Chapter 47: Meeting Clifton for the First Time
Not just Kayla, but everyone present was stunned upon seeing that face.
The young man sitting quietly next to Donald was strikingly handsome. His jet-black hair partially covered his brows, and his cherry-colored suit matched his serene demeanor perfectly. If Ethaniel’s elegance was a gift of time, Clifton’s refined grace seemed to be frozen in it.
“Yes,” Donald replied calmly. He turned to the young man sitting silently in his chair and said gently, “Clif, say hello to Mr. Green.”
Clifton blinked once, slowly lifting his head. His glassy eyes showed fear as he looked at the strangers in the room, especially when he saw Sam and Eileen. He even leaned closer to Donald.
Donald patted Clifton’s head softly and said, “Don’t be afraid. Just do as I taught you at home.”
“… Um,” Clifton pursed his lips, stood up, his tall and slender body now resembling that of an adult man, but he spoke timidly, “Mr. Green… Mrs… Mrs. Green…”
Having been stunned by his appearance and demeanor just a moment ago, and then seeing Donald’s childlike behavior, this contrast made it difficult for those meeting him for the first time to adjust.
Fortunately, Sam recovered quickly and smiled, “Ah… yes, Aria, Kayla, come and greet Clifton.”
Aria was visibly less composed. Such a handsome man, yet he seemed to be mentally challenged! She stared at Clifton, unable to react.
Kayla, however, was unfazed. Having been a police officer for so many years, she had seen her fair share of strange people and events. She also understood why Sam’s family was forcing her into marriage.
Kayla walked briskly over, grabbed Clifton’s hand, and greeted him straightforwardly, “Hello, I’m Kayla. You’re Clifton, right? Is your mind not well?”
“…” Sam’s family listened to Kayla’s blunt question, feeling as if their hearts had stopped.
“…” Donald, too, was taken aback by Kayla’s unfiltered question.
Clifton, suddenly grabbed by Kayla, looked as if he was about to cry. “I don’t know you… let go of me! Let go of me!”
“Clif!” Donald, seeing his son startled, quickly moved to intervene.
Kayla didn’t care and reached out as if to pat Clifton’s head, saying dismissively, “Hey, are you even a man? Am I that scary?”
“I… I don’t know you… you’re so mean…” Clifton’s eyes welled up with tears as he looked at Kayla pitifully.
“I already introduced myself. I’m Kayla. Don’t cry!” Her loud scolding effectively silenced Clifton’s tears.
Seeing Sam and Eileen completely shocked, Kayla smirked contemptuously and turned back to Clifton. “I’m so mean and said your mind isn’t well. Do you dislike me?”
“… You’re really mean.” Clifton looked at Kayla pitifully.
Satisfied with his answer, Kayla turned to the now slightly angry Donald. “Mr. Caden, your son obviously doesn’t like me, and I don’t want to marry a simple-minded man. So, there’s no need for this meal. If you need a daughter-in-law, Aria or Violet would be better suited. I’m leaving.”
She turned to leave.
“Stop!”
Sam’s angry shout came from behind.
Kayla turned back, raising an eyebrow at Sam, “I came as you asked and met them. What more do you want?”
“I order you to apologize to Mr. Caden and Clifton immediately!” Sam’s face turned red with anger. “How can you act so rudely?”
“Apologize?” Kayla sneered, raising her eyebrows. “Why?”
“Because I’m your father!”
Kayla laughed, “Fine, I’ll apologize.”
She walked back to the round table, dragged a chair over with her leg, and sat down ungracefully. She looked at Donald and said calmly, “Mr. Caden, Sam may be my biological father, but we’ve had no contact for many years. I’m a police officer, earning five thousand a month, and I currently owe 1. 01 million. My mother, like Clifton, has some mental issues, but I love her very much. So normally, I wouldn’t act the way I just did. If I scared your son, I apologize. As for why I behaved that way, I think you can guess. Sam threatened my mother’s safety to bring me here, presumably because marrying Clifton would benefit him. As for the benefits, I don’t know.”
Kayla turned to look at Sam, who was trembling with anger, and stood up coldly, “I’ve apologized.”
Then she said to Donald, “Mr. Caden, goodbye.”
With that, Kayla turned to leave.
“Please wait a moment,” Donald called out, squinting his eyes. He looked at Kayla’s vibrant, makeup-free face and showed his first genuine smile of the night.
“Yes, Mr. Caden?”
Donald spoke in a deep voice, “You said your mother has mental issues, but you still love her. If I accept you, would you also love Clif in the future?”
Although Clifton had been scared by Kayla, he continued to look at her with curiosity. Over the years, Clifton had never behaved like this. Donald knew Clifton didn’t dislike Kayla; he might even have a fondness for her.
Kayla trembled, “What did you say?”
“Mr. Caden?” Sam’s family was also stunned.
The development took everyone by surprise! After Kayla’s outburst, Donald still wanted her to marry Clifton.
“Can you?” Donald looked at Kayla. “If I give you a chance to be with Clif, will you care for him?”
What did he mean? She had rejected the idea so clearly, yet he still wanted to give her a chance?
Seeing Kayla’s somewhat dazed expression, Donald smiled and repeated his question, “Can you?”
“No.” An elegant, indifferent voice suddenly broke the silence.
The door was pushed open again, and long legs stepped inside. Under the lights, a pair of brilliant violet eyes shone. “Mr. Caden, long time no see.”
Kayla never expected Ethaniel to appear here!
Donald looked at Ethaniel, his eyes also showing a hint of surprise. “Mr. Han! The international financial conference has ended. I thought you had already returned to Auropean.”Exclusive © material by Nô(/v)elDrama.Org.
“There are still some matters to handle. I think,” Ethaniel said, glancing at Kayla in her formal dress but with a fresh face, his thin lips curling slightly, “I won’t be returning to Auropean anytime soon.”
“Oh?” Donald, not missing Ethaniel’s look at Kayla, immediately understood. “Last year, when both Taihee Group and Goldenshore Group were interested in South African mining industries, I said great minds think alike. I didn’t expect to say it again a year later.”
“Since Taihee Group has already developed the South African mines, I won’t force my way in,” Ethaniel’s cold gaze met Donald’s, showing no sign of backing down despite their age difference. “Likewise…”
Ethaniel extended his arm, pulling the still-dazed Kayla into his embrace, his violet eyes gleaming as he smirked, “I’ve already claimed her and I hope Mr. Caden understands what to do.”