Chapter 14
Nathan took the pencil from Jayden’s grip and grabbed a fresh sheet of paper to sketch a man’s figure. He never studied art but had a knack for painting since he was a kid. Sadly, Jayden didn’t inherit this talent.
Soon, Jayden recognized it was Nathan and looked up at him. In the dim light, Nathan lowered his captivating eyes, his handsome profile forming a faint smile. His fingers holding the pencil were remarkably slender, with distinct joints and graceful fingertips.
Next, Nathan swiftly outlined a child with just a few strokes. The child sported sleek, orderly hair and clasped the man’s hand with a composed expression.
Jayden blushed, realizing it was himself.
Nathan subtly lifted his lips. His smile rendered him exceptionally handsome, but he rarely flashed it. Only in Jayden’s presence would he smile, exuding an inexplicable charm.
Then, Nathan sketched a lifelike woman, who wore a long white dress with her hands behind her back and head gently leaning on the man’s shoulder. Her brown locks cascaded over her shoulders, and her lovely red lips curved into a sweet smile.
Nathan’s painting skills were amazing, and the expressions were vivid with only a few strokes. Jayden was stunned, recognizing that the woman was not Meredith. This is not Mommy.”
“Yes, this is Mommy, Nathan affirmed.
Jayden’s eyes sparkled. He reached out unconsciously and gently stroked the woman’s face on the paper with his fingertips. ‘Mommy… he wondered. Even though it was just a painting, he felt strangely warm in his heart.
Nathan proceeded to sketch two innocent faces of a boy and a girl, the two children he and Cassidy had lost. “If they were still kickin, they’d be darlin‘, he reflected.
He paused slightly when he drew the girl’s eyes. Somehow, he suddenly remembered that day in Pablo’s office when he had inadvertently glanced at Paisley in Cassidy’s arms. That pair of innocent eyes was exactly the same as Cassidy’s. If I had a daughter, her eyes had to be as lovely as hers, he mused. He unconsciously outlined a pair of eyes and a cute little nose.
Jayden widened his eyes slightly. “This is Paisley?”
“Paisley?” Nathan asked.
“Yes, your drawing resembles Paisley.” Jayden stared at Nathan blankly. “Why’d you draw her?”
Nathan frowned, and something flashed across his mind. He seemed to have overlooked some crucial details.
Jayden took his pen and added a few strokes to Paisley’s face. “Paisley’s mouth is very small. He struggled to trace a plump little mouth and outlined it with a pink pencil. “Like this.”
Nathan’s gaze fell upon the painting–a vivid family portrait. Observing the four figures in the same frame, he grew pensive.
Suddenly, David’s angry voice came from outside the door. “Where is Nathan?”
“Mr. Nathan Howell is upstairs,” a servant answered.
Nathan said to Jayden, “You draw first.”
“Okay.” Jayden also heard David’s voice but turned a deaf ear. He ignored everyone in the Howell family except Nathan.
As Nathan exited the study and hit the downstairs living room, he caught sight of a furious David.
David raised his head and saw Nathan walking down the stairs. Enraged, he grabbed a cup from the table and hurled i
Nathan.
The liquid splattered on Nathan’s shirt, and the cup shattered at his feet, the broken pieces nicking the back of his hand. He looked at David coldly. “Grandpa, you seem quite angry”
“You know it? What did you say to Meredith?” David questioned.
“I told her I would break off our engagement,” Nathan replied.
Chapter 14
David’s eyes widened in anger. “What?”
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didn’t hear it clearly, I’ll gladly repeat it. Nathan treaded on the debris expressionlessly and sauntered down the stairs coldly until he came to David. “I want to break off my engagement with her. He paused after each word to ensure David wouldn’t miss any part of it.
“I won’t allow it!” David became even more angry. “Why did you break off the engagement for no reason? That’s ridiculous”
“It’s absurd to expect me to marry someone I ain’t in love with,” Nathan shot back.
“You!” David seethed, yet lost for words.
Nathan paused and uttered coldly. “If you like her so much, why don’t you marry her?”
“You bastard, are you trying to piss me off on purpose? How can you say such nonsense?” David’s rage boiled over as he raised his hand and delivered a forceful slap across Nathan’s face.
Nathan stood his ground, meeting David’s gaze with an icy stare. “I got one wife only. Cassidy’s her name.”
David grew even more infuriated. “You are still thinking about that woman? She’s been gone for five whole years! You wanna go dig up her grave or somethin‘?”
Nathan remained silent. He truly intended to relocate the grave. If Cassidy was still out there, then the person interred in the Howell family cemetery had to be someone else.
“Even if she is still alive, can she hold a candle to Meredith? She is a brat raised by a club dancer. Though she is the real heiress of the Jensen family, how can she compare with Meredith?” After a pause, David turned his head away. “I won’t allow it no matter what! The news of the engagement has been released. What should the Jensen family do if you break off the engagement at this point?”
“I’m Nathan Howell. Do I need to consider the Jensen family’s reputation?” Nathan sneered
“You’ve grown strong, huh? You even dare to disobey my words?” David roared.
A cold smirk played on Nathan’s lips. Even in the face of David, he maintained a steely countenance. “Im leadin‘ the Howell family and Cypress Corporation. I ain’t keen on hitchin‘ with her, but you’re pressin‘ the issue. So how’s that for defiance?”
“How dare you! This is just… outrageous! Do you really think you can control everything?” David knocked on the floor with his cane. “Meredith is in the hospital now. She is too sad to eat because of your words. Don’t you feel distressed at all?”
“That’s all I have to say. With that, Nathan turned around and walked upstairs.
David glared at his retreating figure, his face flushed with indignation. “Stop! You insistent on this path, don’t blame me for takin‘ other measures!”
Nathan turned a deaf ear and didn’t stop.
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