Chapter 106 Poor Constitution, Need to Replenish
Confronted by Ambrose, Cody's eyes widened. "And what makes you think Scarlett is too good for the Boleyn family now? What possible reason could she have to look down on us?"
Ambrose took a step forward, his posture ramrod straight. "Grandfather, let me put it this way. If I hadn't made a preemptive strike, the Mitchell family would have already snatched Scarlett up. The only reason I was able to win the museum project from them was because of her design."
His words left Cody speechless, but Ambrose wasn't finished.
"And what's more," he continued, "the Serene Bay Peninsula project will likely depend on her as well."
Cody's brow furrowed. In a flash, he connected the dots: Orion, the official in charge of the project, had once worked under Owen. To secure the Serene Bay Peninsula development, they would need to go through Orion.
Unlike the art museum, the Serene Bay project was a behemoth, an undertaking far too massive for any ordinary company. In all of Silverlight City, only two entities had the appetite for it: the Boleyn family and the Mitchell family.
With a Mitchell family member about to take a high-ranking public office, their odds of winning were significantly higher. Especially since they'd lost the museum contract, Orion might feel compelled to award them Serene Bay as a consolation prize.
If the Boleyns wanted to stand a chance, their best play was through Owen—and Scarlett was the perfect conduit.
Cody remained silent for a long, heavy moment. Finally, he spoke.
"I won't interfere anymore," he conceded. "A man of your caliber isn't one to be ruled by his emotions. I hope you can manage the relationship between your personal life and our business."
He had caved. Cody knew this was not the time for his personal feelings to cloud the bigger picture.
He'd witnessed Ambrose's ruthlessness firsthand; his grandson prioritized profit above all else. He wouldn't jeopardize the family empire for a woman. This, all of this, had to be a calculated business move.
Seeing his grandfather back down, Ambrose pressed his advantage.
"Grandfather, I hope this is the last time you let someone else's gossip make you question my judgment. If you call me here again for something like this, don't blame me for not showing you the proper respect."
Cody's hand slammed down on the desk. "Is that any way to speak to me? I'm doing this for your own good! You don't have a woman by your side, you refuse to consider an arranged marriage, and you won't bring the mother of your child home. I'm worried you've been blinded and deceived."
Ambrose paused, then said flatly, "My affairs are my own. You don't need to worry about them."
"How can I not worry? The moment I heard you were antagonizing the Mitchell family for Scarlett, I was on edge. Their man is about to take office! I don't want you to become a target."
"Then they'd better be capable of touching me. Grandfather, Silverlight City doesn't belong to any one person. It belongs to everyone. As long as I conduct my business legitimately, what can they do to me?"
"Whatever the case, we should keep a low profile. Plan for a rainy day."
Ambrose glanced down at his watch. "Fine. I'll keep that in mind. If there's nothing else, I'm heading back."
Cody looked him over. "Stop by the kitchen on your way out. Have some royal jelly."
A wave of exasperation washed over Ambrose.
As he emerged from the study, Jett hurried to meet him. "Mr. Ambrose Boleyn, the royal jelly has been warmed. Please, have some."
Ambrose raised an eyebrow. "Jett, I'm still full. How about this—pack it up for me. I'll take it home for a late-night snack."
Jett's face lit up. Ambrose had never, not once, taken food to-go from the Boleyn Manor. This was a first. "Of course, of course! I'll go pack it right away. You take it home and enjoy."
"Hayden will want some too. Pack extra."
Jett was practically beaming now. To think, Ambrose was even considering Hayden. The change in him was immense. No wonder Hayden had been so much more cheerful after his last visit. It seemed the rift between father and son was finally starting to heal. Jett chirped, bustling away.
Ambrose walked out of the Boleyn Manor carrying a large, insulated food container. Chase, waiting in the car, watched him approach. Once Ambrose was settled in his seat, his curiosity got the better of him.
"Mr. Boleyn, what's that?"
He'd never seen his boss leave the manor with a doggy bag.
"Royal jelly," Ambrose replied nonchalantly.
Chase's mind short-circuited. Mr. Boleyn never touched that stuff. What on earth was he doing bringing it from the manor?
"You're eating this now?"
"Just because I don't eat it doesn't mean I can't take it," Ambrose's flat tone made Chase freeze.
If he wasn't going to eat it, then what was it for?
A gift?
Suddenly, an image of the woman at Lakeside Garden flashed in Chase's mind. Was it for Scarlett?
This gesture, so out of character for Ambrose, felt significant. Chase suddenly felt certain that his boss's feelings for Scarlett were serious. He'd never seen him do anything like this before.
Deciding it was best not to pry, Chase let the matter drop. As the car pulled away from the manor, he asked, "Mr. Cody wasn't too upset, was he?"
Ambrose let out a short, humorless laugh. "You should be asking if I was upset."
Chase sighed in resignation. Ambrose was Ambrose. Not even Cody could truly control him. It was safe to say his grandfather wouldn't dare interfere with him and Scarlett again.
When Ambrose arrived back at Lakeside Garden with the container, Scarlett was still awake. He called her out of her room.
"What's up?" She asked, her big, clear eyes looking up at him.
"Brought you something. Come eat," he said, taking her hand and leading her toward the dining room.
Scarlett didn't have a habit of eating late-night snacks. "I already brushed my teeth," she protested. "Can't we just save it for tomorrow?"
Ambrose didn't answer, simply pulling her to the dining table. He took a container out of the insulated carrier, placed it in front of her, and opened the lid.
"Eat."
Scarlett glanced down. Royal jelly. Having grown up in a wealthy family, she was all too familiar with these kinds of precious health supplements.
"You went out and bought this?"
"Yes. Eat it while it's warm." He gently pushed her down into a chair.
Seeing his insistence, Scarlett knew arguing was pointless. She picked up the spoon and began to portion some of the thick, pearlescent liquid into a small bowl.
"You're not having any?" She asked, noting the single bowl.
"I don't like this stuff," he said, a roguish glint in his eye. "But if you were to feed it to me, I might be persuaded to have a few bites."
Scarlett fell silent.
A moment later, she got up, went to the kitchen to retrieve another bowl, and filled both. She pushed one across the table to him.
"You can have some with me."
And to her surprise, he actually did, eating alongside her.
Scarlett finished her portion, but Ambrose tried to get her to have more. She waved her hands. "No, I can't. I'm too full. I won't be able to sleep."
"That's fine," he purred. "If you can't sleep, we can do a little exercise to help you get tired."
Scarlett was at a loss for words. Wesley had never, ever said things like that to her. Was this just Ambrose's thing? This constant innuendo?
Even though they had slept together, his words still made a hot blush creep up her neck. She lowered her head, muttering under her breath, "So you bought this for me just so we could have sex."
Ambrose chuckled softly. "Your stamina is terrible. One round and you're completely wiped. You need to build up your strength."
That was it. Scarlett was done talking to him. She gathered the bowls and carried the container to the kitchen. Ambrose watched her retreat, the hint of a smile playing on his lips as he took in her indignant posture.
When Scarlett emerged from the kitchen, Ambrose was gone. He must have gone back to his room. She turned off the main lights, leaving a single nightlight on, and headed toward her own bedroom.
Before turning in, she peeked in on Hayden, checking that he was sleeping soundly, before finally returning to her room.
After brushing her teeth for a second time, she climbed into bed. Just as she was settling under the covers, her phone buzzed with a new message.
[Want to come over to my room?]