Bait for a Gentleman novel Chapter 35

Willow quietly stepped to the side.

Waldo let go of his cane to grasp both her hands in his, looking her up and down, his eyes turning slightly red.

"Good, good, I'm just glad you're back." He patted the back of her hands affectionately. "In three years, you only visited a handful of times, staying barely two days before leaving again. You're staying for good this time, right?"

A lump formed in her throat as she shook her head. "I'm not leaving. I'm staying."

When her father had died, the entire Sutton family had come to pay their respects.

Waldo had stood before the memorial for a long time. Before leaving, he had taken her hand and said, "Audrina, from now on, the Sutton family is your home. If anyone ever bullies you, you tell me."

Blinking back the heat in her eyes, she asked, "Is the weather nice in Bayside City? Have you been feeling okay lately?"

Before Waldo could answer, a male voice cut in from behind. "You just got off the plane and came straight out here to catch a chill instead of resting."

Quentin Sutton walked up, gently supporting the old man's arm.

Tamara was right beside him. Her gaze swept over Audrina, a faint, completely unreadable smile resting on her lips.

It was Zachary's parents.

She greeted them with polite deference. "Mr. Sutton, Mrs. Sutton."

They both gave a stiff nod in acknowledgment.

Waldo waved Quentin off dismissively. "Rest for what? I'm perfectly healthy. The moment I heard Audrina came back early, I had to come see her."

Refusing to let go of her hands, he began fussing over her, asking about her time in the US, if she had been eating well, if her studies were too stressful, and why she looked so thin.

She answered every question patiently, a warm feeling blossoming in her chest.

Quentin smoothly intervened. "Dad, you just landed. Go back to your suite and relax. It's going to be a long evening, so save your energy."

Only then did Waldo finally release her hands. "Alright, you go have fun. It's boring for you young folks to hang around an old man like me anyway. Sit next to me at dinner; we'll catch up properly then."

She nodded with a bright smile. "I will."

The second Quentin led Waldo away, the smile Tamara had maintained instantly chilled.

Her eyes roamed over Audrina, slowly assessing her from head to toe.

Tamara shot her a condescending look. "We all know Waldo dotes on you. But he's well into his eighties now. How many more years can he protect you? Once he's gone, ask yourself—who exactly will you rely on in this family?"

Aside from Waldo, the rest of the Suttons despised her as nothing more than a destitute orphan coasting on their charity.

She was well aware of this fact.

But because Quentin had little influence over the old man, Tamara never dared treat her poorly in front of Waldo.

She could only resort to delivering these underhanded jabs behind his back.

Tamara knew Zachary had only taken over management of the Sutton Group; he wasn't the official heir yet, and extended relatives were constantly circling like vultures.

That was why she desperately needed Audrina to give Waldo a great-grandson, cementing Zachary's position of power once and for all.

Audrina lowered her eyes, putting on a show of listening intently.

Mistaking her silence for submission, Tamara smugly adjusted her immaculate updo.

She threw her a sharp look. "We're not forcing you, merely advising you. Ultimately, your status relies on giving us an heir. Take advantage of being young and healthy. In a few years—"