Chapter 1032
Marcus said, âItâs cool. They canât see that well. They wonât notice.â
However, as it turned out, the two old men had eagle eyes. As soon as Cornelia stepped into the yard, Old Mr. Abner caught it, âMarc, Nellyâs lips are all red and puffy. You mustâve had a hand in it. You ainât a teenage boy anymore, still acting so reckless.â
Cornelia was so embarrassed she even forgot to say hello, only wishing she could find a place to hide.
The other old man cleared his throat, âHow about letting Marc introduce his wife first, and then you can spout your nonsense.â
Old Mr. Abner retorted, âWhat? I was just concerned about Nelly!â
Mr. Augustine replied, âConcerned about her? Youâre obviously just messing around. Youâre an old man, still teasing girls, donât you feel ashamed?â
These two were tight back in the day, but now that they were older, they always ended up arguing whenever they met. And once they started, they could go on for hours.
Not wanting to waste any more time, Marcus quickly intervened, âCornelia, come over here, let me introduce you. This is Mr. Augustine.â
Cornelia stepped forward, gently saying, âNice to meet you!â
Mr. Augustine eyed Cornelia without any pretense. He was sure it was the first time heâd seen Cornelia tonight, yet he had this inexplicable sense of familiarity, as if theyâd met somewhere before, âYouâre Cornelia? Where are you from?â
Cornelia replied, âIâm from Rosenberg.â
Mr. Augustine felt a pang of disappointment upon hearing this, âRosenberg is a nice place. Who else is in your family?â
Cornelia said, âJust me and my sister left in the Stewart family.â
Accidentally touching upon her sorrowful past, Mr. Augustine felt a bit embarrassed, âIâm sorry!â
Cornelia smiled and said, âItâs fine.â
Mr. Augustine then said, âWhy donât you and Marc sit down. Itâs eight oâclock already, you must be hungry, Iâll have the dinner served.â
Old Mr. Abner said to Mr. Augustine, âSee, I told you Nelly was charming. You shouldâve trusted my judgement, no rebuttals.â
Mr. Augustine replied, âWho said I was fond of her?â
Old Mr. Abner said, âIf youâre not fond of her, then keep your distance, Iâll sit next to her.â
Mr. Augustine retorted, âIâll sit beside her. Maybe Iâll get to see her good points, then admit that Marc made a good choice.â
Marcus chimed in, âCornelia is great, one of a kind.â
Mr. Augustine said, âI didnât say she wasnât.â
If he thought Cornelia wasnât good, he wouldnât have spoken to her at all. It was precisely because he thought she was good that he said all this.
Old Mr. Abner said, âMarc, heâs just too stubborn to admit it.â
Mr. Augustine said, âIf you do not what to say, you can keep silent.â
Old Mr. Abner said, âIf I keep quiet and let you do all the talking, youâd make us all feel awkward.â
Mr. Augustine retorted, âTry shutting up and see if I make everyone feel awkward.â
And so the two old men started bickering again.
Listening to them, Cornelia felt warmth. Mr. Augustineâs hair was gray. He was said to be close in age to Old Mr. Abner, but he seemed a decade older. Not sure if it was because he was busy with charity work, or because the early loss of his wife and children hit him too hard.