Chapter 474: A Little Guilty (6)

Chapter 474: Chapter 474: A Little Guilty (6)

Vera couldn’t sleep, and she didn’t dare move, afraid she would stir up even bigger trouble.

The man beside her wasn’t doing much better. He couldn’t fall asleep while holding her, but he couldn’t bear to let her go. So, he just held her tight and didn’t loosen his grip.

Vera drifted in a daze, not falling asleep until just before dawn. Then she had a dream. In it, she had become Nathaniel’s pet dog. He held out a bone, teasing her, "Good girl. Tell me all your secrets, and I’ll give you this bone."

In the dream, Vera could only gulp as she hugged his leg, refusing to let go.

Nathaniel’s expression shifted to a wicked grin. "You really stick to your principles, huh? If you still won’t talk, I’ll have no choice but to stew you into a pot of dog soup."

The large bone came down on Vera’s head, startling her awake. She opened her eyes and realized it had all been a dream.

It wasn’t a large bone that had hit her head, but the alarm clock from her nightstand. She must have been having a nightmare and flailed her arm, knocking it over.

The sun was already up. She quickly turned to look for Nathaniel, but he was gone. She let out a subconscious sigh of relief.

Then she heard Nathaniel’s voice coming from downstairs. A jolt of panic shot through her. ’Don’t tell me Grandma caught him red-handed leaving my room this morning!’

The mere thought of it scared her half to death. ’What do I do? What do I do?’

Just then, Grandma came upstairs and knocked on her door. "Vera, time to get up. Don’t keep Nathaniel waiting."

Vera felt a fresh wave of anxiety at her words. She called out a reply but dawdled in bed for a good while before finally, slowly opening the door.

Grandma stared at her. "What’s gotten into you, dear? You’re normally so quick and efficient. Why are you moving as slow as a turtle today?"

Vera gave an awkward laugh. Inwardly, she was having a meltdown. Terrified Grandma was about to give her a lecture, she was uncharacteristically docile and didn’t dare talk back.

Grandma thought she was acting strange, but she chalked it up to her still being groggy and not fully awake. She didn’t dwell on it, instead reminding her, "Wash your face and comb your hair before you go see Nathaniel. You need to look your best!"

Vera froze for a second. ’Wait a minute, this isn’t right. Grandma’s reaction is completely different from what I expected!’

But Grandma gave her no time to think, dragging her off to the bathroom to get ready. She reminded Vera over and over again to act more demure.

Vera could only nod in agreement, though her heart was still pounding with uncertainty. After she finished getting ready and went downstairs, she saw Nathaniel casually chatting with her grandfather.

She had no idea what he said, but it sent her grandfather roaring with laughter. Nathaniel, who was normally so cold and aloof around others, now wore a gentle expression, a stark contrast to the proud, standoffish front he usually put up with her.

When Grandpa saw her come downstairs, he quickly said, "I’ll let you young people talk. I’m going to take Zachary out for a walk."

Grandma chimed in, "I’m going grocery shopping. Nathaniel, you’ll stay for lunch, won’t you?"

Nathaniel nodded, and soon enough, only Vera and he were left in the house.

Vera asked quietly, "Grandpa and Grandma didn’t give you a hard time, did they?"

"Give me a hard time?" Nathaniel said coolly. "Do you really think there’s anyone in this world who could give a man as outstanding as me trouble?"

Vera was speechless.

’Young Master Nathan, could you *be* any more narcissistic?’

She asked him quietly, "When did you get up?"

’His nerve is unbelievable! Wasn’t he afraid Grandpa and Grandma would catch him coming out of my room and beat him up?’

"Guess," Nathaniel said, a smile playing on his lips as he watched her.