Flash Marriage To The Dangerous Billionaire - Chapter 19: Chapter 19

Pushing aside his lingering emotion, Scott clapped his hands at the servants to serve the food. He then turned back to Hallie with a hearty laugh, tugging her down into the seat beside him. "Sweetheart, has this brat been treating you right lately?"
Hallie instinctively glanced toward the so-called brat. But Nelson didn't even blink. Clearly, he was more than used to the nickname.
"Yeah," Hallie replied awkwardly, the words feeling like they scraped against her throat on the way out. "Nelson's been good to me."
"That's what I like to hear," Scott said with a nod. "But don't be afraid to speak up, alright? If he upsets you or whatever, come straight to me."
Scott shot Nelson a glare, clearly unimpressed by his grandson's calm demeanor.
Scott added, "I know him too well. Don't cover for him. If he ever pulls a long face in front of you, tell me anytime. I've still got my old military whip in the bedroom—just waiting to be put to good use."
Hallie cleared her throat and tried to keep her voice from sounding too stiff. "Grandpa, Nelson is good-looking, and honestly, he's very capable at work. Sure, he's a bit fiery, but it's nothing unforgivable. I can handle it."
Nelson, who had been silently cutting his steak, lifted his brows.
"You really think that? You don't mind?" Scott, clearly pleased by Hallie's effort, looked like his entire complexion had brightened just from that one sentence.
Hallie closed her eyes for a second, thinking, 'Words cost nothing. If a little sweet talk makes things easier tonight, then I might as well try.'
"I don't mind at all," Hallie said warmly. "I really like Nelson. He's the best man I've ever met in my life."
She turned to Scott with a radiant smile. "Grandpa, I should thank you for bringing such a wonderful man into my life."
Scott looked absolutely overjoyed, almost grinning from ear to ear. "Good, that's wonderful."
But just then, a voice oozed in from beside Hallie—soft, deliberate, and sickeningly sweet. "Dear."
Just one word, and Hallie felt a chill rush down her spine, every hair standing on end like someone had poured ice water down her back.
She turned around stiffly and saw Nelson, looking deceptively tender, but his eyes were brimming with mischief and something far meaner beneath the surface.
"Here," he said, pushing a full plate of steak toward her. "I cut this just for you. I know it's your favorite."
It was a full plate, packed to the edge. The message couldn't have been clearer: She could eat a lot.
"Thank you so much, Nel," Hallie said through clenched teeth.
But then, her eyes lit up. "Honey, you've been working so hard lately. Let me get you something nice," she said sweetly, rolling up her sleeves.
She carefully began placing bits of dishes into Nelson's plate while watching him closely the whole time.
When Hallie picked up a dish that contained garlic, Nelson's brows twitched, and Hallie noticed that.
So she grabbed a large helping and dropped it right into his plate. She said with a sugary voice, "This one's your favorite, isn't it? Try some."
"Nelson, why the long face? Hallie's serving you food with such care," Scott barked, slapping the table hard enough to rattle the cutlery. The force made him cough roughly.
Nelson's lips curved into a faint smile. He turned his head, his gaze landing on Hallie. "Thank you so much, dear."
Then, lowering his voice until it sounded like the devil whispering, he added, "You know Grandpa hates people who waste food. Make sure to eat every bite."
Hallie's smile froze upon hearing his words.
Nelson began eating, calm as ever. Each movement was elegant. Even when he picked up the garlic he loathed most, he didn't even wince.
Hallie had barely gotten through a single piece of steak before her stomach started to protest.
Scott said casually, as if completely unaware of the little battle unfolding at the table, "Hallie, if you can't finish it, just leave the rest on your plate. Sunny hasn't eaten yet. The staff can take it to feed Sunny."
Hallie was grateful upon hearing that. She said, "Got it."
Dabbing at her lips with a napkin before pushing the plate away, she turned to Nelson and said with a smile, "Take your time, honey."
She even poured him a glass of water gracefully, like the perfect wife.
During dinner, Scott's appetite seemed better than ever, his face glowing with contentment.
Meanwhile, Nelson quietly finished every last bit of the garlic-loaded dish in front of him, not showing even a flicker of discomfort.
When dinner was finally over, Hallie was more than ready to leave. But Nelson made no move to suggest they go.
Since they'd just put on the performance of a picture-perfect couple, it would be awkward for her to leave alone.
Only when the clock struck 9:30 PM did Scott finally declare, "Alright, that's enough for tonight."
He glanced out the window and raised his brows in surprise. "My goodness, it's already so late. Hallie, Nelson, driving home now would be silly. You've got work tomorrow, don't you? Just stay the night. Pick a room that feels right and get some rest."
And with that, he yawned, waved them off, and made his way upstairs.
Hallie blinked, caught off guard. She turned to look at Nelson.
"Come on," Nelsin said calmly. With a blank expression, he started up the opposite staircase.
They walked through the corridor in silence. Nelson stopped in front of his bedroom, opened it, and stepped inside.
Hallie glanced around. The room was sharp-edged, minimally decorated, and utterly devoid of warmth.
"This is your room?" she asked, frowning.
"What else would it be?" he replied, already tugging loose his tie.
Hallie's expression turned tense. She instinctively pulled back the foot she'd just raised to enter the room. "And where's my room?"
"You're sleeping here tonight," Nelson said, giving her a sidelong glance.
Hallie stepped back in alarm and held out her hand. "I'm not sharing a room with you. Give me the key to another room."
"You still don't get it, do you?" Nelson's eyes narrowed, and he took a step toward her.
In the quiet night, even the faint cedarwood scent clinging to him seemed amplified.
Hallie leaned back slightly, her ankles tensing like they were preparing to flee. But she held her ground, unwilling to give him the satisfaction of seeing her fear. She stared right back into his eyes, unblinking.
Nelson stopped half a few inches away and towered over her. "I can guarantee you, every other guest room in this house is probably locked. Grandpa's idea, of course. And don't bother thinking about asking the staff—none of them would dare go against his wishes.
"So come in. I'm not interested in you. You've got five seconds before I close the door."
Left with no real choice, Hallie stepped into Nelson's room like someone walking into enemy territory.
To her surprise, Nelson pulled two blankets from the wardrobe and laid them neatly out on the floor.
"You're sleeping on the floor?" Hallie asked, raising her brows.
'Maybe he's not such a jerk after all,' thought Hallie.
"No," Nelson said flatly. "You are."
Without giving her another glance, he turned and walked into the bathroom. Moments later, the sound of running water filled the room.
Figures. This is his turf, after all. I've got no say here,' Hallie thought bitterly.
Fifteen minutes later, Nelson emerged from the bathroom. His damp hair clung messily to his forehead, and a drop of water slid slowly down the sharp line of his jaw.