everything?
She shot up, "Julian, stop right there, what do you mean by this?!"
The whole table paused in surprise.
Mrs. Thornton quickly tugged on her daughter’s coat, "Evelyn, don’t make a scene!"
Evelyn shook off her mother’s hand, staring directly at Julian, "Leaving while the meal’s unfinished, is this how you respect elders? Or is it that you don’t dare to stay, afraid I’ll expose your little tricks?"
Julian turned around, raising his eyebrow to look at her, "Oh? What little tricks do I have for you to expose?"
Evelyn was indignant, "You know exactly what you’ve done."
"What have I done?"
Leo Ford slammed down his wine glass, his voice deep, "Enough! Julian, sit down!"
He was always authoritative, and this command halted Julian’s steps.
Mrs. Grant hurriedly tried to smooth things over, "The kids are just being ornery, Ford, don’t get upset. Julian, quickly apologize to your Uncle and Aunt Thornton, sit down and finish your meal."
Julian pressed his lips, saying nothing, nor did he move.
Mr. Thornton sighed, "Forget it, young people have their own matters. If you must leave, then leave, but know the manners next time."
Julian nodded, bowing slightly to Mr. and Mrs. Thornton as a farewell, then turned to leave.
"Julian, wait, I have something to say to you."
With that.
Evelyn also rose, chasing after him outside.
Mrs. Thornton looked embarrassed, "Young people are hot-tempered..."
Mrs. Grant joined in the smile, "Let them be, it’s good for them to talk alone. Let’s continue with our meal, ignoring them."
"Yes, yes."
...
Julian walked briskly to the car, opened the door, and got in.
Before he could start the car.
Evelyn caught up, angrily sitting in the passenger seat.
Julian frowned, "Get out."
Evelyn equally furious, "I have matters to discuss with you."
"Heh~, what matters could you possibly have with me?"
Evelyn: "You know what you’ve done. Must I spell it out for you?"
Julian: "Then do spell it out, because I truly don’t know what I’ve done."
Evelyn choked on her breath in anger, indignantly saying, "Haven’t you been targeting Mr. Gallagher behind his back?"
... Julian frowned, looking at her with impatience.
"Julian, I’m warning you, Mr. Gallagher is a dear friend of mine. If you dare to scheme against him, you’re pitting yourself against me."
