When Slian saw Lu Xia co in from outside holding a bouquet of roses, with Cecil by her side, he raised an eyebrow in surprise. ’It seems Cecil is finally getting a clue.’
Although Cecil’s expression looked the sa as usual, his unconcealable joy was evident. Lu Xia handed the roses to the old butler and said, "Please take good care of them."
The old butler smiled and said, "Of course," then couldn’t help but glance at Cecil. ’That fellow finally did sothing right,’ he thought.
Lu Xia greeted Slian and went to her room to freshen up and change.
Cecil looked at Slian and asked, "Do you have sothing to say?"
Slian shrugged. "What’s there to say? That the flowers you sent are lovely? Or to ask why you suddenly decided to send them?"
"Can’t I send flowers?"
Slian could tell Cecil was trying to show off, but he had no intention of giving him the satisfaction.
"Of course you can. Whatever makes you happy."
After saying that, Slian even gave him a smile, looking exceptionally friendly.
Cecil watched Slian turn to help the old butler set the dinner table, feeling as if his punch had once again landed on a wad of cotton. Slian didn’t seem to care in the slightest that he was trying to attract Duke Lu Xia’s attention. ’Why? How can he be so nonchalant?’
He gritted his teeth, resentful but with no way to vent his frustration.
When Lu Xia ca downstairs for dinner, Cecil was quick to pull out her chair for her.
Slian took in the scene but said nothing. He simply handed a glass of warm water to Lu Xia and asked, "Did work go well today?"
Lu Xia replied with a smile, "It went very well."
Such daily conversations took place in the ho almost every day—simple, yet heartwarming.
Listening to their casual small talk, Cecil felt a pang of envy. He could never be as natural as Slian. After a mont’s hesitation, he said, "Duke, there’s a play opening at the Grand Theater soon. When you have so free ti, I’d like to take you to see it."
As he spoke, Cecil was filled with nervous anticipation.
Lu Xia hadn’t expected an invitation on top of the flowers. Just as she was about to answer, she heard Slian say, "Won’t there be a lot of people at the theater? It might not be safe."
Lu Xia understood what Slian was worried about. In her current condition, it really wasn’t a good idea to go to crowded places. Besides, she wasn’t very interested in plays herself. eting Cecil’s expectant gaze, she said apologetically, "If you’d like to watch it, we can watch it together at ho."
Rejected. Cecil’s lips twisted into an unnatural smile. "All right," he said. "We can go whenever it’s convenient for you, then."
After that, silence fell over the dinner table once more.
After dinner, Slian sought out Cecil. "I don’t mind you asking Xiaxia out," he began, "but don’t take her anywhere crowded. She’s in a delicate condition right now, so her safety needs to be the top priority."
Cecil retorted sarcastically, "And now you’re trying to control where the Duke goes?"
Looking at the oblivious Cecil, Slian said, "I’m just reminding you that Xiaxia’s safety is more important than anything else."
He left him with those words, offering no further explanation as he turned and walked away.
Cecil ran a hand through his hair in frustration. He could only see this as a provocation from Slian, a way to flaunt his special status with Duke Lu Xia.
Just as Slian was heading back to the master bedroom, he saw Lu Xia on the staircase, about to co down. Their eyes t, and Slian knew instantly that she had seen his confrontation with Cecil.
And sure enough, a mont later, Lu Xia asked, "What did you say to Cecil? He didn’t seem very happy."
Slian bit his lip. "I was just reminding him that when he invites you out, he shouldn’t take you anywhere too crowded. Your condition is delicate, so you need to be extra careful about your safety."
At this, Slian looked at Lu Xia apprehensively. "Do you think I overstepped by doing that?"
"Don’t overthink it, Slian. I’m not blaming you. As far as I’m concerned, as long as you and Cecil don’t co to blows, we’re fine."
She finished speaking, then walked over and gave Slian a hug. "However," she added, "Cecil probably doesn’t know about my current condition. Don’t you plan on telling him?"
Slian was slightly taken aback. "I thought you didn’t want it ntioned."
"No. Since he’s a mber of this family now, he’ll find out eventually. Besides, I trust he won’t go around talking about it."
Slian nodded. "All right. I’ll find an opportunity to tell him."
Telling outsiders about her pregnancy always made Lu Xia feel a bit awkward. She feigned a casual air. "There’s no need to make a big deal of it. Just let it co up naturally."
"What were you coming downstairs to do?"
"Oh, Little Pu Tao and the Breeding Master are downstairs. I wanted to go see them. Want to co?"
"Sure."
When they reached the dining room, they happened to see the Breeding Master holding Little Pu Tao and feeding him so fruit puree. Little Pu Tao was now old enough for so solid foods and wasn’t just drinking milk anymore.
Upon seeing Lu Xia, Little Pu Tao happily reached out his chubby little hands, babbling, "AH, AH."
Lu Xia walked over and took Little Pu Tao into her arms. The baby imdiately wrapped his arms around her neck, snuggling and nuzzling against her.
Slian went to pour a glass of warm water for Lu Xia, and when he returned, he smoothly took Little Pu Tao from her arms.
Little Pu Tao was very well-behaved; anyone in the family could hold him. Held in Slian’s arms, Little Pu Tao reached out to grab his hair, then grabbed his own, as if to show everyone that they were different.
With a smile in his eyes, Slian lifted Little Pu Tao high into the air, and the little one imdiately burst out laughing.
He couldn’t help but wonder, ’When my own baby is born, will they be this adorable?’
Lu Xia drank her water and played with Little Pu Tao for a while longer. Only when it was getting late did she let the Breeding Master take Little Pu Tao away.
Watching the innocent and happy Little Pu Tao, Lu Xia couldn’t help but think of Graces.
Several days had passed, and there was still no word from Graces. To say she wasn’t worried would be a lie, but on the bright side, no news was a kind of good news.
Noticing the downcast look on Lu Xia’s face, Slian’s heart clenched. He walked over to her. "What is it? Are you feeling unwell?"
"I’m fine, don’t worry. Let’s go rest." Lu Xia gave Slian a smile but didn’t elaborate.
After a dreamless night, Lu Xia received the 300 million in compensation from the Daferno family on her terminal early the next morning. It had to be said, the Daferno family was quite good at keeping their promises.
The mont the funds landed in the account, a ssage from Sivier arrived: "The compensation has been deposited into the research institute’s account. Please confirm receipt, Your Grace."
"I’ve received it. As far as we’re concerned, this matter is now closed."
"I still hope Your Grace will consider my other proposals."
Clearly, Sivier hadn’t given up. Lu Xia was genuinely baffled—what kind of image did the Daferno family have of her?
She didn’t reply. There was no way she would ever agree to another request from the Daferno family. As far as she was concerned, the arrival of the 300 million marked the definitive end of their association.
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