Chapter 200: Why Didn’t You Sign?
"Ahem... At the time, I also felt she was... a little pitiful."
Asher Keating was also at a loss for words. Back then, Morgan Sterling and the others had been extremely careful. Madeline Sterling told him they had really slept together, that they had done it even though he was unconscious.
He was dejected for a while after that, but the more he thought about it, the more something felt wrong. It was just that he didn’t have many people he could rely on back then, so the investigation took a long time.
When he finally found out the truth, Asher Keating was thoroughly disgusted. But given the circumstances at the time, even though he was furious about it...
...when he thought about how Madeline Sterling was, in the end, a victim of sorts, he couldn’t help but feel she was a bit pitiful.
After all, no matter what people on the outside said, for him, it was just a matter of having slept with a woman. But for Madeline Sterling...
That’s why he issued a strict gag order on the matter. Three years ago, at the old Mr. Keating’s birthday banquet, he almost couldn’t stop himself from revealing it.
But Madeline Sterling spoke up first. Madeline didn’t know who the other person was; she was just following Morgan Sterling’s instructions. So, all this time, she just thought it was someone else.
This recent incident, however, had pushed Asher Keating’s fury to its absolute limit, which was why he said what he did to Madeline Sterling before leaving.
Mabel Grant had no desire to continue this disgusting topic. She stood up. "Alright, it’s getting late. Go on back."
"What about Leah..." Asher Keating wanted to ask if Leah Sinclair could go back to her own place for the night.
"Tch. You think I don’t know you bought a house across from hers? Fine. It’s better than her living directly in your Silverwood villa. My daughter’s all grown up, can’t tie her down anymore."
"But, Third Master Keating, let me tell you, Leah didn’t go abroad just to get a fancy degree. Don’t go getting her pregnant and tying her down before she’s even had a chance to shine." Mabel Grant rolled her eyes at Asher Keating.
"...I know."
Asher Keating felt a flush of embarrassment. Being lectured about this by his future mother-in-law... even the great CEO of the Keating Group couldn’t remain completely unfazed.
After looking up for what felt like the umpteenth time, Leah Sinclair finally saw Mabel Grant gracefully descending the stairs. Asher Keating followed behind her, his expression unreadable.
Nathan Grant and Chester Hale had also come over. Chester Hale had bought a villa in the area as well, and Nathan Grant was currently staying there. He was also a bit worried, so he had rushed over after dinner to check on things. He was now in the living room talking with Brandon Jacobs.
Seeing the two of them come down, everyone stood up to greet them. Leah Sinclair quickly scurried over and called out "Mom" in a very fawning manner.
Mabel Grant scoffed and started to walk away. Leah Sinclair glanced at Asher Keating, who gave her a reassuring look. Leah’s heart eased, and she quickly followed Mabel to the sofa, calling out "Mom" again.
She served her tea and massaged her back until Mabel Grant finally couldn’t hold back her laughter. She poked Leah firmly on the forehead. "You’re just too weak. As soon as you graduate and come back, you’re enrolling in a martial arts class!"
"...Mom, I’m already twenty-seven. Isn’t it a little late for martial arts classes?" Leah Sinclair wailed, clutching her forehead.
"Then I’ll arrange for two bodyguards to follow you every day from now on."
"Never mind, I’ll go to the martial arts class."
Nathan Grant and Chester Hale exchanged a glance, then looked uncertainly at Asher Keating. A slight smile played on his lips as he gave a small nod. A mischievous glint appeared in both their eyes simultaneously.
As they were talking, Brandon Jacobs walked over to Asher Keating. "Asher, a word?"
Asher Keating quickly stood up. Brandon Jacobs led him to the backyard. Asher lit a cigarette for Brandon, who looked at him with a smile. "All done talking with your Aunt Mabel?"
"Yes. Aunt Mabel said we can get engaged first. Marriage... is not urgent," Asher Keating said sincerely.
"Don’t blame your Aunt Mabel. She is Leah’s mother, after all. Leah hasn’t been by her side for so many years, so of course she has more to consider."
"I know, Uncle Jacobs. Being able to get engaged first is wonderful."
Brandon Jacobs smoked in silence. After finishing the cigarette, he finally spoke slowly, "Asher, your Aunt Mabel and I have no other demands. If, one day, you stop loving Leah, don’t you dare bully her. Just tell me, and I will come and take her home."
Asher Keating put out his cigarette and looked at Brandon Jacobs seriously. "Uncle Jacobs, you can rest assured. That day will never come."
Brandon Jacobs gazed steadily into Asher Keating’s deep eyes, then smiled and patted his shoulder. "Good. Leah is probably a mess inside. You two should head back soon."
When the two returned, Nathan Grant and Chester Hale got up to leave. Asher Keating also said his goodbyes. Leah Sinclair looked hesitantly at Mabel Grant, who scoffed, "You don’t want to leave, do you? If you’re not leaving, then go to bed."
Leah Sinclair, as if granted amnesty, grabbed her bag and followed Asher Keating out.
It wasn’t until the car had driven away from the villa that Leah Sinclair finally asked Asher Keating, "Third Brother, what did my mom say?"
Asher Keating took her hand in his, his eyes on the road ahead. "Aunt Mabel said we can get engaged first."
"Engaged!?"
Leah Sinclair’s eyes went wide. She had thought Mabel Grant would chew Asher Keating out, or at most, agree to them being together. She never expected her mother to say they could get engaged first!
"Mm. You don’t want to be engaged to me?" Asher Keating glanced over at her, his tone cool.
"No! I just never thought my mom would agree to it. I thought at most she’d just agree to us being together."
"I wanted to talk about marriage, but since Aunt Mabel suggested engagement, we’ll have to settle for getting engaged first," Asher Keating said, squeezing her hand.
The word "engaged" made Leah Sinclair feel a little shy, yet also a bit dazed, as if she were in a dream. ’I... I’m going to be engaged to Asher Keating?’
Seeing that she hadn’t replied, Asher Keating turned to look at her while waiting at a red light. He couldn’t help but chuckle when he saw her dazed expression. He pulled one hand away to pinch her cheek. "What are you spacing out for?"
Leah Sinclair looked at him, her eyes slowly starting to light up. "Third Brother, I’m going to be engaged to you?"
"Mhm. When I get back, I’ll discuss it with my parents and grandfather, pick an auspicious date, and we... will get engaged." Asher Keating’s lips curved as well, his eyes filled with a warm and doting smile.
Leah Sinclair suddenly leaned over and gave him a quick kiss. Just as Asher Keating registered the touch of her lips, she pulled back. He was left feeling a little unsatisfied, but the red light turned green.
Looking at Leah Sinclair’s faintly curved lips, he let out a soft "tsk," stepped on the gas, and picked up some speed. ’Mhm, I want to get back sooner.’
「In the study of Nathan Grant’s villa.」
After Brandon Jacobs finished looking at the documents Asher Keating had brought, all signed with Asher’s sharp, distinct signature, he too was a little surprised. After a moment, he spoke with a smile, "I have to say, I didn’t expect this from Third Master Keating. The kid is quite sincere."
"Hmph. I suppose he has some sincerity," Mabel Grant said, leaning lazily against Brandon Jacobs’s shoulder.
"Why didn’t you sign?"
"You think I’d dare to sign? If my daughter found out, wouldn’t she hate me to death?"
Mabel Grant rolled her eyes at him. From the very beginning, she never planned on taking anything from Asher Keating. To her, it didn’t matter what he could offer. What she wanted was, indeed, just a demonstration of his attitude.
"Besides, just for the fact that Theodore Keating helped you back then, I wouldn’t make things difficult for his son."