Chapter 208: Are you dating someone

Alex emptied his glass and slammed it onto the counter, a sudden determination flashing in his eyes.

"No way am I letting Clara move on from me. She loved me! There’s no way she’s gotten over me so easily," he muttered through gritted teeth.

The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became that he could still win her back.

So what if she knew about him and Julianna? Everyone made mistakes, didn’t they?

And knowing how easily Clara had fallen for his sweet words in the past, Alex was certain that a few tears and a heartfelt apology would be enough to melt her heart.

I’ll tell her I regret everything. That Julianna manipulated me and I never stopped loving her.

A smug smile slowly spread across his face.

After all, what was the point of staying with Julianna anymore?

With Hayes Enterprises under investigation, there was little hope of the family recovering its fortune anytime soon. Julianna had already become a financial burden, and Alex had no intention of wasting his life supporting her.

Clara, on the other hand, was now married to one of the wealthiest men in the country.

Just imagining the luxurious life he could enjoy through her made his eyes gleam with greed.

"That’s right. Clara still has feelings for me. She just needs a little reminder," he murmured confidently.

He leaned back in his chair, already picturing their emotional reunion.

He would apologize, shed a few tears, and convince her that getting involved with Julianna had been the biggest mistake of his life.

"Once she forgives me, everything will fall into place."

A triumphant grin appeared on his face.

"And then we can enjoy Dominic Sterling’s fortune together!"

Alex chuckled to himself, completely overlooking one rather important detail.

Clara was no longer the naive girl who had once believed his every word.

And Dominic Sterling certainly wasn’t a man who would happily finance his wife’s ex-boyfriend.

***

The next morning, everyone gathered around the dining table at Pearl Mansion, with Nicolas occupying his usual seat at the head while the others settled into their respective places.

Completely unaware of the thoughts troubling Grace and Jonathan, Nicolas continued enjoying his breakfast.

Hannah, however, had begun noticing something rather strange.

Her parents kept stealing glances at her.

At first, she ignored them. But when she caught Grace staring at her for the third time, she finally put down her fork and slowly turned toward them.

"Mom? Dad?"

Grace and Jonathan immediately stiffened.

"Hmm?" Grace responded, smiling a little too brightly.

"Why do you keep looking at me?"

For a moment, neither of them said anything.

Then, as though they had silently agreed on a perfectly reasonable response, both burst into awkward laughter.

"Hahaha! What are you talking about, sweetheart?" Jonathan asked.

"Exactly! Can’t we look at our own daughter?" Grace added.

Hannah stared at them.

"..."

Nicolas paused halfway through his breakfast and looked from one to the other.

"Why are you two laughing all of a sudden?"

"Nothing, Dad!" Jonathan replied, still chuckling.

Nicolas narrowed his eyes.

"Did I miss a joke?"

"No, Grandpa," Hannah said dryly. "Apparently, my face is hilarious this morning."

Jonathan immediately reached for his coffee.

Grace, meanwhile, noticed Hannah’s barely touched breakfast and seized the opportunity to change the subject.

"Hannah, dear, you need to eat more!"

She promptly placed another helping of food onto her daughter’s plate.

Hannah blinked.

"Mom, I haven’t even finished what’s already there."

"You’ve been looking a little thin lately."

"Thin?" Hannah glanced down at herself. "Since when?"

"Since this morning," Nicolas muttered.

Jonathan nearly choked on his coffee.

Grace shot him a warning look before turning back to Hannah with a loving smile.

"Just eat, sweetheart. You need to take better care of yourself."

Hannah looked suspiciously between her parents.

"Okay, what’s going on? Did you two do something wrong?"

"Of course not!" they answered simultaneously.

Nicolas slowly lowered his spoon.

"Now I’m suspicious too."

Hannah folded her arms.

"Grandpa, I think we need to investigate them."

Grace sighed.

"For heaven’s sake, Hannah! Can’t a mother worry about her daughter?"

Hannah glanced at the mountain of food on her plate.

"Worry about me all you want, Mom. Just don’t try to feed me enough for three people!"

Grace pursed her lips, realizing that she might have gone a little overboard with her concern.

"Alright, I won’t force you. But promise me you won’t skip your meals."

Hannah nodded obediently.

"I promise, Mom. Now, can I please finish my breakfast in peace?"

Grace finally relented.

"Fine, fine. Eat your breakfast."

Hannah sighed in relief and returned her attention to her plate.

Meanwhile, Grace discreetly glanced at Jonathan, who immediately raised his eyebrows, silently urging her to continue their conversation with Hannah.

Grace shot him an incredulous look.

Are you serious? Why don’t you ask her yourself?

Jonathan subtly tilted his head toward their daughter.

You’re her mother!

Grace narrowed her eyes.

And you’re her father!

Unfortunately, their little exchange didn’t go unnoticed.

Nicolas slowly lowered his teacup and stared at the couple.

"What on earth is wrong with you two?"

Grace and Jonathan immediately straightened.

"Nothing, Dad!" they replied in unison.

Nicolas frowned.

"Nothing? You’ve been making faces at each other for the past five minutes. Are you having an argument without opening your mouths?"

Hannah burst into laughter.

"Grandpa, I think Mom and Dad have developed some kind of secret language."

Nicolas nodded thoughtfully.

"Apparently. And neither of them seems particularly good at it."

Jonathan cleared his throat.

"We were just discussing something."

"With your eyebrows?" Hannah asked innocently.

Grace nearly choked on her tea.

Nicolas shook his head.

"Good heavens! I’ve lived long enough to see my son become a professional eyebrow dancer."

"Dad!" Jonathan protested.

Hannah dissolved into another fit of laughter while Grace hurriedly hid her embarrassment behind her teacup.

Jonathan sighed.

So much for having a serious conversation.

Grace shot Jonathan a warning glare before ignoring their teasing. Setting her teacup aside, she turned to Hannah with an unusually sweet smile.

"Hannah, darling, can I ask you something?"

Hannah paused, her fork hovering halfway to her mouth.

"Hmm?"

Something about her mother’s smile immediately set off alarm bells.

"Are you dating someone?"

"..."

Hannah nearly dropped her fork.

Jonathan suddenly became fascinated by his breakfast, while Nicolas leaned forward with renewed interest.