Chapter 568: Pillow Talk (2)
Chapter 568: Chapter 568: Pillow Talk (2)
But on second thought, Brooke realized that if Vera were to feign understanding, she would only embarrass herself further. So, Vera’s choice was a clever one.
Her expression softened a bit, and she said to Vera, "Line drawings, with their simple strokes, are actually a better test of one’s artistic skill and flair. Why don’t you draw something for me to see?"
Vera looked over at Nathaniel. He gave a slight nod, and only then did she follow Brooke into the adjacent study.
Once the two of them were gone, Beckett Nathan said quietly, "You’ve got a lot of nerve, kid. Bringing her back just like that. Aren’t you afraid your mother will disapprove?"
"It’s not that I’ve got nerve. Mom just happened to run into us today. If I hadn’t brought Vera home, *that* would have been the real problem," Nathaniel said, also lowering his voice.
If he hadn’t brought Vera back today, Brooke would have assumed they were just casually dating. In Brooke’s eyes, Vera would have come across as a girl who acts tough but has no real backbone.
Because of that, Brooke would think Vera wasn’t important to him. If he tried to bring her home later, she would probably give Vera an even harder time.
So, by bringing Vera to the Nathan Family home today, he was really just making his position clear: he was serious about her.
Beckett, of course, understood Nathaniel’s intentions. He chuckled, pointed a finger at him, and asked, "So you’ve decided she’s the one?"
"Didn’t I already make that clear to you on the phone?" Nathaniel said slowly. "I never joke."
Beckett looked at Nathaniel’s serious expression and gave a slight nod. "It’s good that you’ve thought it through. It’s just... your mother has been in Veridia searching for a well-born, high-society young woman for you, and Vera isn’t on her list. This could get a little messy."
Nathaniel asked him, "Is this about that whole political marriage game again?"
Beckett glared at him. "Watch your mouth!"
"But it’s the truth," Nathaniel said slowly. "I’ve known about the games you all play since I was a child. If it weren’t for that, Aunt wouldn’t have married that man, and she wouldn’t have suffered all these years. Then there’s Second Uncle, who married a shrew, making Grandfather so angry he packed up and retired to Crestfall..."
"Shut up!" Beckett hissed, glaring at him. But he was afraid of Vera and Brooke overhearing, so his voice was low, robbing the command of most of its force.
"Have I said a single thing that isn’t true?" A hint of disdain flashed in Nathaniel’s eyes. "It’s only because you’ve been in charge these past few years that you can keep those with ulterior motives in line. Otherwise, who knows what a mess this family would be. Outsiders only see the Nathan Family’s prestige, not the chaos festering within."
Beckett reached out and lightly rapped him on the head. "You’re still spouting nonsense!"
"I’m just speaking my mind. You don’t need to get so worked up," Nathaniel said calmly. "It’s precisely because I grew up watching all of you play those games that I’m so sick of them. I told myself when I was just a boy that my marriage would be my own decision. I won’t be controlled by anyone."
"Don’t tell me that’s been your motivation to work so hard all this time?" Beckett said in a low voice.
Nathaniel spread his hands. "Why not?"
’He would never sacrifice his own happiness for anyone or anything. He didn’t think the Nathan Family’s status was all that great, anyway. He was the eldest grandson of the Nathan Family, yes, but he was also his own person.’