Chapter 1642 - 1593: Drunken Sweet Talk (Part 3)

Marcus Quinn worked quickly, preparing ten dishes and four cold plates: Pineapple Roasted Duck, Peach Almond Winter Mushroom, Shrimp and Bamboo Shoots, and Oil-Seared Cucumber Dragon. The hot dishes included Steamed Chicken with Straw Mushrooms, Steamed Golden Thread Fish, Braised Meatballs, Lotus Leaf Scented Steak, along with Matsutake Mushroom and Fish Maw Soup, Vegetarian Dumpling Snacks, and a seasonal fruit platter.

Once the dishes were served, everyone was salivating at the sight, even Atan’s stomach growled with hunger, as she hadn’t eaten these dishes much before.

"Sage, don’t keep your Maotai liquor hidden, bring it out now. Such good food can’t be enjoyed without wine!" Uncle Lu teased with a smile.

"Dad, are you drinking the wine saved for your son’s wedding?" Yeats Howard exclaimed dramatically.

"You rascal, who knows when you’ll get married. I’d rather drink Marcus Quinn’s wedding wine first." Sage Howard responded with a playful scold.

The group sat at the table, opened the wine, and happily enjoyed the meal, reminiscing.

Marcus Quinn introduced Atan to everyone, and only then did Atan learn that besides the Howard Family in politics, the Lu Family in commerce, and the Luu Family in the military, the Howard Family was the most powerful.

The men chatted over drinks, discussing past events, and Atan listened on the side. After they finished talking about the past, they inadvertently started discussing some political affairs. Not only Atan but even Yeats Howard dared not crack jokes.

The meal lasted late into the night before the gathering dispersed. Marcus Quinn had drunk quite a bit; after sending the guests off, he closed the door, his eyes shining as he looked at Atan, who stayed up with him. He hugged her and said hoarsely, "Are you tired?"

"Not tired." Atan shook her head, tiptoeing like a little hamster to inhale the scent of wine from him. Marcus Quinn had drunk quite a bit tonight, though she let him drink on her behalf. Yet, the man only carried a faint wine aroma.

Atan leaned closer, the half-drunken man’s breathing became a bit irregular, as he held onto her delicate shoulder and hoarsely asked, "What are you smelling? Is the wine scent strong?"

"Not strong." Atan considered it might be because of good wine, which wasn’t pungent. Pulling him inside, she asked, "When are we going back to the Holiday Village?"

Though Marcus Quinn had drunk a lot, he was only half-drunk at most. Leaning on Atan’s delicate shoulder, he slightly embraced her and said hoarsely, "Don’t you like staying in the Imperial City?"

"It feels a bit unreal; all your uncles have significant backgrounds. You don’t seem like the Marcus Quinn in my memory." Atan wrinkled her nose and said.

Marcus Quinn laughed softly, hugged her, kissed her forehead, and said, "I’m always myself; my heart for Atan will never change in this lifetime."

Atan was genuinely surprised that this man, after getting drunk, started speaking romantic words, her mouth opened wide in shock. A few seconds later, she blushed and spoke coquettishly, "You’d better go take a bath, you smell of wine."

Marcus Quinn felt slightly aggrieved at being disdainfully treated; she clearly said the wine scent wasn’t strong before.

The man pressed her for two more kisses before heading to shower.

Atan covered her flushed face, blinking her large eyes, thinking that a rugged man speaking romantic words was too powerful; her heart was pounding wildly.

Perhaps because he drank too much, the man changed the distinct boundary he kept with her at night, hugging her possessively in his arms and slept side by side. Atan felt as though she was scorched by a stove all night, not daring to move.

The next day, they leisurely strolled around shopping for wedding items, and on the third day, Yeats Howard dressed stylishly to come over, urging the couple to quickly buy outfits. Only then did Atan learn that Yeats Howard was taking them to attend the Shaw Family’s engagement party.

"You have connections with the Shaw Family as well?" Atan asked Marcus Quinn curiously. When she heard about the Shaw Family’s engagement party, a bit of peculiarity flashed in her mind, but she didn’t delve into it.

"There’s not really any deep connection; just something needs attending there. At the engagement party, people from my father’s side should also be present." Marcus Quinn replied nonchalantly, glancing at Atan’s attire. When buying the diamond ring earlier, several outfits were purchased, though not gowns, the quality and style were excellent and didn’t require a gown.

Atan nodded upon hearing this, secretly went to find clothes. Marcus Quinn had generally mentioned things about his father’s side, and since they would encounter them, she couldn’t lose to them in demeanor.

In truth, Marcus Quinn mentioning the Duncan Family was merely an excuse; the real purpose today was taking Atan to meet Caspian Yarn.

Should Caspian Yarn indeed have issues, Marcus Quinn couldn’t bear to see Shaw Family’s Miss fall into a pit. Who knows what reaction Caspian Yarn would have when he sees the living Atan!