Chapter 34 He Is Aloof
“Mr. Crawford, watch your manners,” a middle-aged woman in a suit spoke sharply. She was standing beside Lola, and Byron recognized her as the housekeeper from Heather’s family.
“Jones…” Heather quickly pulled the housekeeper’s arm to silence her.
“Jones, Byron is simply concerned about Heather,” Lola added with an air of superiority, noticing how even a servant from the Ross family dared to challenge Byron’s manners.
“Mrs. Lola Crawford, today is the day Miss Ross and Mr. Crawford are supposed to choose a banquet hotel. Miss Ross was in high spirits and had already informed Mr. and Mrs. Ross of her choice earlier. But now, with things going as they are, Mr. and Mrs. Ross are becoming worried. We are starting to question the Crawford family’s sincerity in uniting with the Ross family,” Jones said, her words sharp.
“So what?” Byron replied coldly, his tone dismissive.
“Mr. Crawford…” Jones stuttered, her arrogance immediately deflated by Byron’s commanding presence. Still, she tried to continue, but Byron turned his attention to Heather.
“Didn’t I tell you that I’m agreeable to whatever place or style you choose?” Byron asked, his voice calm but firm.
“Byron!” Lola snapped, surprised that Byron would direct his frustration at Heather.
“Did I cause your car accident?” Byron pressed on, his voice still harsh.
“No…” Heather’s face turned pale as she quickly added, “I told my parents I hit a fire hydrant myself because I didn’t know the way well.”
“Good,” Byron replied, his eyes narrowing as he glanced at Jones. “Miss Ross, our marriage is a mutually beneficial arrangement for both families. But if anyone thinks they can coerce or threaten me with this, then we might need to reconsider whether this cooperation is necessary.”
“Byron, what are you talking about?” Lola asked, her tone angry.
“Mrs. Lola Crawford, what Byron says is true,” Heather spoke up softly, her voice apologetic. “Jones spoke out of turn today. I apologize for her behavior.”
Jones’s face went pale. She hadn’t expected Byron to react so strongly over her complaints.
Earlier that day, Jones had checked Byron’s schedule. After leaving the hotel, he’d gone straight to the airport, and from there, flew to Salin City. His secretary—rumored to be having an affair with him—was also in Salin City. Jones didn’t believe Byron had gone there for business.
Her suspicions had caused Heather to be upset throughout the day, culminating in the car accident. Now, Byron had Heather apologize to him.
Byron, seeing the distress in Heather’s eyes, softened his expression. “Are you alright?” he asked gently.
Heather shook her head, tears welling in her eyes. “Yeah. There was an airbag.”
“Don’t pretend to be strong!” Lola’s voice cracked with concern. “Look at you! You have a concussion and a sprained hand!”
Only then did Byron notice that Heather’s right hand was in a cast.
Heather lowered her gaze, her face full of quiet sorrow.
Lola shot Byron an accusing look and said, “Heather will stay in the hospital for observation tonight. You stay here with her.”
Byron hesitated for a moment, but finally answered, “Okay.”
“Heather, Byron has always been this way. He’s aloof and doesn’t know how to show he cares,” Lola added, turning to Heather and speaking with a smile, “But you can train him to be more thoughtful once you two are married.”
Heather nodded, her cheeks flushed with shyness.
But…
In her heart, Heather couldn’t help but wonder. She had always thought that Byron knew how to care for others. She recalled the scene earlier when Byron had rushed to carry Athena without a second thought, even risking injury from the glass on the ground.