Chapter 151: Chapter 151: Rhys Hawthorne Gets a Nosebleed
Rhys pressed his lips together, a hint of helplessness in his eyes, "Victoria, what I need is a Mrs. Hawthorne, not a secretary."
Victoria Monroe tentatively asked, "Ah... third brother?"
This was strange, right?
She scratched her head. If it weren’t for the fact that their clothes were disheveled, she would have called in Assistant Woods, as Rhys’s inner workings were hard to grasp.
Seeing she couldn’t guess, Rhys slowly said, "Call me third brother, or brother."
Victoria found it a bit strange, "But you’re younger than me, I..."
Though in society, calling someone of higher status "brother" was normal, even those older than Rhys respectfully called him Brother Rhys or Third Master.
But asking her to call him brother, it felt indescribably ambiguous.
Little did she know Rhys cared that she always treated him like a younger brother.
In a romantic relationship, she needed to see him as a man first to be attracted to him, right?
So, calling him brother wasn’t just a nickname but subtly altered her initial impression of him.
Not a younger brother, but a mature man.
Too many people called him Brother Rhys; he didn’t care for Victoria to do the same, he disliked the common address.
Rhys unhurriedly asked, "Is that okay?"
Victoria felt it was really hard to refuse Rhys’s request.
After all, he had saved her many times, and he wasn’t asking for the stars and moon, just a title.
She bit her lip and tentatively called him that, "Bro... Brother?"
Since he was younger, her cheeks ached before she managed to say it, "Well, young master is more natural."
See, there even had to be a "young" before master.
In her eyes, was everything about him small?
Victoria sensed he cared about this a lot, thought for a moment, and asked, "How about calling you Rhys?"
"Okay."
Though not as satisfied, it was similar to Julian Fordham’s title, but a step forward from before.
Victoria sighed in relief, "Little Master, happy now?"
That tone was like coaxing a child, clearly still treating him like a younger brother, making Rhys instantly unhappy again.
Yet he wore a calm expression, not showing much concern.
Victoria had agreed to his proposal, as for the rest, there was more time.
"By the way, Rhys, being the Hawthorne Family’s precious one, why were you named after something as unappealing as ’despise’?"
At first, seeing his name, she thought perhaps his parents didn’t like him, thus giving him such a name.
For example, a story of despising his birth, she could have imagined ten thousand words about it.
Rhys was pleased that she started to show interest in him, even if it was just his name.
At least he wasn’t an insignificant presence to her anymore.
"My name ’despise’ aligns with the word for satisfaction, the elders hoped I’d be content in everything, so they simplified it to ’despise’."
"So it’s satisfaction," Victoria murmured softly.
Hearing her utter his name, Rhys’s cool voice softened, "Your fever has gone down, rest a bit, I’ll have someone prepare some food, you and the baby must be hungry."
Initially, she thought with her grandmother’s passing, apart from this child, she had no other reliance in this world, but Rhys’s words "you and the baby" warmed her heart.
It seemed she found another support, even if it had nothing to do with love.
Rhys just got out of bed when his shirt was lightly tugged by a small hand.
He looked down at her, Victoria’s face was flushed, she cautiously spoke, "Um... do you have clean clothes?"
"Sorry, I didn’t pack women’s clothes in a hurry, there’s my clothes in the wardrobe, they’re clean, you can wear them for now."
"Okay, thank you."
"You’re welcome, from now on what’s mine is yours; this yacht can be your home."
Being considerate, he replied and closed the door like a gentleman.
No one knew, but as the door shut, this usually steady and reserved man clenched his fist, made a victory gesture, and couldn’t hide his excitement, "yes."
As he turned, he saw Assistant Woods’s face full of shock.
Whether shocked about Rhys and Victoria spending a whole night alone or seeing him in pajamas with tousled hair and a childish expression, wasn’t clear.
Assistant Woods had never seen such an unusual Rhys in all these years.
Love is the most terrifying virus, even the smartest person becomes a fool.
Yet those immersed in love are willing.
Assistant Woods awkwardly spoke, "Boss, last night you and Victoria..."
Rhys stepped forward to cover his mouth, dragged him to a safe, private place, and said, "Lower your voice, don’t let Victoria hear."
Once he released Assistant Woods, whose eyes were almost rolling back, Assistant Woods gossiped, "Boss, you stayed in all night, didn’t you sleep with Ms. Monroe last night?"
Rhys’s eyes visibly carried a question, he glared at him suspiciously, as if asking how he knew.
Assistant Woods grinned smugly, "Look at you, looking all refreshed. Did Ms. Monroe give you spice last night?"
Assistant Woods used to be nosy when young, following on film sets, especially with Victoria.
Victoria had top-notch gossip instincts. Whenever Rhys came by, he’d either peel oranges for her or squat aside eating seeds, ears perked like a bunny.
It was only in recent years, following him into the business world, that his lively nature steadied.
Rhys knocked him lightly on the head, "Go prepare food, remember to pay special attention to food for pregnant women, keep it bland."
Assistant Woods stepped forward and backed up two steps, knowing his boss’s warm heart, which didn’t mind such small things.
"Boss, you don’t mind Ms. Monroe carrying Julian Fordham’s child? You could have her abort it and purely marry you, raising your own kids would be better, right?"
"Principally so, but for her, I can forgo principles."
Rhys stood with hands behind, clearly young yet exhibiting a leader’s poise, "Abortion harms both the heart and body, my love is for her as a person, not just her body, thus I can embrace her and the unborn baby."
Talking about the child, Rhys’s expression suddenly turned cold, "Julian Fordham’s child has long since been gone, she’s now carrying my child."
Assistant Woods was stunned into silence, then gave him a thumbs up, "Cool."
Who would’ve thought this indifferent man had a top-tier love lens!
The Hawthorne Family was filled with romantics, from old to young all the same.
Rhys then realized he hadn’t freshened up before coming out; when Victoria agreed, he had indulged too much.
He found a guest room to freshen up and smooth out even his pajama set.
First love is the most beautiful, his psychological age was at most eighteen now.
Once he was properly dressed, he prepared some milk and pastries for Victoria.
By habit, he entered his own room, forgetting to knock.
As he opened the door, he saw Victoria wearing his pajamas top.
Out of options and modesty, she found one of Rhys’s flat pants, which, though oversized, couldn’t leave her bare, right?
But the man’s body was large, while she was slim, she had to tie a side knot to fit the waistband.
Rhys entered, witnessing the scene of the petite woman with loose hair standing barefoot, revealing two long, white legs.
On her body, she wore his shorts.
Making eye contact, Victoria hadn’t screamed yet but saw a line of crimson liquid trickling below the high bridge of the man’s nose, holding a tray.
Victoria, too shy to care, quickly voiced, "Rhys, you’re having a nosebleed..."