Chapter 35
Gerald composed himself and forced a smile.
“She’s right here–why not thank her yourself?”
“The Duncan family might have fallen on hard times, but even a broken–down house is bigger than a barn. They have traditions–no talking at meals, no chitchat at bedtime. Not like us Hopkinses, who don’t bother with all that etiquette,” Alfred replied coolly, not even glancing up from his plate. “If my elder brother isn’t sitting at the head of the table, he can still be the first to speak. If this were the Duncan family, that would’ve called for the family’s punishment.”
The Duncan rules weren’t really that harsh in reality.
But how would the Hopkinses know that?
Celeste, following Alfred’s lead, lifted her head–not to look at Gerald, but to nod politely in Derek’s direction.
Derek watched the couple volley their words back and forth, then set down his fork
and knife.
“Compared to the Duncan family, our house is a little looser with rules. Gerald, you’ve just come back from overseas–eat up and get some rest.”
“Yes, sir.” Gerald, still smarting from the earlier jab, kept his head down and didn’t dare say more.
“Alfred, try not to bury yourself in work so much. Spend some more time with
Celeste.”
“Yes, sir,” Alfred echoed obediently.
Only then did Gerald’s expression soften a bit. In his eyes, having Alfred spend less time at the office was exactly what his side of the family wanted.
But only Celeste and Alfred knew the truth–Derek genuinely meant well.
By the time dinner–tense and full of undercurrents–finally ended, Celeste felt like she’d been chewing cardboard, her heart heavy and exhausted.
At least Alfred hadn’t dragged her into the verbal sparring.
After the meal, Derek announced he was heading out for a reunion with some old friends.
Before leaving, he looked at Alfred.
1/3
20:20
Chapter 35
“You’ve got your own family now. Bring Celeste around more often. Let everyone get to know her.”
Alfred caught the deeper meaning behind his grandfather’s words and nodded in
agreement.
Celeste stood by, smiling politely.
She didn’t mind spending time with Grandpa Derek.
But the rest of the Hopkinses, with their thinly veiled barbs and fake warmth–she wanted nothing to do with them.
Once Derek left, whatever façade of merriment remained in the Hopkins house quickly faded. People scattered through the halls and garden, some talking business, others gossiping in low voices.
Celeste didn’t fit in with any of them. She looked for a quiet corner to review some files from Duncan Group-
“I’ll take you home.”
Alfred appeared at her side before anyone else could, reaching out his hand to her.
Celeste glanced around. “But everyone else is still here. Can we just-?”
“The Hopkinses don’t bother with rules,” Alfred said, pulling her to her feet.
He was forceful–almost possessive–nearly sweeping her into his arms.
Celeste stumbled and caught herself against his chest, just as she spotted Gerald approaching, wine glass in hand.
Gerald grinned. “Leaving already, Celeste?”
So that’s what this was–Gerald wanted a word with her, and Alfred was hustling her out before he got the chance.
She kept quiet, while Alfred’s arm tightened around her waist.
“Celeste has business meetings tomorrow. Unlike the rest of you, she doesn’t have time to lounge around.”
The idle chatter in the room abruptly died.
Gerald gave a dry laugh. “Alfred, you really do have a knack for offending people.”
“Isn’t that exactly what you want, big brother?”
Alfred didn’t wait for a reply–he swept Celeste out of the room with long,
2/3
20:20
Chapter 35
determined strides.
Behind them, Gerald’s face clouded over.
How could Alfred treat a marriage partner as if she were some precious jewel to be guarded?
In the car, Celeste watched the neon blur past outside the window, her heart aching. The Hopkins family was even more suffocating than the Duncans.
And Alfred–astonishingly–seemed just as much an outsider in his own home as she was.
“Do you ever regret marrying me?”
20:20
