Chapter 87: Counterproductive

Actually, these words were also the result of her consideration. Rather than confronting aggressively, it’s better to take a step back for peace. When the right time comes in the future, she will find an opportunity to return the ring to him. For now, it’s best to let him be at ease and avoid further trouble. William Foster clearly breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this. The tension on his face vanished instantly, and his voice softened like a feather brushing against the ear, even with a hint of playfulness: "Thank you, dear wife, for being merciful!" Clara Bennett snorted, her lips curled slightly, but she pretended to glare at him seriously: "William, I’ve warned you repeatedly, you almost messed up our chance to register just now!" Though her tone was stern, there was no blame in her eyes, rather a sense of teasing. This kind of interaction mode made her seem more genuine and adorable. William naturally heard the implied meaning in her words and immediately leaned closer, gently grazing her fingertips, his tone gentle and determined: "Sweet Clara, I absolutely won’t make the same mistake again." His voice carried a trace of affection, making it exceptionally reassuring. However, Clara obviously didn’t intend to continue this topic. She rolled her eyes, her tone returning to its usual indifference, yet mixed with some disdain: "Alright, stop wasting time and go get the gifts ready. It’s annoying, my clothes got dirty." Although her words were filled with complaints, from her expression, she didn’t seem truly angry but rather conveyed a sense of closeness. William responded in a soft voice, as gentle and pleasant as a murmuring stream: "I’ve already prepared new clothes for you to change into upstairs. I’ll ask Arthur to get the other things, okay?" As he spoke, he closely watched her expression changes, as if waiting for a result that could satisfy him. This focus and attentiveness naturally elicited a sense of warmth. "Alright." Clara nodded slightly, her expression calm but carrying a hint of interest, "And let me see how the proposal venue is arranged." Her tone was casual, as if she was just mentioning it offhandedly, but there was a glint of curiosity in her eyes. William seemed taken aback for a moment hearing this. He raised his eyebrows, his lips slightly curved, revealing a somewhat teasing smile: "Want to see? I thought you’d be too angry to care." His voice was deep and gentle, carrying a hint of probing. Clara lightly pouted, crossed her arms, exhibiting a "you underestimate me" expression. "After spending so much money, is there any reason not to see?" She blinked, her tone carrying a bit of complaint and teasing, "I’m quite curious to see what kind of spectacle this merchant can pull off with these bizarre things." The two didn’t say much, returning to the floor where they took photos earlier. Clara changed her clothes, tidied up her appearance a bit, and finally walked to the area arranged for the proposal scene. Her pace slowed as she surveyed the surroundings, her gaze swept over the meticulously arranged decorations, silently marveling at them. In actuality, the routine was still the familiar tropes, bands playing elegant tunes. Dancers moved gracefully, their garments fluttering. Flowers, wine, and desserts were arranged neatly; every detail was crafted exquisitely. Though these are old-fashioned romantic tricks, it’s undeniable they still possess unique charm. The reason these things remain timeless probably lies in their ability to touch the softest parts of people’s hearts. Honestly speaking, this traditional romantic atmosphere does have its allure, never truly going out of style. No matter the era, such scenes can always evoke thoughts of dreamy love stories. Nonetheless, Clara had another plan in mind, though she didn’t say it outright. In her previous life, she never experienced a similar proposal ceremony; life then was bland and devoid of romance. But in this life, she had the chance to witness such a grand performance firsthand. She had resolved long ago that in this lifetime she wouldn’t easily step into the realm of emotions, and the agreement marriage with William Foster would likely be her only encounter with the concept of "marriage." Clara took advantage of a moment when no one was paying attention to sneak a glance at William Foster beside her. He stood there, as upright as pine, revealing steadiness and composure between his brows. Despite the lack of real emotional entanglement between them, she couldn’t help but silently appraise him: Not bad. She thought to herself, rather than getting caught up in complex emotional entanglement, it would be better to choose a relationship this clean and simple. When the agreement ends in the future, they can peacefully part ways, and she could explain to her family that this experience made her see reality clearly, feeling that dating again is too much trouble. This way, it’s both reasonable and simple, without anyone feeling burdened. Yes, this is indeed a good choice. "How is it?" While Clara’s thoughts drifted far, William Foster came out of the restaurant and looked at her, asking. His voice was deep and crisp, with a gentle and focused gaze. Clara quickly pulled back her thoughts, met his eyes, and replied candidly: "It’s alright. Maybe only those who truly desire marriage would be moved to tears; for me, it doesn’t evoke any special feelings." Her tone was as calm as water, displaying great sincerity. It really was the truth. Such an exceedingly romantic scene ultimately relies on deep emotional support to reveal its stunning effect. But for Clara, lacking that crucial emotional investment meant she couldn’t resonate much. To her, the scene before her seemed more like a visual feast, more of a dramatic presentation emphasizing form over content. William Foster chuckled slightly, carrying a hint of cunning and warmth in his smile: "How about I give you another one—" "Stop!" Clara almost immediately raised her voice, her tone showing some impatience. Clara cut him off unceremoniously, speaking bluntly: "Don’t do these flashy things, okay? I already told you, I’m not interested." She frowned slightly, her tone firm, evidently having made up her mind. William originally wanted to explain that this time would be a genuine surprise, different from the previous jokes, but he reconsidered. He realized if he continued to mess around, it might backfire. If things went on like this, not only would today’s plan be ruined, it might even affect bigger things. Like failing to get their marriage certificate. The two had just walked out the door when a mild breeze greeted them. Clara tugged on her coat but discovered she might have left her phone in the changing room. Her brow furrowed gently, her fingers habitually reaching for pockets but finding nothing.