Chapter 30 Why Pretending?
Clara was stunned and shook her head.
Horace said that it was better not for her to know, so she never asked.
“Ten years ago, Horace had a car accident.” Alastair said as if there was nothing to hide from her, “everyone thought that Horace was crippled in that accident, but in fact, he was only injured. After arriving in the United States, he was cured.”
Clara recalled that she had seen the report of the car accident on the news that year.
At that time, Horace was less than 20 years old. He had just entered college and was kidnapped. The kidnappers asked for a ransom of $100 million. This incident was so wildly reported that it was all over the news at that time.
It was said that after receiving the ransom, the kidnappers drove away with him as their hostages, but they did not expect a car accident on the road. The kidnappers were killed on the spot, and Horace was seriously injured.
However, at that time, many details were closed to the public, so nobody knew that the second child of the Kirkland family was injured in both legs. The only thing the public knew was that he went to the States for medical treatment and became weak and ill from then on.
“I’ve probably heard of some of that.” Clara said, “so after he was cured in the United States, he continued to pretend to be disabled?”
“Yes,” Alastair tilted his head, “but guess why?”
Clara did know how to react.
Alastair and Horace were really different. Girls probably liked his personality better.
“Why?” Clara pretended to be thinking before she replied, “Maybe because he did not want his family members to guard against him?”
In fact, Clara had thought about the reason Horace pretended to be disabled. She had already had her own deduction.
At any rate, she was also a news reporter. Although she had no experience living in powerful families, she could guess that Horace’s endeavor to hide his recovery must have something to do with his family.
She had never met Horace’s eldest brother, or Darren’s father, Sean. However, it was widely known that Sean was a man with great ambition and ruthless means. Now as Russell Kirkland got older and weaker, Sean was slowly taking over his family’s business.NôvelDrama.Org content.
Horace, on the other hand, completely put aside his relationship with his family and started from scratch. That might also be to avoid conflicts with his elder brother.
So, could it be because of his brother?
Clara was just guessing, but she had won the approval of Alastair, “Good guess, Clara. You are a smart gal!”
Clara gave out an awkward smile, “I’ve seen many TV shows.”
Alastair laughed and said, “in fact, his family is too big and involved in too many business sectors. The complexity is not much different from that of Netflix shows. Anyway, he is more than a man born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He has had a very difficult life over these years.”
Clara was stunned but soon nodded.
For a whole decade, it must have been hard to have to sit in a wheelchair while being completely healthy, and guarding against his own family.
Alastair suddenly put away his smile and looked serious and said, “So, Clara, please promise me. Make him happy. Don’t break his heart.”
Clara never expected those words from Alastair. She was stunned.
Make him happy?
But what happiness could she give him?
Before Clara could answer, she suddenly heard a steady footstep, accompanied by a cold voice, “what are you talking about?”
Clara turned around and saw that Horace got back.
Horace was standing. His perfect body shape was outlined in a light blue shirt, and his long legs were straight and slender.
A hint of sadness flashed across Clara’s eyes.
How did it feel for an excellent man like him to have to sit in a wheelchair?
“I’m telling Clara that I fell in love with her at first sight and was about to steal her from you.” As soon as Alastair saw Horace, he immediately showed a flirtatious smile, with an unseemly face. “Horace, you know me. Women just cannot resist my charm. You be careful man!”
“Don’t compare Clara with the women around you.” Horace said faintly, went to the table, and opened the wine with a bottle opener. “You are not her type.”
“Ok man, chill.” Alastair snorted and laughed out.
At the dinner table, Alastair was so humorous and Clara laughed through the meal. After finishing the last dessert, Alastair wiped his mouth and got up reluctantly.
“Well, Clara, I have another appointment today. I won’t bother you and Horace. I’ll see you next time.”
Clara stood up and saw off the guests with Horace. He watched Alastair’s red sports car drive away before returning to the dining room.
In the restaurant, Horace was taking the finished plate back to the kitchen.
“Let me do it.” Clara immediately walked over to take the plate from Horace, but he raised his hand and stopped her.
“I can still do these things,” Horace whispered.
Clara had no choice but to be his assistant while he cleaned up.
After all the dishes were in the dishwasher. Horace suddenly asked, “What did Alastair tell you just now?”
Clara was stunned for a moment, but he told him the truth, “he told me the reason why you pretend to be disabled.”
“Ok.” Horace was not surprised.
After years of friendship with Alastair, he must have known him so well and he would have guessed.
“Do you blame me?” Horace suddenly opened his mouth and looked up at Clara deeply.
Clara was taken aback and didn’t know how to respond. After a while, she whispered, “For what?”
“I should have told you these things myself.” Horace put the last plate into the machine and whispered.
Clara said, “It doesn’t make any difference. Without your consent, Alastair wouldn’t have told me.”
Horace glanced at Clara.
Sure enough, although Clara never talked much, she knew it clearly in her heart.
She deserved to be the woman he liked.
“You are right.” Horace led Clara out of the kitchen. “Alastair is better with words than me.”
What this meant was that Alastair might do a better job at explaining his situation to Clara.
“As for the detailed reasons.” Horace hesitated and added, “I still can’t explain that to you right now. The more you know, the more dangerous it is for you. I hope you understand.”
Clara nodded. “I know you want to protect me.”
Clara’s words were very light, just like a feather. But this feather swept across Horace’s heart. He held Clara’s hands tight.
Clara felt that Horace was holding her hand tight, and her face was a little blushed. Just when she wanted to say something, she suddenly heard her mobile phone ringing in the living room.
“I need to answer that. Please wait for a second.” She withdrew her hand from his and walked to the living room.
Picking up the mobile phone on the tea table, Clara frowned when she saw the caller ID.
She answered the phone and said, “Ashlee, why are you calling me?”