Back in the hall, Dallas reached out and took Averi's hand, saying, "Let's go."
Averi studied his face. "What did you two talk about?"
Dallas replied calmly, "Nothing."
He didn't want to talk, and Averi didn't press. The two of them headed to Dallas's apartment together.
It was still early, and Dallas said he wanted to read for a while longer. Averi agreed, changed into her loungewear, and sat on the sofa to handle some paperwork. She often stayed overnight, so the apartment was stocked with a full set of toiletries and spare clothes, just like her own place.
Averi glanced at Dallas several times, noticing he was engrossed in his book, and finally confirmed something was off.
Normally, as soon as her gaze fell on him, he would turn around. Today, however, he didn't respond even after she had been staring at him for several seconds.
This guy, he was just terrible at lying.
Putting down her laptop, Averi walked up behind Dallas, wrapped her arms around his neck, and asked, "Are you upset?"
"No."
He answered too quickly, only making it more obvious.
"Look at me." Averi decisively sat on his lap, looking into his eyes as she asked, "What did he say to you?"
Dallas held her waist and said, "Nothing."
Since he wasn't going to elaborate, Averi decided to make it easier for him. "Did he say something that upset you?" she asked.
"No."
"Did he reminisce about the past?"
"No."
"Did he talk badly about me?"
"No." Dallas looked at her helplessly and said, "Averi, really, it's nothing."
Averi asked, "Then why aren't you happy?"
Dallas opened his mouth to deny it again, but when his eyes met hers, the words just wouldn't come.
He looked at her for a moment, his Adam's apple moving slightly, before finally speaking. "Averi, the military salary is fixed, and it's not high." His tone was light, his expression calm, but Averi could hear the sense of defeat beneath it.
So it's because of this.
"I know." Averi thought for a moment, then said calmly, "But Dallas, not many people are wealthier than I am."
Dallas was stunned by her audacious words. He blinked in confusion for two seconds before lowering his eyes and smiling.
How could he not love her?
Averi murmured, "Dallas, Milo doesn't understand."
Dallas understood what she meant and responded with a sound of agreement.
The air was still, and neither of them spoke for a long while. Averi listened to the steady beat of his heart, then broke the silence herself. "Dallas, do you want to come home with me this weekend and meet my family?"
She had originally planned to wait until they were married to introduce him, to avoid causing unnecessary trouble, but now she thought there was no need. Recently, she had stopped hiding and had been openly dating Dallas. Her family had definitely heard rumors by now. Why not let Dallas make his debut as her boyfriend? Even if Teagan had some objections, it wouldn't be a huge reaction, after all, he was just her boyfriend. Taking it step by step might actually work better.
Averi felt Dallas's chest muscles tense as his deep voice came from above her. "Isn't it a bit too soon?" He hadn't graduated yet, and even though he knew graduation wouldn't change much, he still hoped to present a better image to her family.
Averi asked, "You don't want to?"
Dallas quickly replied, "No."
"Then it's not too soon."
*
Cristopher and Maeve had gone to France. Mareli, uneasy, feared that Cristopher might be enchanted by some "little vixen." For the past few months, she had been splitting her time, half at her parents' house, and half in France.
In the vast mansion, only Odin and Eli remained.
With Cristopher absent, the usual Friday night family dinner was naturally canceled. So, Averi called the butler in advance, informing him that she would be bringing a friend home for the weekend. The butler understood and began contacting the others.
On Saturday evening, the family, who hadn't gathered in a long time, trickled back to the mansion. Johnathan's wife, Kayla, was also there. With Cristopher retired and no longer in the country, Kayla didn't need to play the invisible woman anymore. Seeing her glowing appearance, Averi thought, maybe Kayla was the happiest person about Cristopher's retirement.
Teagan didn't have much of a reaction to Dallas's arrival. She exchanged a few polite words with him in a somewhat cold manner before asking him to sit down.
Johnathan's curious gaze moved back and forth between Averi and Dallas. His relationship with Averi was awkward, so he didn't dare ask too many questions. He had probably briefed Kayla beforehand, who, though warm, was tactful in her questions. She didn't bring up the present, instead asking Dallas about his time in the military.
Among them, only Eli looked completely shocked. He glanced around, seeking help from one person and then another. Seeing that everyone else remained calm, he pursed his lips, swallowing the impulse to speak.
Averi was right in her guess. Apart from Eli, the rest of the Forbes family had already heard of Dallas.
"After dinner, Johnathan privately approached Averi and said, 'Averi, Laila has been wanting to apologize to you in person. Why not have her come back for the holidays this year?"
Averi replied, "Johnathan, it was Dad who sent Laila to supervise the factory in Vietnam. You should ask him what he thinks first."
A strange look of awkwardness crossed Johnathan's face. He knew Cristopher wouldn't relent, which was why he had come to Averi. He had hoped that, since she was in a relationship now, she might be easier to talk to.
If it weren't for Laila asking him to intervene repeatedly, Johnathan wouldn't have even considered speaking up. After all, who could easily forgive someone who had tried to take their life?
After hesitating for half a minute, Johnathan still didn't speak further. He turned and walked towards Kayla.
Averi wasn't exactly bothered by his request. The fact that he was asking meant there was still something between them, and people who care are easier to deal with than those who don't."
Out of the corner of her eye, Averi noticed Odin was talking to Dallas. Her brows furrowed, and she lifted her foot to leave, but Teagan called her name.
"Averi."
Averi sighed and turned back.
Teagan's face was serious, her concern evident as she said, "Averi, what do you mean by bringing him home like this? You need to think carefully. He has no good influence on your future."
Averi stared at her quietly for a few seconds, then said, "Mom, just like you said, this is my future."
When Teagan frowned, Averi instead smiled lightly. "You left me and Eli all those years ago to go to S Country, never returning for over a decade. I said nothing, because it was your choice. Before you were our mother, you were Teagan."
Averi rarely talked about the past, so Teagan didn't expect her to bring it up like this. She felt a little embarrassed. "Averi, are you blaming me?"
"No," Averi shook her head calmly. "I just believe that everyone should take responsibility for their choices."
The calmer she became, the more she seemed to exude a kind of cold, almost ruthless indifference.
"I've made my choices, so I'm ready to face the consequences," Averi said. After a brief pause, she looked at Teagan, then walked away.
Teagan understood that brief pause was a sign of respect for her, as a mother.
For a moment, Teagan considered using her shares in the company to force Averi to "obey." Even though she had gone far away to S Country, she still held a small amount of company stock. But now, Averi was no longer the little girl who needed to rely on her.
