Chapter 55: Mr. Lover, Am I Beautiful?
While Audrey was immersed in the immense shock brought by oliver twist, Nairn simply sipped his wine in silence, admiring the series of complex and vivid expressions shifting across her face.
From initial curiosity to shock, then to compassion, and finally transforming into a heavy sense of mission.
The seed had been planted.
This story would become an unexpected and powerful weapon in Audrey's hands.
When those pampered noble ladies at their afternoon tea parties discussed Oliver's tragic fate while shedding tears of sympathy, they would also unconsciously begin to wonder: what caused all of this?
And what role did their husbands—those high-ranking Members of Parliament and officials—play in it?
Public opinion was being guided silently in this way.
"I... I will," Audrey looked up, solemnly putting away the manuscript as if it were some precious holy relic. "I will make sure everyone hears Oliver's story."
"I believe in you," Nairn said with a smile.
He looked out the window; the play was drawing to a close. Tonight's meeting should also come to a perfect conclusion.
After the serious discussion, the atmosphere in the box returned to a subtle tranquility once more. Candlelight flickered, the aroma of wine drifted, and the melodious music of the finale drifted up from the stage.
Audrey's heart, however, was beating even faster than when they were discussing the "Open Scheme."
She looked at the man opposite her. He leaned elegantly against the back of his chair, the dim light casting deep shadows across his handsome profile.
There was a strange sense of contradiction about him—both the depth of a master strategist and the gentle wit he showed when talking to her.
For her, this contradiction was a fatal attraction.
A thought emerged uncontrollably from the depths of her heart. A bold, even somewhat out-of-line thought.
She wanted to know, in the eyes of this all-knowing, all-seeing "Mr. Lover," what kind of existence was she, exactly?
Was she merely a useful symbol of "Justice"? Or... Her cheeks began to burn again, and her palms grew damp with sweat.
Should she ask?
Would it be too abrupt? Too unladylike?
But if she missed today, she didn't know if she would ever have the courage to ask this question again.
The inner struggle was like two fawns fighting. Ultimately, the young girl's search for self-worth and her longing for recognition from the person before her triumphed over the reserve of a noble lady.
She took a deep breath, as if summoning every ounce of her strength, and looked up, staring directly into Nairn's eyes.
Those emerald-green eyes, like the clearest lake water, were now filled with tension, expectation, and a touch of reckless courage.
"Mr. Lover..."
Her voice was very soft, carrying a trace of imperceptible trembling.
"Yes?" Nairn looked at her, an inquisitive look in his eyes. He had sensed the change in her emotions.
"In... in your eyes..." Audrey's lips moved, and she finally asked the question that had been circling for so long, "Am I... am I beautiful?"
The moment she asked, she felt her heart nearly leap out of her throat. Her entire face flushed crimson instantly, and even the tips of her ears felt like they were burning.
She didn't even dare to look into Nairn's eyes anymore, instinctively wanting to lower her head.
Oh heavens, what am I doing! This is... this is just like a little fool desperate for love!
Nairn was indeed momentarily stunned by the question.
He had expected they would talk about many things—plans, Beyonders, the global situation—but he truly hadn't expected this Miss "Justice" to suddenly ask such a blunt and... personal question.
He looked at her, appearing so embarrassed she seemed ready to crawl under the table, and saw the purest vulnerability and courage of a young girl.
In this moment, she wasn't Miss "Justice," nor was she Count Hall's daughter; she was just Audrey.
An ordinary girl longing for affirmation from the person she admired.
For no reason, Nairn's heart softened slightly.
If he only wanted to treat her as a tool or a pawn, he had ten thousand standard answers he could give.
"You of course are very beautiful, like a rose in the morning light."
"Your beauty is enough to make all gems pale in comparison."
These flowery yet empty words would be enough to make any noble lady's heart soar.
But Nairn didn't want to do that.
Because that would be too boring.
And because, after seeing the light shimmering in her eyes when she asked that question, he felt she deserved a more special answer, one that belonged only to her.
He did not answer immediately, instead remaining silent for a moment.
This brief silence felt as long as a century to Audrey. She felt her heart sinking bit by bit.
Does he think I'm too frivolous? Is he... thinking of how to reject me politely?
Just as she was about to fall into despair, Nairn suddenly smiled.
He leaned forward slightly, closing the distance between them. Those deep eyes focused on her as if she were the only person left in the entire world.
Then, in a low, clear voice that carried a hint of playfulness yet was incredibly serious, he spoke slowly:
"In my homeland, there is an ancient saying: 'He who calls you beautiful is either partial to you, biased toward you, or seeks something from you.'"
Audrey didn't understand the meaning of this strangely pronounced sentence at all; she looked at him blankly.
Nairn explained patiently, "It means that those who praise your beauty are either those who admire you, and thus see everything about you as good; those who have a personal connection with you and are biased; or those who want something from you and use sweet words to flatter you."
Hearing this explanation, Audrey's heart sank abruptly.
Is he... is he saying that all praise for me is unpure? Is that how he sees me too?
The light in her eyes dimmed visibly.
However, Nairn's next words made her world spin instantly.
"So..."
He looked at her disappointed gaze, the smile at the corners of his mouth deepening, while his eyes were filled with unprecedented sincerity and appreciation.
"Miss Hall, you ask me if you are beautiful..."
Nairn leaned forward slightly, closing the distance between them further. His voice dropped even lower, carrying a hint of soul-stirring magnetism.
"My answer is that I cannot evaluate you objectively. Because..."
"I am partial to you, and I also have something to ask of you."
When Nairn said the words "I am partial to you, and I also have something to ask of you," Audrey felt her brain go "buzz," turning into a complete blank instantly.
Her entire body froze like an exquisite statue struck by a petrification spell. Only her emerald-green eyes widened slightly in extreme shock, clearly reflecting Nairn's face—so close at hand and wearing a gentle smile.
Partial to you... have something to ask of you... These simple words echoed, combined, and exploded in her mind repeatedly, finally merging into a display of fireworks as brilliant as could be.
Is... is this... is he responding to my question?
No, this had already gone far beyond the scope of the question!
Audrey was completely dazed. She stared at Nairn's smiling eyes with her mouth slightly open, unable to say a single word.
The blush on her face had already spread from her cheeks to her neck; she felt as if her entire being was about to catch fire.
On the stage, the play came to an end amidst grand music.
Thunderous applause rang out once more, but Audrey could no longer hear anything.
In her world, only Nairn's final sentence remained, echoing over and over again.