Chapter 175: Chapter 175: Mrs. Shields’s Birthday, Nathan Fawcett Takes Her to the Shields Family
Anne Sutton looked at Ian and said gently, "Our Ian is still the cutest."
Just then, the phone Nathan Fawcett had placed on the table began to ring.
He glanced at it, pressed the answer button, and said, "Mom."
Hearing him say that, Anne Sutton instinctively fell silent.
Anna Linden ordered, "Stella’s mother’s birthday is in two days. I need you to go in my place."
Upon hearing this, Nathan Fawcett glanced at Anne Sutton sitting across from him. "I’m busy," he said.
He really didn’t want to go to the Shields’ home.
He didn’t want to give Anne Sutton another reason to lecture him about it later.
He didn’t want to be at a disadvantage the next time they argued.
"What do you have going on?" Anna Linden sounded displeased. "You can’t even handle such a small thing? Do I have to come over myself?"
Nathan Fawcett let out a resigned sigh. "Fine, I’ll go."
If his mother came over and saw Anne Sutton, he couldn’t imagine what nasty things she might say.
He didn’t want to have a complete falling out with his mother over Anne Sutton.
Now that he’d agreed, Anna Linden continued, "I also heard that you replaced Stella as the female lead. Ethan Linden, you’ve got some nerve! Bullying her while I’m away, is that it?"
Anne Sutton sat nearby, and even through the phone, she could sense the severity in Anna Linden’s voice. It was enough to make her own heart race in trepidation, let alone Nathan Fawcett.
’He’s always been completely under Anna Linden’s thumb!’
Nathan Fawcett’s brow furrowed as Anna Linden scolded him, but he remained silent.
Seeing his dad being told off, Ian quickly spoke up. "Grandma."
Hearing Ian’s voice, Anna Linden’s tone softened. "Ian, you’re there! Have you missed Grandma?"
"I missed you!" Ian said. "Since Dad and I aren’t there, you have to take good care of yourself."
Anna Linden chuckled. "Okay."
After hearing a few sweet words from Ian, she couldn’t stay angry. She said to Nathan Fawcett, "Let’s leave it at that. I’ll let the previous matter slide, but don’t you bully Stella again! Or else you’ll have me to answer to."
With that said, she hung up the phone.
Anne Sutton glanced at Nathan Fawcett. It was hard to believe that the current Head of the Linden Family still had to endure a scolding from his mother.
After hanging up, Nathan Fawcett looked at Ian and put some food on his plate, silently thanking his precious son for bailing him out.
Anne Sutton remarked, "Your mother is quite fond of Ian."
She had assumed that since Anna Linden didn’t like Nathan Fawcett, she wouldn’t like his child either.
Nathan Fawcett said, "She really didn’t, at first."
When he first brought Ian to her, Anna Linden showed no interest in the boy whatsoever.
She only started warming up to Ian because he looks like Ethan Linden. His personality is also very similar to Ethan’s when he was a child, which reminds her of her son who passed away.
That’s when she began to treat Ian, her grandson, better.
Hearing Nathan Fawcett say this, Anne Sutton glanced at Ian. The little guy had clearly seen Nathan getting a talking-to and deliberately stepped in to help.
Anne Sutton said, "Ian, you’re the best."
Ian said, "Anne, when you come home with me and Dad in the future, I’ll protect you too. I won’t let Grandma bully you."
Anne Sutton laughed at his words. So even he knew what a bad temper his grandma had!
Few people could handle Anna Linden.
"Thank you, Ian."
Though Anne Sutton had never thought that far ahead about returning to the Linden family home with Nathan Fawcett, Ian’s words still moved her deeply.
Anne Sutton glanced at Nathan Fawcett and said, "You’ve raised Ian well."
Nathan Fawcett looked at Anne Sutton. "He’s my son. Of course I’d raise him right."
"I mean, it’s quite surprising that his personality isn’t like yours."
Nathan Fawcett: "..."
Catching her insinuation, his expression darkened. "Are you saying I have a terrible personality?"
Anne Sutton picked up her glass and silently took a sip of water. ’Good,’ she thought, ’at least you know it.’
Nathan Fawcett stared at her. Seeing her silence, he took it as an admission.
And yet, there was nothing he could do about her.
Anne Sutton was eating when she heard Nathan Fawcett speak up. "Mrs. Shields’ birthday. You’re coming with me."
Hearing this, Anne Sutton looked at him and said, "Me...? Why would I go with you?"
"Isn’t she your mother’s best friend?" Nathan Fawcett said. "She’s also your elder. Shouldn’t you pay a visit?"
Anne Sutton was still exasperated by the whole situation with the Shields Family.
Hearing Nathan Fawcett’s words, she said, "I haven’t even decided if I’m going. And even if I do, it certainly won’t be with you!"
Mrs. Shields had just run to the hospital to complain to her mother, accusing her of stealing Stella Shields’ man. If she showed up with Nathan Fawcett, it wouldn’t look like she was there to celebrate a birthday; it would look like she was there to crash the party.
Nathan Fawcett said, "Why can’t you go with me?"
Anne Sutton said, "She’s always thought of you as her future son-in-law. If I go, do you think she’ll be able to enjoy her birthday? Everyone will definitely think I’m there to cause a scene. It’ll be a wonder if they don’t throw me out."
"Why else would I be asking you?" Nathan Fawcett said. "Do you really want me to be with Stella Shields?"
"If you really want to, who am I to stop you from marrying your beautiful bride?" Anne Sutton said to Nathan Fawcett. "Whatever makes you happy. My respects. My blessings."
Nathan Fawcett looked at her. "Are you serious?"
"..." Anne Sutton raised an eyebrow. "Only if you don’t stop me from being with other people in the future."
"You really are a fickle woman!" Nathan Fawcett said, exasperated.
He looked at Anne Sutton and threatened, "Fine, you don’t have to go. Then I won’t go either. I’ll just take Ian and go straight back to Veridia."
"..."
’Holy shit!’
’He’s threatening me again!’
...
Anne Sutton glanced at Ian and saw him looking at her with a pitiful expression.
’If Nathan Fawcett ever really did end up with Stella Shields, given his inability to tell right from wrong, who knew how much poor little Ian would have to suffer.’
Anne Sutton said, "Fine, I’ll go."
’She could already imagine how much the Shields family would want to strangle her the moment they saw her.’
...
Anne Sutton had a busy afternoon and lost track of time.
She had just finished changing when her phone rang. It was Nathan Fawcett. "When are you coming out?"
She glanced at the time and only then remembered that she had promised to go with him to the Shields’ home today for Mrs. Shields’ birthday party.
Anne Sutton said, "Coming right out! Where are you?"
She hurried to the car and saw Nathan Fawcett sitting there, looking cool and aloof. Ian was next to him and greeted Anne Sutton warmly, "Anne."
Anne Sutton got in the car and said to Nathan Fawcett, "Sorry, I’m late. I had so much to do today, I really didn’t mean it. Have you been waiting long?"
Nathan Fawcett looked at her. "I was starting to think you’d decided to run for it."
Anne Sutton: "...It’s not that bad. Am I that much of a coward? What do you think of my dress?"
She had changed into this outfit specifically for the occasion.
Nathan Fawcett gazed at the dress she was wearing. It was different from her usual style, and quite stunning.
The red dress made her skin look even fairer.
His eyes darkened for a moment before he looked away. "It’s average."
"..." Anne Sutton said, "Well, what should I do? I didn’t bring any other clothes."
"It is what it is. It’ll have to do."
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