Chapter 194

Chapter 194

"Nicholas, may I call you that?"

Nicholas had no objection. Before he could even take a sip of water, Xanthe had began her interrogation. "Where are you from, Nicholas? How old are you? What does your family do? When did you meet my Eue..."

Eugenie couldn't watch anymore and interrupted, setting a glass of freshly poured water in front of Nicholas. "Grandma, aren't you afraid you'll scare him with all these questions?"

Xanthe paused appropriately and checked Nicholas's reaction. Seeing everyone's eyes on him, he waved his hand proactively. "It's fine. I understand completely."

Xanthe's smile returned. She asked questions and Nicholas answered them, one after the other. The morning passed in a flash.

After learning more about Nicholas, Xanthe noticed it was approaching mealtime and warmly invited him to stay. "Let me go make a few dishes. You can try my cooking."

After politely demurring several times, Nicholas agreed. "Thank you for your trouble."

Xanthe cheerfully headed out, picking up the vegetable basket by the door and walking toward the small kitchen. Watching the elderly woman leave, Nicholas turned his attention back to Eugenie, who was clearing trash from the table. "Look how enthusiastic your grandma is. When will you be as enthusiastic toward me as she is?"

Eugenie's clearing motion paused. She wasn't enthusiastic? So the person who'd rescued him several times just now, poured him water, and offered him food wasn't her?

Under the table, she stomped hard on his foot and leaned in, teeth gritted. "Is this enthusiastic enough?"

Nicholas winced in pain and apologized sincerely. "I was wrong."

Chase was still nearby, so Eugenie didn't continue her little moves. After she was done tidying up, she turned to go help Xanthe.

Once they'd both left, Chase's sharp eyes slowly settled on Nicholas. "If I'm not mistaken, you're Cody Whitaker's grandson, right?"

Nicholas hadn't mentioned his grandfather's name earlier. Seeing that Chase could identify him, his attitude became more respectful. "Yes, he's my grandfather."

Chase was just testing him. Seeing how humble he was, he didn't plan to make things difficult. "Don't be nervous. I met him a few times when we were young. You look a lot like your grandfather did in his youth."

The two chatted briefly before Chase mercifully let him off the hook.

When Nicholas walked toward the small kitchen, hearing the conversation inside, his steps halted. He ducked behind a nearby wall to listen quietly.

"Now that no one else is here, tell me—what do you think of Nicholas?" Xanthe washed vegetables efficiently while glancing at Eugenie, who was squatting nearby peeling potatoes, unable to hide her gossipy curiosity.

Eugenie pretended not to understand. "He's pretty great! You can tell—you keep saying 'Nicholas this' and 'Nicholas that.' People who don't know might think he's your grandson instead of me."

Knowing she was playing dumb, Xanthe felt somewhat exasperated and flicked water in her direction. "You know that's not what I'm asking. Are you really going to be this guarded with me?"

It wasn't about being guarded. Eugenie sighed and laid it out plainly. "What answer does Grandma want from me?"

"I won't beat around the bush. Just tell me directly, do you like him or not? The man followed you all the way here to pursue you. His sincerity is pretty obvious."

Eugenie muttered to herself that whether Nicholas had really come here to pursue her was debatable. When she'd asked him earlier, he'd been evasive, clearly hiding something else.

Outside the door, Nicholas couldn't help holding his breath, both anxious and expectant about Eugenie's answer.

Eugenie looked up and met Xanthe's expectant gaze. Thinking there was no one else around, she admitted frankly, "I like him, but I'm not sure if we can have a future together."

Hearing Eugenie express her feelings, Xanthe felt genuinely pleased.

Knowing she had her concerns, Xanthe took it in stride and offered positive guidance. "Don't always think about the future. What matters is seizing the present. While you're young, hurry up and have a child. Nicholas is so handsome—you wouldn't be at a loss. If he doesn't treat you well in the future, I'll support you keeping just the child."

Eugenie couldn't help laughing. "You're encouraging me to do something bad?"

"Don't say that. I'm just offering suggestions. After all, men only have a few good years. Just look at your grandfather."

Xanthe's sudden use of Chase as an example nearly made Eugenie drop the potato in her hands. They looked at each other and both burst out laughing.

Nicholas glanced toward the living room, his eyes lighting up with amusement. Xanthe's assist was perfectly timed. If a child could really tie Eugenie's heart down, he supposed he wouldn't mind owing his status to his offspring.

Right now he just wanted to see Eugenie's expression. He walked a few steps to the side and appeared at the doorway as if he'd just arrived. "Is there anything I can help with?"

Seeing his attention focused on Eugenie, Xanthe smiled and helped him out. "I don't need help. Go see if Eue needs anything."

Eugenie laughed helplessly. She was right here! Were they really going to pretend she didn't exist so obviously?

Nicholas responded and went to Eugenie's side. After looking around and finding no place to pitch in, he still shamelessly stayed near her. "I thought I heard you discussing me just now. What were you saying?"

Seeing him ask so seriously, Eugenie deliberately teased him. "Grandma said you're handsome and told me to drug you and tie you to my side."

She'd expected him to refuse adamantly, but instead his face filled with anticipation. "Really? Your grandma likes me that much? So when are you planning to make it happen?"

Eugenie had underestimated the extent of his shamelessness. She bumped him with her shoulder. "I won't! Go away. Don't you have any sense of shame?"

Nicholas enthusiastically recommended himself. "My physique is actually pretty good. You can test it out. You wouldn't regret drugging me."

"Who was that person who got angry when someone else tried to drug them before? Whoever you are, get out of this body right now."

It was practically like saying he was possessed. Nicholas reached out and grasped her hand in the water, his face full of sincerity. "You're not just anyone. If it's you, how would you know I wouldn't be willing unless we try?"

His words were loaded with implication. Not angry, Eugenie suddenly had her suspicions—had he overheard their earlier conversation? "Were you eavesdropping on us just now?"

Nicholas neither confirmed nor denied it. "What do you think I should have heard?"

His schemes ran too deep. Eugenie didn't want to guess anymore. She shoved the potato into his hands and moved over to Xanthe's side.

Xanthe, stealing a moment from her busy work to glance over, suddenly thought of something. "Nicholas, have you arranged accommodation yet?"

Nicholas's lips curved up. "Not yet. I was planning to look around later."

This played right into Xanthe's hands. "My house has extra rooms. If you don't mind, why don't you stay here?"

Eugenie was stunned. She secretly shook her head at Nicholas, signaling him not to agree. Catching the smile at the corner of his mouth, she suddenly had a bad feeling.

"I'd love to!"