Chapter 227: First Meeting with Mr. Hudson

Nathari paused mid-stroke, his eyes rising to meet the woman in the portrait. Her captivating gaze held a mix of curiosity and mischief, exuding both depth and allure.

Maggie, upon meeting the portrait's gaze, felt a jolt, a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks.

Before she could respond, Nathari chuckled. "I adore all the children you bring into this world," he remarked, "but a daughter, bearing your likeness, would undoubtedly capture my heart even more."

Maggie shifted uncomfortably. "Don't presume," she retorted. "I never said I intended to bear children for you."

Nathari raised a teasing eyebrow. "Then whom do you intend to bear children for? Joseph? Does he even deserve such a privilege?"

For the first time, Maggie sensed hostility, a threat lurking beneath his words. It felt as if a negative answer would send her to the river to feed the fish. "Enough!" she exclaimed, her cheeks ablaze. "I refuse to engage in such discussions with you!" She abruptly ended the call, overwhelmed by embarrassment.

Regret washed over her. Burying her face in the blanket, she wished she could retract her words. Moments later, her phone chimed with a new message.

It was from Nathari: "Any plans for a little one? I'm here to assist."

Argh! How aggravating! she thought. It's clearly ridicule! This is utterly humiliating!

I am a reserved girl

After a moment's thought, Maggie nibbled her lip and crafted a playful response.

To Nathari's astonishment, her reply appeared on his screen almost instantly: "I got it."

Speechless, Nathari stared at the message, a profound yearning tugging at his heart. A chuckle escaped him, and he rose, ambling to the window to light a cigarette. Smoke curled around him as he pondered in silence.

The next morning, Maggie rushed home, eager to continue work on the brooch she intended to give Nathari. Her small apartment, though cramped, boasted a guest room adjoining a storage area. Discovering a hidden door, she had cleverly converted it into a jewelry workshop. To any visitor, it would simply appear as storage, concealing her secret workspace.

After a busy morning of crafting, some tasks required professional tools back at the company. She also had a meeting with Timothy. After a quick meal, she soothed her aching shoulders and set off to Timothy's address.

By 1:40 PM, she arrived. Timothy's house was a solitary villa, distinguished by its exceptionally well-maintained courtyard—not a small, token space, but generously large.

With time to spare, Maggie walked the perimeter, envisioning a garden-like landscape. She contemplated a modern-classic fusion for the interior design, wondering if Timothy, given his youthful demeanor, would appreciate the classic elements. At that moment, the door swung open.

Timothy, in a crisp white shirt, smiled warmly. "Hi, Maggie."

Maggie approached. "You're early."

"Yes, I saw you arrive and wanted to welcome you," Timothy replied, smiling and ushering her inside.

Despite his pale complexion and a subtle fragility, Timothy possessed a lively energy and youthful vigor that belied any notion of illness.

Entering the courtyard with Timothy, Maggie noted slightly overgrown trees and weeds, suggesting a lack of recent tending. Despite the uneven ground, the spaciousness offered an expansive view, and she again envisioned the potential of a garden landscape. Soon, Timothy guided her inside.

Chapter 227: First Meeting with Mr. Hudson (continued)

It was clear Timothy had likely inherited the house. The upstairs remained unfinished, but the first floor, simply decorated, hinted at previous occupancy. The decor lacked a distinct style but felt lived-in and warm.

"Mr. Timothy, Ms. Adam," an elderly man, perhaps in his sixties, announced, placing two cups of tea on the weathered table. The aroma filled the air, a comforting presence amidst the somewhat dilapidated surroundings.

Timothy introduced the man. "This is Mr. Hudson. He's cared for me since I was young. He's family to me. While I may not stay here long, I want to ensure his comfort and allow him to retire here peacefully."

Timothy's expression turned serious. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Hudson," Maggie greeted warmly. The elderly man, with gray hair and simple linen clothing, possessed deep wrinkles and faint spots on his cheeks, exuding reserved gentleness. However, his eyes held a sharpness, their yellowish whites and dim pupils hinting at a less amiable temperament.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Adam," Samuel Hudson nodded, carefully scrutinizing her face.

Maggie spoke gently. "If you intend to stay, you might appreciate some classic aesthetics. I could install a bamboo awning, build a platform beneath it for tea brewing, and create a pond with lotus flowers and red carp."

Samuel nodded. "I'll follow Mr. Timothy's wishes."

Timothy considered this. "It's an excellent idea. Even Anthony seems intrigued."

Before going upstairs, Maggie surveyed the first floor. As she started up the stairs, she noticed Samuel's gaze lingering on her. It felt slightly impolite. Considering his age and long tenure caring for Timothy, she reasoned there must be a reason.

"Are you observing something on my face?" Maggie asked directly, turning to Samuel.

Timothy paused, glancing at Maggie then at Samuel. "What's wrong, Mr. Hudson?"

Samuel's gaze remained fixed on Maggie. After a moment, he cautiously asked, "May I examine Ms. Adam's pulse?"

Chapter 227: First Meeting with Mr. Hudson (continued)

"Examine my pulse?" Maggie echoed, intrigued.

Timothy explained, "Mr. Hudson comes from a family of medical practitioners. Given my health issues, my father entrusted him with my care."