Chapter 687: Coming Storm (9) Lillian Collins
“I respect you very much, Miss Collins,” Oscar explained.
“What if I don’t want your respect?” Sarah asked, a smile playing on her lips as she watched his reaction.
“What? Are you afraid?” she laughed.
“I’m flattered,” Oscar admitted, his discomfort evident.
“Oscar, you’re handsome,” Sarah stated, her gaze unwavering. She had been fooled by Charles, once believing him the perfect husband. Now, she saw Oscar as far superior.
His discomfort grew under her scrutiny. He lowered his eyes. “I’m honored by your approval, Miss Collins.”
“I suddenly feel like giving you to…” Sarah trailed off, then abruptly changed her mind. “Forget it,” she said, turning and leaving.
Looking back after a distance, she saw Oscar standing alone. Before, she’d barely noticed him, only observing him due to her father's machinations. But now, he eclipsed the opulence of the feast; a striking figure in a neat suit. Perhaps, she mused, the other guests were simply older and less appealing.
Her thoughts turned to Hannah, to retaliation, to stealing her husband. The idea frightened her. Except for Charles, who had relentlessly pursued her, no other man had ever captivated her attention. Oscar Wells, she realized, was remarkably adept at captivating women. She forced the thought away.
Meanwhile, Lillian Collins, in a beautiful princess gown, walked slowly toward the birthday cake with Rowan. The three Collins children were known for their close relationship, and Rowan was known for his kindness to them. Everyone had gathered.
At twenty, Lillian possessed an innocent purity that captivated the room. Sarah felt a pang of jealousy, particularly noticing Oscar's gaze upon Lillian.
Lillian blew out the candles. The simple ceremony ended, and the crowd dispersed. Lillian, taking Rowan’s hand, thanked the guests before approaching Oscar.
“Happy birthday, Miss Collins,” Oscar said respectfully.
“You’re Oscar?” Lillian smiled.
“Do you know me?”
“My father and brother have spoken highly of you. They say you’re very capable, a rare talent.” Her appearance lent credibility to her words.
Oscar paused. “I’m not that remarkable, but thank you.”
“Oh, stop the modesty,” Rowan interjected, acutely aware of Oscar’s reaction and the effect Lillian had on men. The more successful a man, he knew, the more he’d appreciate such purity. “I need to attend to something. Oscar, please look after Lillian for me.”
“Right,” Oscar replied.
Some eyed them with hostility; many had long coveted the chance to court Lillian, Rowan Collins’ second daughter.
“You don’t seem to like talking much,” Lillian observed.
“No,” Oscar admitted. “I don’t know what to say. I’m afraid of upsetting you.”
“I’m different from my father, Matthew, and Sarah. You don’t need to be so respectful,” Lillian explained. “I don’t get involved in their careers.”
“Okay,” Oscar agreed, still seeming constrained.
Lillian noticed his hesitation. Her father’s request for her to spend time with Oscar was transparent, yet she was uninterested; she already had a boyfriend, whom she kept hidden from her family due to his lack of influence and her father's disapproval. However, Oscar surprised her, partly because he resembled someone she knew, and partly due to his striking features. She had considered her boyfriend the most handsome man she knew, until now.
She wouldn’t betray her boyfriend. Her interaction with Oscar was purely to appease her father; she felt only admiration, nothing more.
“Let’s go for a walk outside,” she suggested.
“Okay.”
They left the hall together. Sarah, watching from beside her father, felt a pang of resentment; Oscar’s treatment of Lillian seemed warmer.
“Sarah,” her father interrupted her brooding.
Snapping back to reality, Sarah blushed with embarrassment.
“What are you waiting for?” Rowan chided.
“I’m sorry,” she mumbled, hastily raising her glass in a toast, suppressing her irritation.
Outside in the garden, Lillian expressed her relief. “It’s so boring inside. I hate these birthday parties. If I weren’t turning twenty, I would have refused.”