Audrey responded and explained, "A friend visiting from out of town."

  Hearing this, Auntie Christine looked at Chris with a meaningful glance and then tentatively asked, "A friend from out of town? Is he staying here?"

  "No, Auntie Christine, he's just here for a short while and will be leaving soon. He arrived right before you."

  Audrey promptly denied the implication. She poured two more glasses of water, inviting Auntie Christine and Mr. Lawson to sit down.

  Only after sitting did Mr. Lawson finally shift his gaze away from Audrey. He first cast a wary look at Chris, then glanced around the room, and finally spoke his first words: "This apartment is quite small. I heard from my aunt that you have three children? How did you all fit?"

  Audrey was momentarily taken aback before realizing the question was directed at her. She replied, "The space isn't large, but we've gotten used to it. Now that both my daughters are away at university in Aethelburg, the place actually feels a bit empty to me."

  Auntie Christine quickly chimed in, "Mr. Lawson, didn't I tell you? Audrey's three children are all exceptional. The eldest attends that University of Science and Technology, the second one is at that film academy. They're very clever children, taking after their mother."

  Matchmakers were always skilled at saying flattering things. Clearly, Auntie Christine had already briefed Mr. Lawson about Audrey's situation. He must have been interested to come for this meeting.

  When seated, Mr. Lawson's body seemed to shrivel into itself even more, like someone underdeveloped. Yet, he deliberately tried to maintain a profound and composed facial expression, creating an extremely discordant and unappealing mismatch between his image and his attempted demeanor.

  Especially the way he looked at her made Audrey feel it was particularly rude, as if he were inspecting an object.

  The man didn't respond to Auntie Christine's flattery. Instead, he looked at Audrey and asked, "Are you aware of my circumstances?"

  Before Audrey could answer, he lifted his chin with a proud air and continued on his own. "Perhaps I should explain my situation to you in detail. I'm from South Lake, 51 years old this year. I know I may appear rather youthful, but I am indeed 51."

  Audrey: ?

  Where was this youthful appearance he spoke of?

  Mr. Lawson continued, " Christine said you're 44? Originally, I had requirements regarding a partner's age, preferably not over 40. After all, it's harder to have children when one is older. But Christine mentioned you've given birth to three children, so I think you must have some good fortune regarding fertility. You yourself look younger than your actual age and have quite good poise. I personally value poise the most."

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  By this point, Audrey's expression had already begun to shift slightly. However, out of respect for Auntie Christine, the elder present, she held her tongue.

  Mr. Lawson, his mouth running non-stop, went on: "I also have a child, not yet 30, a son. He currently manages the business for our family's northern market. But don't worry, if you bear a child for me—preferably a son—I will certainly leave a portion of my assets to our child in the future. After all, it would be my own flesh and blood; I definitely wouldn't show favoritism only to the eldest."

  Audrey's expression was now barely holding together. Auntie Christine, a shrewd woman accustomed to reading faces, noticed Audrey seemed displeased and quickly interjected, "Audrey, Mr. Lawson is just a very straightforward person. But isn't efficiency the point of these meetings? You see, he's being very upfront and sincere with you."

  Audrey forced a strained smile, hesitating about how to phrase her refusal, when Chris suddenly spoke up.

  He was lounging casually on the sofa, yet his distinguished air was undiminished. "Excuse me, I'm curious to ask, Mr. Lawson, is it? What business are you in?"

  Chris's interjection took everyone by surprise. Mr. Lawson was momentarily stunned, then attempted to adopt a superior posture in front of Chris. However, he found himself instinctively intimidated by the other man's naturally commanding presence, his breath catching slightly.

  He pretended to relax, straightened his expression, and spoke with feigned nonchalance. "Just a small business, really. Primarily selling our authentic South Lake 'pineapple cakes.' Currently, we have about 70 or so physical stores nationwide. A trivial venture, not worth mentioning."

  The words were ostensibly modest, but his tone couldn't conceal a hint of proud and show off.

  In response, Chris merely nodded slightly and said, "Oh, that is quite a small business indeed."

  Mr. Lawson's corners of his mouth, which had just turned up, froze involuntarily. He blinked as if wondering if he had heard correctly.

  Audrey turned her head away to hide the urge to laugh. Only Auntie Christine shot Chris a reproachful look, saying, "Mr. Lawson's business is certainly not small! Do you have any idea what 70 stores represent? He earns over a thousand Dollars a year!"

  This explanation from Auntie Christine made Mr. Lawson's lips curve upwards again. "It's fine, Auntie. People not in business don't grasp these concepts."

  Chris let out a soft chuckle, sitting up a little straighter. This subtle, instinctive movement carried a significant sense of oppression, causing Mr. Lawson to instinctively look at him, wariness returning to his gaze.

  Then, Chris said to him with a calm expression, "Let me offer you some friendly advice. Ms. Dorothy would not be interested in you. She didn't even take a liking to someone with my qualifications."

  This statement shocked everyone present.

  Audrey looked at Chris with a mix of astonishment and bewilderment, but he merely offered her a slight smile.

  Mr. Lawson frowned and asked hesitantly, "What do you mean by that? Are you also here for a... meeting?"

  Chris replied without changing his expression, speaking softly, "I'm not here for a meeting. I'm here to confess my feelings. I have admired Ms. Dorothy for a long time. This is already my third time confessing to her. She had just rejected me before you arrived."

  Upon hearing this, Mr. Lawson's face instantly darkened. But then, upon second thought, he scoffed in disdain. "She rejected you, but she hasn't rejected me. What you're saying is rather unreasonable, isn't it?"

  "Whether it's reasonable or not, let me analyze it for you," Chris said, extending one slender finger. "First, you're over 50, while I'm 40. I'm 184 tall. You are... less than 170 centimeters. In terms of age and appearance, I surpass you by a considerable margin. That should be an indisputable fact, correct?"

  Mr. Lawson was speechless. Auntie Christine, having regained her composure, spoke up in his defense. "You don't understand. Women prefer older men. Older men know how to cherish their partners. Besides, your age of 40 isn't suitable either; you're 5 years younger than Audrey!"

  Chris replied, "Older men are more prone to ending up bedridden. Ms. Dorothy has worked hard for half her life to finally raise her children. She certainly wouldn't want to turn around and have to care for an old man. I don't mean to imply Mr. Lawson is old, but you do look somewhat elderly. Not like 51, more like 67."

  "As for me being five years younger than Ms. Dorothy, well, isn't Mr. Lawson seven years older than her? Who says only men can find younger women? Can't women find younger men? I believe youth is my advantage. At the very least, I probably don't carry the risk of being bedridden in the near future, unless I accidentally have an allergic reaction again."