Chapter 73 Outsider After coming out from the reception room, Bernice no longer kept a distance from Finnegan. She took the audacious step of linking her arm with his as they sauntered toward the banquet hall.
When encountering familiar faces, she would take the initiative to introduce Finnegan as her boyfriend graciously.
Astonished gazes and hushed conversations soon flooded the room.
âWhatâs happening here? Since when did Ms. Zimmerman have a boyfriend?â
âLook at him. He seems distinguished. Could he be from some wealthy family? Otherwise, he wouldnât be worthy of Ms. Zimmerman.â
âWhat wealthy family? I just heard from Timothy that heâs just an average Joe. Ms. Zimmerman fell for him because he saved Ms. Zimmerman twice by sheer luck.â
Oh, so heâs just an ordinary guy. Then thereâll be some real drama to look forward to. I heard that Old Mr. Zimmerman has already promised to betroth her to the Sable family.â
While the crowd engaged in whispered murmurs, Finnegan and Bernice had already made their way to a window on the left side of the banquet hall.
Finnegan held her hand and asked, âDarling, do you think Iâm worth all this drama?â
Even though Bernice did not have a falling out with her family, they were already on bad terms with each other.
With her back against the crowd, she whispered, âThereâs no turning back now. Youâve got to treat me right and stay loyal to me. Otherwise, I will never forgive you.â
Finnegan grinned at the gentle yet fierce determination in her posture. âWhich version of you is real, Darling?â
Normally, she was gentle and shy in front of him.
However, Bernice had seemed like a different woman when she boldly strode into the banquet hall just now.
Cocking her head, she asked, âWhich version of me do you like?â
âDo you really want to know?â
âOf course!â
Finneganâs lips curled into a playful smile. He leaned in and whispered, âWhen weâre dating. I prefer the softer, more delicate you. In bed, however, the more audacious version of you may be moreâ¦
intriguing.â
Berniceâs checks flushed a rosy hue, and she pinched his waist fiercely. âStop thatâ
Finnegan gasped in pain. âAre you trying to murder your husband-to-be?â
âI told you to watch your mouth.
Finnegan chuckled and held Berniceâs hand. âAll right, all right. You can be whoever you want to be.
Maybe the gentle version of you isnât too bad. Who knows you might call me Daddy?â Finnegan hurriedly changed the topic when he noticed Bernice was about to pinch him again. âI reckon your grandpaâs request is quite difficult to fulfill, no?â
Gone was Berniceâs bashful demeanor when Finnegan mentioned her promise to Bruce. âIt is difficult, but I believe I can do it.â
âIf you canât do it, does that mean weâll have to separate?â
Bernice eyed Finnegan. âI only promised Grandpa because I donât want to fall out with my family. I want everyone in the family to accept you, but Iâll have to elope with you if I canât make it after three months.
I wonât be a CEO by then, so are you going to provide for me?â
Ah, so thatâs what Bernice has been planning.
In a serious tone, Finnegan replied, âIâll provide for you even if youâre jobless. Besides, I will never let you lose the bet with your grandpa.â
From afar, Cindy sighed to herself at the sight.
It seems impossible for Bernie to stay away from Finnegan. I guess Iâll have to focus on Finnegan.
It was almost seven thirty, and the banquet was about to commence.
Guests who were previously engrossed in conversation took their seats. Bruce, his wife, and at pair of grandfather and grandson entered the banquet hall, causing a commotion.
âItâs Old Mr. Sable and his grandson! It seems that the rumors are true, then. For the sake of expanding their business, the Zimmerman family is looking to bind themselves to the Sable family through an arranged marriage.â
âMs. Zimmerman brought her boyfriend today, Will we witness something interesting tonight?â
âI guess that is very likely. Poor guy. Heâs down on his luck today.â
Some guests engaged in hushed whispers at the sight of Reginald and Liam.
Finnegan, who was dragged to the front by Bernice, heard everything clearly.
He edged closer to Bernice and asked, âAre those two from the Sable family, one of the ten prominent families in Jadeborough?â
In a low voice, Bernice answered, âYes, theyâre ranked only below the Miles family and the Haimowitz family. The older man is Reginald Sable, the patriarch of the family and founder of Regi Group. The younger man is Liam Sable. Heâs the third-generation eldest grandson and the appointed successor of the Sable family!
Bernice paused briefly and lowered her voice further as she continued, âLiam and I studied. at the same university. We were very young when we met each other. He started to pursue me when we were older. Heâs really good at pleasing my grandma, so what youâve heard just now was caused by my grandma. I donât have any feelings for Liam.â
Finnegan briefly touched her waist. âYou donât have to explain yourself. I know you donât like him.
Otherwise, the two of you would have gotten together a long time ago.â
Bernice had been afraid that Finnegan might misunderstand. However, judging by his response, Bernice knew she had been worried about nothing.
She pulled Finnegan to the table with the younger family members of the Zimmerman family.
Queenie and Timothy were already seated at the table. At the sight of Bernice bringing an outsider to the table, she said in a displeased tone, âBernie, this is a table reserved only for the Zimmerman family.
Please have this man head to another table.â
âHe is my boyfriend. Where I sit, he sits.â
Queenie grimaced, but upon meeting Berniceâs gaze, she suppressed her displeasure.
Patrick, Bishop, and their wives were seated at the main table not far away. With a face full of smiles, Bruce said, âOld Mr. Sable, Liam, come take a seat.â
Liam, about a hundred and eighty centimeters tall and exuding an air of nobility, turned around to look at the neighboring table and said, âOld Mr. Zimmerman, Iâll just sit over there with Bernie.â
Millicent beamed with delight and said, âSure, sure. You young folks should sit together. You should also take the opportunity to get to know Bernie better.â
Millicent had deliberately spoken in a loud voice, causing everyone to smirk.
Liam nodded and approached Finneganâs table.
ifferent. The other younger family and said, âMr. Sable, come have a seat.â
o Bernice for Liam.
1 she stood up and went over to Finneganâs ce looked at Queenie and said, âQueenie, mmermans?
Even my boyfriend is ere?â
talking about?â
I was just saying. No need to take it to d that Bernice was much more ruthless ed a smile. âBernie, is this your-
, or you may call me Bernice. I donât want