Obviously, It's My Child - Chapter 220
William shrugged and handed over a business card. Claire took it and was slightly surprised.
“William Shore… did you change your name?”
“I found that having the Prescott name was often more of a hindrance. Please keep this a secret. Not that I’m asking you to keep it from the Duke.”
“Alright.”
Knowing about William’s family situation, Claire nodded in understanding.
After all, inheritance issues in a family with many sons are always complicated.
Realizing something, Claire extended her hand to him. William grabbed it firmly and shook it.
The butler took Claire’s hat and coat, and in the meantime, Joanna prepared tea for her.
“Didn’t you say you were busy? I can wait if needed.”
“I just met with a few people from a textile shop. A friend I hadn’t heard from in years showed up, it wasn’t anything too important.”
“I don’t think I’m in any position to say you’ve changed. Honestly, I’ve thought of you every time I needed money. If I had known this would happen, I should’ve just proposed eight years ago with no hesitation.”
Thinking he was joking, Claire laughed it off.
“I was actually wondering why you didn’t propose. You said you wanted to marry a woman with a title and live the life of a lazy husband.”
“Whoa! Are you threatening my life right now?”
Claire smiled awkwardly, realizing William was looking at her with a subtly nervous expression.
“Why? Are you worried that Erich might actually throw a punch just because I made a joke?”
“Well, actually, I was a little surprised. Honestly.”
William shook his head.
“If you’d managed to hold out this long, I thought for sure you’d keep rejecting me.”
“Well, there were various reasons.”
Claire said vaguely as she lifted her teacup.
“I was surprised you had a child. In the end, it was the Duke who won the battle of pride and ended up playing the role of your illicit lover for five years, wasn’t it?”
Claire felt a little embarrassed.
“Don’t people usually say the opposite?”
“I know you. One person wants to marry, the other doesn’t, so it’s clear who didn’t allow the marriage vows.”
“Haha.”
“That’s why I don’t really believe the rumors.”
William said in a slightly lowered voice, but the fact that he even brought it up meant that he was concerned about them.
Claire felt uneasy.
What should she do? Should she lie and say she gave birth to him?
Unlike others who only care that Elliott is Erich’s son, William was her friend.
At least in front of Joanna, she couldn’t speak the truth. And this was something she couldn’t decide alone.
“Whatever you think, there was nothing unjust about it. Even if it seemed unjust, everything was agreed upon the moment I signed the marriage contract.”
She had just managed to come up with an answer when…
William’s gaze softened.
“Is it true… that Elissa is dead?”
“Yes.”
Claire sighed, realizing she couldn’t avoid answering.
William knew Elissa. He had visited Claire’s house from time to time, and they got along well.
“Five years ago?”
“About that.”
Claire answered uncomfortably.
William, being intelligent and knowing both her and Elissa, must have already deduced a lot from just that.
“I wish I had contacted you earlier. I couldn’t even attend the funeral.”
William said in a regretful tone.
“Mom? Mom’s here?!”
The sound of small footsteps running down the hallway was heard.
Claire thought the child would burst through the door, but Elliott didn’t.
Thud.
There was a sound of him bumping into the door, but no crying followed.
A moment later, the nanny gently opened the door.
“Hello. This is Elliott of Klausener.”
Elliott entered with calm steps, bowing like a young gentleman.
Of course, his knees didn’t straighten properly, and his body bent in a gesture like when he greets with a bow.
Claire smiled.
All her complex thoughts and worries faded the moment she saw Elliott’s face. As always, nothing else seemed important.
William gently smiled and stood up to greet Elliott.
“I’m William. It’s an honor to meet you, Sir Elliot.”
“Hehe.”
Elliot looked up, his eyes lighting up when he saw William.
“Oh, Captain Hook?!”
William looked at the child with a puzzled expression.
Claire thought it was because Elliott resembled Erich, but William was thinking something else.
‘Could Altmayer’s words be true?’
It’s strange how children resemble their blood relatives.
Elliott’s face looked exactly like Erich’s, yet William could still spot Elissa’s face there.
* * *
If it were any other day, Erich would be greeted loudly upon his return. Elliott would rush out to the garden, greeting him like a puppy.
But today, there was no such greeting ceremony, and Erich asked in confusion.
“Is there a guest?”
“Yes. A former friend of Madam has come to visit.”
“An old friend?”
Erich took off his coat and headed straight to the sitting room. He wouldn’t expect an old friend to be in the northern region, especially in Ludendorff.
The butler opened the door to the sitting room.
“Really! So Peter Pan was, oh, Dad’s here!”
Elliott, who had been chatting while sitting on the unfamiliar man’s lap, jumped down and ran toward Erich.
“Dad! Captain Hook is here!”
“Captain Hook?”
Erich asked as he picked Elliot up. He then looked at the man.
The man looked like a sailor, and now it made sense why Elliott called him Captain Hook.
But this was Claire’s old friend?
It took Erich a moment to recognize who the man was.
“Could it be… William?”
He asked, doubting his eyes. Claire laughed while tapping the armrest of the sofa.
William smiled.
“You recognize me. I thought you might not remember since it’s been so long.”
“You’ve been… in very good health.”
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