Some women recognized him and tried to approach, but he harshly scolded them away.
After two or three attempts, no one dared to come near him again.
He drank alone in silence, recently not a single thing had gone his way.
Clara is getting married... Is she trying to deliver a slap to his face?
Heh, so everyone is leaving him, is that it?
He shook his head and downed a glass of whiskey in one gulp.
When Xavier arrived, Oliver was already somewhat drunk.
"What did you say on the phone? Clara is getting married? What’s going on?"
"She... Heh, she’s marrying Hunter Warren’s brother. Hmph, Xavier... Women really are... ungrateful creatures."
"Who is she marrying?"
"The young boss of PureGraft Leather?"
Oliver picked up another glass of liquor, about to drink, but Xavier quickly snatched it from his hand and set it aside.
"Alright, stop drinking now. Look at the state you’re in."
"Why not let Clara marry you," Oliver looked at him, "The child I’ve raised with so much care—how could I hand her over to one of Hunter Warren’s brothers?
This is an insult to me. I cannot accept it, I won’t accept it."
"But you can’t just marry her off to me. She doesn’t love me.
Besides, Oliver, I think you’re overthinking this. No matter how good Sean Lennox’s relationship with Hunter Warren is, it doesn’t mean much. If Clara is willing, you won’t be able to stop her."
"But I’m worried she’s degrading herself.
I fear she’s picking someone at random to settle down with, just to escape me.
I’m afraid she’ll ruin her life because of me."
Oliver rested his hand against his forehead, "I care so much about her, but she doesn’t acknowledge it.
When did it start? When did Clara and I stop being on the same page?
I raised her... didn’t expect her to repay me, I just hoped she would have a good life.
She loves me, I know that. But if I, Oliver, were to marry her... what would that look like?
Back then... I loved her mother so deeply, and yet ended up marrying her. Xavier, tell me, what would that look like?"
"Alright, Oliver, you’re drunk. Stop talking nonsense now. I’ll take you home."
Xavier reached for Oliver’s glass again, placed it back on the table, then grabbed his shoulders to help him up and leave.
"Drunk? I’m not drunk, just a little dizzy. My mind is clear, clearer than ever."
He raised his hand to brush off Xavier’s hands, "That home—I don’t want to go back there. I don’t want to see Clara acting all cautious around me.
She wasn’t before. She wasn’t... .
But now she’s changed. Everything has changed. She’ll never be as open and honest with me as she used to be.
It’s because of that Sean Lennox, isn’t it? Take me to Sean Lennox’s place.
I need to find out what kind of man he is, what makes him qualified to marry the Clara I raised.
What gives him the right..."
As Oliver said this, he suddenly thought of something Faye Townsend had just mentioned.
Because Sean Lennox is willing to promise Clara a home, isn’t it?
The home Clara longs for—that’s something he cannot provide.
"Oliver, what’s wrong?" Xavier noticed his sudden pause and started to worry.
Oliver suddenly tilted his head back and laughed aloud.
Even though the laughter was quickly drowned out by the deafening music of the bar, it was still sharp.
Oliver looked at Xavier, "The home Clara wants—I can’t give her. Because I promised her mother back then to raise her as if she were my own daughter.
I’m Clara’s guardian. How could I possibly... do something so against reason."
"You’ve chained yourself with the weight of your own restrictions. Actually..."
"Enough," Oliver shook his head and stood up to walk outside.
Xavier followed, "I’ll take you home."
This time, Oliver didn’t resist.
When Xavier supported Oliver back home, Clara heard the commotion outside from within the house.
Since she was discharged from the hospital, she had been staying in the downstairs bedroom for easier movement.
Hearing the noise, she pushed the door open and came out, seeing the drunken Oliver.
She hurried forward, looking at Xavier with surprise, "Uncle Oliver, why did he drink so much?"
"Isn’t it because of you? You little brat, can’t you make things easier for him?"
"I..." Clara stared at Xavier in frustration. How was she being difficult?
So she shouldn’t be allowed to get married now?
Oliver waved his hand, "Alright, Xavier, just leave."
Xavier sighed and looked at Clara, "Talk to your uncle Oliver properly. Don’t upset him anymore."
"Alright, just go already."
Ugh, this ungrateful brat—Xavier shot her an exasperated look before turning around and leaving.
Clara called two servants inside to help bring the stumbling Oliver into the house.