Chapter 764 - 761: Two - s in One

Chapter 764: Chapter 761: Two Chapters in One

Stepping out of the main residence’s hall, Clara Grant let out a sigh of relief. She glanced back at the large front door, finally able to relax.

Seth Quinn watched her, a smile in his eyes, and asked, "What did Mom say to make you so tense?"

Clara Grant’s eyes shot wide as she stared at him. "You could tell I was nervous? Was it that obvious?"

"Others might not have noticed, but of course I could. When I came downstairs, you shot to your feet, and the look in your eyes practically screamed, ’Get me out of here,’" Seth Quinn said as he opened the car door for her.

Once Clara Grant was in the car, he shut the door and walked around to the driver’s seat.

Clara waited until he was in the car with the door shut before smiling and saying, "No wonder you found an excuse to take me home the second you came downstairs. You really do know me so well. You can tell what I’m thinking with just a single glance!"

"Of course. I’m a pretty good husband, after all." Seth Quinn started the car and began the slow drive back to Orchidia.

"Hmm, yes, you’re a good husband now, but you’ve never been a good boyfriend," Clara suddenly blurted out.

Seth Quinn was taken aback. He turned his head to look at her. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, we never dated. I’ve never been in a proper relationship, and then I just married you and entered into matrimony. Don’t you think it’s a shame to go your whole life without ever really dating someone?" For some reason, Clara suddenly felt a little wronged for having gotten married without ever dating.

"I don’t think it’s a shame," Seth Quinn said, looking at her.

Hearing him contradict her, Clara’s almond-shaped eyes flashed with anger as she looked at him. But then he continued in a leisurely tone, "Because every day I’m with you feels like we’re dating."

A line like that would be devastatingly effective on any girl, and Clara was certainly no exception.

In an instant, the anger in her sparkling eyes was replaced by delight and shyness.

"But, that’s still not the same as actually dating. What I want is to enjoy that sweet process of you pursuing me and taking me on dates."

"I did pursue you. Back when I was getting you to marry me, I..."

"That doesn’t count!" Clara cut him off irritably before he could finish. ’He has the nerve to say that? How could that be called pursuing me? He was clearly forcing me, coercing me!’ "I want a warm, loving, and beautiful kind of courtship and romance."

Clara felt she was being a bit fanciful. Seth Quinn, a high-powered CEO who was busy from dawn till dusk, how could he possibly have time to play these kinds of games with her?

Besides, he probably found this sort of thing incredibly childish.

But to her surprise, Seth Quinn readily agreed.

"Alright. If that’s what you want, then starting tomorrow... no, starting right now, I’ll begin pursuing you."

"Really?" Clara was stunned for a second, then sat up straight and proper. "Alright then. We’ll see if you can win me over."

"I’m Seth Quinn, a grown man. You think I can’t even win over my own wife?" Seth boasted, but inwardly his heart was pounding. ’I’ve never dated anyone either, let alone pursued a girl. What experience do I have?’

The only experience he had was in applying pressure and forcing people into submission!

...

When the car reached Orchidia, Seth got out, then went to open Clara’s door. He placed one hand behind his back, bent slightly at the waist, and extended his other hand to help her out.

"My beautiful lady, may I have the pleasure of inviting you to dinner tonight?"

Seeing him acting so serious and proper, Clara smiled and played along, gently placing her hand in his and stepping elegantly out of the car. "It would be my honor."

"Thank you. In that case, let’s have our reservation at ’Orchidia Restaurant,’" Seth Quinn said, leading her inside. 𝘧𝓇ℯℴ𝓂

Clara’s playful mood was sparked as well. Walking into the Orchidia living room, she put on an act, looking all around and praising, "This restaurant looks quite nice."

"I’m glad you like it," Seth said. He glanced toward the kitchen, then added, "Why don’t you go rest in the ’private room’ upstairs for a bit? I’ll go order our food."

"Alright," Clara said with a smile, heading toward the so-called "private room" upstairs.

Mrs. Wyatt, who had just come out of the kitchen, overheard their conversation and froze. ’Order food? A private room?’

’What on earth is going on with the young master and young mistress?’

...

At the dining table, Clara Grant and Seth Quinn were seated at opposite ends of the long table while several maids bustled about, serving them their dishes.

Seth looked at Clara across the table and began, "Clara, these dishes are all your..."

Before he could finish, Clara gave a soft cough and corrected him in a delicate voice, "Excuse me, Mr. Quinn. We’re not that familiar with each other yet. Please, call me Miss Grant."

CLANG!

The moment she finished speaking, Shannon, who was serving soup, felt her hand tremble, and the ladle dropped into the tureen.

"S-sorry, Young Master, Young Mistress! I... I didn’t do it on purpose," Shannon apologized profusely, though a laugh she couldn’t suppress was evident in her voice.

Clara glanced up at the other maids. Without exception, they all wore expressions of either utter disbelief or poorly concealed amusement.

She coughed lightly, averting her gaze from them and letting it sweep over the dishes on the table. They were pretty much all of her favorites.

Her eyes twinkled as she looked at Seth and spoke in a soft voice again. "Mr. Quinn, I didn’t realize you were so considerate. You even know what a girl likes to eat."

PFFT!

A snort of laughter came from behind her. Clara turned to see Mrs. Wyatt with her head slightly bowed, hand clapped over her mouth as she tried to stifle her giggles.

Clara puffed out her cheeks and stared at her for a moment. Just as Mrs. Wyatt was beginning to think she was angry, Clara suddenly let out a "PFFT" and burst out laughing herself.

She turned back around and sat properly, then said to Seth Quinn, "Never mind. This whole act, this style, it just isn’t for me. It’s too dramatic. I’m giving myself goosebumps."

As she spoke, she even hugged herself for effect.

Seth Quinn watched her with a fond, doting smile. He waved a hand to dismiss the staff, then asked, "Well, what kind of style do you think suits you, then?"

Clara thought for a moment, then pouted and shook her head. "I don’t know. Ugh, let’s just eat first. We can put the whole dating thing aside for now. I’m starving."

With that, she picked up the soup bowl in front of her and took a large gulp.

’Mm, the kitchen’s soups seem to be getting more and more delicious lately.’

Seth smiled and shook his head. He also picked up his soup bowl and took an elegant sip, then looked at the little woman across from him who was practically wolfing down her food. He said:

"Slow down, you’ll burn yourself... You know, dating doesn’t mean you have to become someone else. Just be yourself. I love the real you. If you actually turned into that woman from a minute ago, I don’t think I’d like it at all."

Clara stopped drinking her soup. She thought for a moment, then smiled. "That’s true. The real me is way cuter than the pretentious me from a minute ago."