Bait for a Gentleman novel Chapter 56

"You built your career with your own two hands, and of course, we acknowledge that. Besides, no one is forcing you to take over the Hawthorne family tomorrow, right? But you're twenty-nine this year," Felix sighed. "You don't even have a girlfriend. How could your parents not be worried? I'm exhausted, laying in this hospital bed, and my old bones still have to stress over your marriage."

Sebastian looked entirely unfazed and completely indifferent. "I don't need you stressing over it."

Because of what happened back then, he had grown increasingly distant from his parents. Even after returning to the country, he only ever went back to the Hawthorne estate for an occasional meal out of sheer blood obligation, barely uttering more than two words to them.

But his relationship with his uncle had always been good.

Whenever Franco and his wife needed something, they used Felix as their messenger.

They figured Sebastian would at least listen to a few words from Felix.

Felix took a deep breath, deciding to stop beating around the bush. "Anyway, the family arranged a blind date for you this time. Just go meet her."

"No."

The rejection was sharp and decisive, without a second of hesitation.

Felix had anticipated this reaction, so he didn't panic. He slowly picked up his thermos and took a sip. "Just do it so I can report back to your parents, alright? Just go meet her. If it doesn't work out, we'll drop it. It's not like anyone has ever been able to force you to do anything your whole life."

Sebastian stayed silent.

Assuming his nephew's resolve was crumbling, Felix kept nagging, "She's a few years younger than you, currently working at—"

"Fine," Sebastian suddenly interrupted him. "I'll go."

Felix froze, clearly not expecting him to change his tune so quickly and agree so easily.

Was the kid planning to pull some kind of stunt again?

"But I have a condition."

Felix knew it. "What condition?"

"Stop faking sick." Sebastian stood up and cast a disdainful look at the IV bag hanging by the bed. "I can still read the word 'Glucose'."

Zachary walked around to the passenger side and opened the door. Audrina stepped out, wrapped in a camel-colored coat with her long hair cascading over her shoulders. She barely had any makeup on today, her lips a natural, pale shade. She held the collar of her coat tightly closed, looking as if she were freezing.

Zachary casually pushed the car door shut, stepped up beside her, and the two walked shoulder-to-shoulder in his direction.

Zachary was the first to spot him. He paused for a second before smiling and calling out, "Sebastian? What a coincidence, you're at the hospital too?"

Sebastian nodded. "Visiting an older relative."

His gaze slid smoothly past Zachary's face and landed squarely on Audrina.

He asked with feigned nonchalance, "What about you two? Is Ms. Monroe feeling unwell?"

Just as Zachary opened his mouth to reply, Audrina shifted half a step closer to her fiancé and spoke in a soft, gentle voice.

"Just here for a checkup. The wedding is coming up, so we need to start preparing for a baby."