Chapter 144: Chapter 144: I Liked You Before Third Brother Did
Sharing good news...
Upon first hearing it, Thea Lynch didn’t quite catch on and thought there was really something good happening.
Soon, she realized Ian Preston was talking about her and Silas Cheney.
It was just teasing, but there was an unexplainable sourness to it.
It could be smelled even over the phone.
Since he said it like that, Thea just went along with it, intentionally saying, "Yeah, third brother, your information is lightning fast. I haven’t even had the chance to say it, and you already know why I’m here."
"Ha." Ian let out a light chuckle, but it didn’t sound as joyful as before. "Are you purposely trying to annoy me?"
"I’m here to share good news, how could that annoy you?" Thea leaned against the swing set, her toe tapping the ground in boredom, "Shouldn’t you be happy for me?"
On the other end, Ian lowered his eyes without a change in expression, tongue pushing against his molar, feeling there was really nothing he could do with her at the moment.
Silas sat to his right; he couldn’t hear what Thea said, but he could read people. From Ian’s reaction, it wasn’t really anger; on closer inspection, there was even a bit of happiness.
"Really agreed?" he asked knowingly.
"Agreed to what?"
"You and Silas."
"Oh, is that what third brother means..." Thea paused, chuckled, "I’d love to agree, but unfortunately, it seems someone disagrees."
"No, I agree." This was said almost through gritted teeth.
Thea: "I never said it was you, third brother. I was saying fourth brother wouldn’t agree."
"..."
Ian could only take the hit from Thea; few others dared to speak to him like this.
Knowing he was busy, Thea didn’t continue to chatter, "Third brother, when you’re done, make sure fourth brother calls me back."
She didn’t say much more; hearing Ian’s promise, she hung up first.
Thea put away her phone and turned back, only to run into Sean Bell smoking around the corner. Noticing the half-burned cigarette in his hand, it seemed he’d been there a while.
The two exchanged a glance, and Sean stubbed out his cigarette.
"Your relationship with third brother has improved quite a bit now, huh?"
"Thanks to you," Thea curled her lips faintly. Looking him up and down, she mocked, "When are you going to quit this eavesdropping habit?"
Sean hadn’t tossed the cigarette yet; hearing this, he quickly raised his hands, smiling roguishly, "You’re really wronging me by saying that."
"I came out for a smoke, who knew you’d be making a call here."
"Nonsense." Thea gave him a glance.
Sean and Julian went in first, and she said she’d make a call. Sean saw her here, so how could he not know?
He really lied without a script, speaking so casually.
Caught, Sean didn’t struggle, just admitted it. "I only dared to eavesdrop a bit when it’s you. I wouldn’t dare with third brother. You’ve got to understand, everyone loves gossip."
Thea really couldn’t handle him.
"Confirmed, right? I wasn’t lying to you; third brother truly knows." Sean knew what her call was about.
"To be fair, you’re quite the catch."
"Today in the car, Aunt Qing was basically trying to set you up with second brother. Tsk, we’re lucky our elders have good temperaments, or they’d start fighting over you long ago."
"It’s not that exaggerated." Thea looked away.
Sean counted on his fingers, speaking to her. "Aunt Qing definitely wants you and second brother together, Grandpa Rhodes naturally sides with Silas. My grandpa was partial to me at first, but now... he’s joined forces with Old Preston, shipping you and third brother as a couple."
"In the end, I’m the only fool here."
Thea: "..."
Sean sighed, "Luckily, I don’t intend to compete; otherwise, there’d be a show to watch."
"The elders are just speaking casually; why take it seriously?"
Sean: "You’re the only seedling in our yard. They watched you grow up firsthand. When it comes to reliability, who’s more reliable than you? You’re absolutely the top candidate for granddaughter-in-law in the minds of these old men."
"Too bad, there’s only one of you."
Sean wasn’t exaggerating this time, just speaking the truth.
The status Thea held in these elders’ hearts was even a notch higher than their biological grandsons.
There’s no comparison.
Take Thea returning to the country for so long; apart from the Rhodes Family, no one dared to approach her, just seeing that with these old men backing her, outsiders dared not engage with her.
Some feared being accused of social climbing, prideful to avoid mockery. Some, with ulterior motives themselves, feared they’d stray with other women after getting close to Thea, and getting caught would lead to many questions, a messy aftermath.
Some people were like him... genuinely liked her but knew they didn’t match, so they just silently watched.
Sean was never a man with low self-esteem, even somewhat arrogant.
Yet even someone like him didn’t dare to reach for Thea.
Though Sean found Thea and Ian’s years of awkwardness an unnecessary waste of time and life, thinking it too pretentious.
But when quiet, on deep thought, who else could it be but Ian? Who else?
Even second brother seemed a bit inferior.
As for... him?
Was he worthy?
Compared to third brother, his achievements were negligible, even less impressive than his notorious past.
To actually have Thea be with him?
If Thea really ended up with him, it would truly be shameless.
He knew his worth best; he was just a pile of mud, being with Thea would truly wrong her.
Rather than wanting Thea to be with him, he hoped Thea would be happy.
——
Thea wasn’t a fool; too much had happened lately, and she could sense some information.
For instance, Sean liked her.
She initially thought Sean’s liking would be as crazy as the person himself. Yet upon observation, his affections seemed much more rational than she imagined.
Thea was genuinely surprised.
Even more so than when she learned Sean liked her.
She even pondered if Sean’s feelings were genuine, or just a prank? Saying deliberately vague things made her ponder.
He was truly bored, something he was capable of doing.
But...
After a moment’s gaze, Thea’s lips parted slightly, asking slowly, "When did you start liking me?"
Sean wasn’t surprised by the question.
He fidgeted with the extinguished cigarette, feigning hesitation, then said, "Forgot."
In the next second, he smiled, "But definitely before third brother."
"..."
The way he put it, to know his timing, you’d need to ask Ian first.
"Didn’t you notice?"
"No," Thea answered truthfully, not lying.
Sean kept his usual expression, not upset, showing understanding: "That’s true, you couldn’t even tell third brother liked you."
