Mr. Pretentious: Miss Valerius, He is Begging for a Title-Chapter 2: Calling Master Ford in Public, Settling Accounts in Private

Chapter 2: Chapter 2: Calling Master Ford in Public, Settling Accounts in Private
Eleanor Valerius felt uneasy, not expecting to meet again so soon after last night.
The embarrassing soreness still lingered on her body, and the kiss marks all over were concealed by clothing.
As she approached, the car window suddenly rolled up.
Sebastian Ford drove away directly.
Instantly, the surrounding mocking laughter was unabashed.
"What status do you have to want to speak with Third Master? Truly ridiculous."
"It’s our Ford Family’s banquet, don’t know why outsiders come here to lose face."
Eleanor lowered her gaze but quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
Ensuring Sebastian didn’t know she was the woman from last night was actually a good thing.
She had to protect herself and didn’t want to become a pawn in power and lust transactions, so she must plan cautiously to break off the engagement.
Sebastian was merely her last resort.
But he definitely wouldn’t protect her just because they slept together.
She still didn’t have enough confidence to provoke him; otherwise, with his personality, he might be the first to come and kill her.
Eleanor entered the old mansion alongside her mother.
Coincidentally, Jenson Lancaster was also led in by the servants.
"Jenson is your fiancé, so of course, he should attend the Ford Family banquet with you."
Regina Jennings knew how to seize opportunities.
Taking seats before the banquet began.
The table arrangement for the family banquet was based on status and rank.
Mr. Ford sat at the main seat, and the most important position to the right was still vacant.
Originally, Jenson Lancaster was delighted to hear he could come to the Ford Family, but ended up sitting at the far corner with an exceptionally grim face.
He endured humiliation and didn’t break off the engagement, just wanting to use the Valerius Family’s connections to flatter the Ford Family.
"Is this the treatment your family gives? Sitting with the servants."
Eleanor did not deny it.
Her foster father Ethan Valerius was Mr. Ford’s foster son, Regina Jennings remarried him, and the two didn’t have children, so Ethan Valerius raised the three daughters Regina brought under his name. The Ford Family also respectfully addressed Ethan Valerius as Master Valerius, considering him an offshoot. But he passed away several years ago, leaving Regina Jennings as his widow.
For old times’ sake, the Ford Family retained the Valerius Family, and Sebastian, who was only 7 years older than her, became her nominal uncle.
But the Valerius Family’s status in the Ford Family was even lower than outsiders’.
The banquet was delayed in starting.
The table was laden with delicacies, but Mr. Ford was waiting, and none dared to move their chopsticks.
Contrarily, today’s protagonist, Sebastian, arrived late.
"Go get Third Master again."
The Ford Family’s eldest miss, Sophia Ford, urged.
Despite being a daughter, she remained ambitious; even her marriage had her husband join the family, and she bore a son and daughter with the Ford surname.
"Our own people find it difficult to see him even once."
Second Master Ford, Byron Ford, was known for being the smiling tiger who could read the situation.
"Not seen for three years, Eldest Sister and Second Brother miss me so much?"
Sebastian strode in with long legs.
Standing at a height of 1.90 meters, dressed in a black shirt and black trousers, his tall and outstanding figure instantly drew the room’s attention.
"Dad, handling some matters made me late."
Sebastian sat in the seat beside Mr. Ford, one position below, yet far above.
Seeing him sit down, Mr. Ford then picked up his chopsticks.
"Sebastian, these past three years you’ve worked hard abroad managing the Ford Family’s business, now the big power in Aethelgard is also handed back to you."
Sebastian’s return made the eldest miss and second master of the Ford Family feel as if facing an enemy.
Eleanor watched Sebastian from afar.
In Aethelgard, he had the nickname The Reaper, yet he had a face beautiful as a deity, with deep, dark eyes carrying an enchanting allure. His nose was high and straight, thin lips lightly pursed with a bit of cold and fierce smile, like a king looking down on the world.
A man as domineering and terrifying as him was even more frightening in bed.
Eleanor withdrew her gaze.
Suddenly, a hot and dangerous gaze fixated on her.
During the family banquet, there was flattery.
"Third Master, did you find any treasure at last night’s auction satisfying?"
Sebastian seemed to savor, "There was one piece, quite enjoyable to play with."
"Old Third, you didn’t return to the Ford Family to sleep last night, did you?"
The second master’s words carried a probing hint.
"I returned home and immediately was hosted with a grand gift, so naturally, I had to personally inspect it."
Sebastian’s deep voice carried a hint of laughter into her ears.
Eleanor felt uncomfortable and subconsciously thought of last night’s personal hosting, making her face a bit hot.
Maybe she overthought.
He hadn’t recognized her at all.
"I heard the Ford Family has good news recently?"
Sebastian asked casually.
No one acknowledged.
"There is good news." Regina Jennings suddenly stood up, smiling charmingly, "It’s the engagement of Eleanor and Jenson, Sebastian just returned, let the juniors serve you tea."
Eleanor’s brow jumped, this was not good news.
Beside her, Jenson was quite excited, finally waiting for the chance to meet Third Master Ford.
Sebastian lounged lazily against his seat, his mischievous eyes squinted, revealing no emotions easily.
Eleanor lowered her eyes, barely daring to breathe.
Both of them held tea, simultaneously offering it.
Sebastian did not accept.
"Call out."
Jenson took the chance to call, "Little uncle, I’m from the Lancaster..."
"Did I let you call?"
Sebastian casually rebuffed, his tone full of pressure.
If not wanting Jenson to call, then it was her.
Eleanor froze, remembering he seemed to have said this last night.
She didn’t want to lose her composure, took a deep breath, and softly called, "Little uncle, have some tea."
Sebastian seemed not to hear, touching his left ear, his voice suddenly cold and fierce, "Speak louder!"
His action held everyone’s breath.
Because his left ear had impaired hearing, requiring a hearing aid.
This supposed disability had been transformed into a terrifying implication through Sebastian’s sinister methods.
When he removed the hearing aid, even gods and Buddhas could offer no salvation.
At that moment, Eleanor’s hands trembled slightly.
Others felt fear, she did too.
She vividly remembered it was a command he spoke to her last night.
As expected, Sebastian was testing her!?
Eleanor slowly lifted her gaze, unable to fathom the dark abyss within Sebastian’s eyes.
She kneeled down, shifting from looking down to looking up at him in a submissive posture, her voice not loud, but soft enough.
She called, "Little uncle, please have tea."
Her obedient and docile demeanor resembled a prey trapped voluntarily in Sebastian’s eyes.
Sebastian accepted her teacup and sipped, his smile emerged, more chilling than his anger.
"Since it’s the Ford Family’s celebration, I’ll prepare a grand gift for you."
The family banquet had not ended yet.
Eleanor was pulled aside by Regina Jennings, a dance dress placed in her hands.
"Make the most of today while Mr. Ford focuses on your marriage, later perform a dance, show your best."
"Got it, mom."
Beneath Eleanor’s smile lay intense disgust.
Her mother cultivated her in instruments, chess, singing, and dancing, all to be showcased as the perfect commodity.
She loathed each and every show where she was evaluated, saying she was good, saying she was pretty, her assessment relying on whether men fancied her. Chained by gilded shackles, she was simply a pet in high society circles.
Eleanor changed clothes in the restroom.
Suddenly, large hands traced her bare, flawless back.
Eleanor turned around in horror, those wicked hands pinching her wounds from last night, causing her to involuntarily cry out in pain.
Realizing the man standing before her, sheer terror engulfed her.
"Little uncle..."
Sebastian’s towering frame closed in, leaving Eleanor with no escape.
"Ran away so fast last night, today pretending amnesia, your playing hard to get tactics are far better than your performance in bed."
He examined her dominantly, his palm pressed against her delicate body, as if reliving each moment he’d occupied her.
Then, he gripped her slender neck with one hand, slowly increasing the force.
"Who sent you to plot against me? Little niece."
Suddenly, Eleanor felt the suffocating fear of death.
Was Sebastian intending to kill her?