"Huh," looking ahead, Alder Locke chuckled sarcastically, "You must dislike talking to me."
Feeling pointed out, Titus Zane pursed his lips awkwardly and stopped talking, as Alder Locke’s voice rose again.
"I know you feel nothing towards me. Honestly, I don’t know in what ways I am inferior to your brother-in-law."
Suddenly, Titus Zane lifted his gaze to look at Alder Locke, whose dark brows furrowed, the corners of his lips twisting in disdain.
"In terms of family background, I could outpace him by miles. As for capabilities..." Alder Locke let out another snort, "Just because I idle about all day doesn’t mean I lack abilities. If I also started a company, I guarantee it would thrive."
Feeling uncomfortable as her man was belittled, Titus Zane coldly responded, "In terms of family background, Nathan Moore can’t compare to you, but the fact is I love him, and I cherish him—that’s indisputable!"
Alder Locke paused again, removed his hand from Titus Zane’s arm and, with one hand crossed over his chest and the other stroking his chin, stared at her with a half-smiling expression that made Titus Zane very uncomfortable. He then spoke.
"Is it the thrill of a forbidden love that stimulates hormones? May I be so bold as to ask, what does it feel like to live with your brother-in-law? Is it novel? Stimulating? Exciting to the point of no return?"
"You!" Titus Zane’s hands, hanging by his sides, clenched tightly as he trembled slightly with anger from Alder Locke’s rude words.
"Alright," compared to Titus Zane’s agitated emotions, Alder Locke remained calm, casually lifting a hand to steady Titus Zane’s shoulder, leading her forward once again.
"I was just imitating what the common people say. If you can’t even accept that bit of scrutiny, how will you manage to stay with that man in the future?"
Mechanically moving forward with Alder Locke, Titus Zane could not quite identify the mix of feelings within him.
Alder Locke claimed he was imitating, but she distinctly saw mockery and scorn in his eyes, which angered her not because he exposed her wounds, but because he questioned her relationship with Nathan Moore.
Titus Zane stopped walking, and Alder Locke instinctively stopped as well, turning around to face her. Looking into Alder Locke’s eyes, Titus pitched every word, "Alder Locke, since Nathan Moore and I have decided to be together, we will not care about what others say. We live our lives for ourselves, as long as we are happy together, what others think is their concern."
"But Grandfather Zane cares, and your uncle and aunt will care as well." Looking at her, Alder Locke quietly stated a fact.
"Titus Zane, don’t forget, the Zane Family in Capital City is a prestigious family; every action of each family member represents this family."
"So, even if you don’t care, you still need to consider your elders. If the scandal of you living with your brother-in-law gets out, how can Grandfather Zane, your uncle, and aunt maintain their status in Capital City?"
"And your cousin, who is pursuing a career in the military, which maintains strict discipline; who knows if your actions could bring severe negative implications for him." This update ıs available on 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝✶𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖✶𝕟𝕖𝕥
Looking at Alder Locke’s calm demeanor, Titus Zane replied coldly, "Alder Locke, stop the alarmist talk. My affair with Nathan is not as severe as you claim."
Alder Locke scoffed, "You know better than anyone how serious it is. If it’s really just a matter between you two as you said, why would Grandfather Zane have you brought back from City T?"
Meeting Titus Zane’s slightly doubtful eyes, Alder Locke continued, "Stop deceiving yourself; Grandfather Zane will not approve of you two being together."