A Night of Desire-Chapter 41: She Does Have Someone She Likes, It’s Just That...

Hearing her mother say, "If you have someone you like, you can try dating them," Clara Grant’s lowered eyes darkened. ’I do have someone I like, but...’

By the time she looked up, her face was once again lit with a bright smile. In a slightly wheedling tone, she drew out her words, "Mom~ You believe Cherie? Where would I find someone I like? Besides, I don’t have the time or the inclination to be in a relationship right now."

Skylar Hayes paused, her spoon hovering over her porridge, and looked at her daughter guiltily. "Clara, I’m still a burden to you. A girl your age should be enjoying a carefree life at university, but you..."

"Mom, what are you talking about? How are you a burden to me? If anything, I’m the one who’s a burden to you, making you help me take care of..."

At this, Clara Grant cut herself off, afraid Cherie would overhear and think he was the burden she was talking about. "In any case, we’re a family—you, Cherie, and me. No one is a burden to anyone else. Don’t worry. When the time is right for me to date, I will. I won’t stay at home and end up an old maid."

She finished with a playful wink, which made Skylar Hayes chuckle softly.

But when Cherie heard Clara Grant say that he was part of their family, he blinked. He quietly took a sip of his porridge, then looked up at them and declared, "Of course she won’t end up an old maid. I’m going to make my uncle marry you. Besides, for someone as wonderful as you, no one is good enough for you except for my uncle."

Skylar Hayes was confused. "What uncle?"

Clara Grant rolled her eyes. ’He’s really gotten hooked on saying that.’

"It’s nothing. He’s just a kid, daydreaming."

Skylar Hayes also figured Cherie was just saying silly things like kids do, so she didn’t press the issue and went back to her breakfast.

Cherie looked indignant. ’I’m not daydreaming, and I’m not saying silly things!’ He puffed out his cheeks but didn’t argue any further.

’When the truth comes out, they’ll know I wasn’t just making things up.’

"I’m done, Mom. Heading to class now." Clara Grant finished her porridge, put down her spoon, and stood up. "Cherie, be a good boy for Grandma. Bye-bye."

"Bye-bye." Cherie turned to wave at Clara Grant, who was already at the dining room doorway, then went back to eating his porridge.

...

「The Quinn Family Villa.」

The Quinn family villa was sprawling. Though the family itself wasn’t particularly large—just two sons and a daughter—the vast estate was divided into four separate residences: a main house and three smaller ones.

This way, when the children grew up, they could have their own homes on the property, allowing them to live together as a family while still maintaining their own private, undisturbed space.

Each residence was fully equipped, built to a uniform standard yet functioning as an independent home.

Each residence also had its own name, based on the plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum: The Plumstead, Orchidia, Bamboo Garden, and Maranthea, respectively.

At that moment, in the dining room of the main residence, The Plumstead, a long dining table was laden with an assortment of dishes. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

Theodore Quinn, Sienna Hale, and Seth Quinn were seated at the table, each attended by a servant. To get what they wanted, they merely had to point, and a servant would place the desired item on a plate and set it before them.

Once the three of them had made their selections, Theodore Quinn’s gaze swept across the table. His brow furrowed slightly as he spoke in a low, stern voice, "Why isn’t Miles here for breakfast yet? Mrs. Wyatt, give him a call and hurry him along."

"Miles didn’t get back from his shoot until very late last night," Sienna Hale interjected, the very picture of a doting mother. "Why bother him? Just let him sleep in a bit."

"It doesn’t matter how late he got back or how tired he is. He will get up on time for breakfast," Theodore Quinn said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Mrs. Wyatt, go."

"Yes, sir," Mrs. Wyatt answered, then went to make the call.