True Fated Marriage (Grace and Heinz)
Chapter 1461

That night, they formed a group chat and planned out an itinerary.

Maria realized she had forgotten to ask Ernest to drive another car, so she called him in the middle of the night. "Ernest, can you please drive? I want to ride with Liam."

Ernest immediately figured out what Maria was planning. "Why? Are you afraid that we'd be third wheels?"

"Of course not." Maria denied, "I'm just afraid I'll feel claustrophobic in the car."

Ernest burst into laughter at Maria's reply. "Love does really make people stupid. That's a horrible excuse, Maria."

"Even if it was, you understand me, right? Will you do it?" Maria knew she wouldn't be able to deceive her cousin.

"Okay," Ernest answered very straightforwardly. "I'll drive tomorrow. We'll definitely give you and Liam some space, happy?" "Thanks, Ernest." After that, Maria quickly hung up the phone.

That night, she couldn't sleep.

Early the next day, Liam drove to see Ernest.

As soon as they met, Ernest stood by Liam's car as he smiled at him. The sly smirk in Ernest's eyes sent chills down Liam's spine.

Seeing that, Liam raised his eyebrow and asked, "What? Don't you recognize me anymore?"

"Of course not, Liam. You look positively glowing recently. Your smile's brighter too."

Liam wasn't annoyed by Ernest's tease but smiled as he said. "Looks like Maria has told you everything."

Ernest nodded and replied, "I see that congratulations are in order. Maria's a good girl, Liam."

She's smart and as stubborn as a mule, but that also means that she's faithful too. Honestly, Maria's a catch. Of course, I'm not saying this because she's my cousin. I've seen how infatuated she had been with you over the last four years."

Liam was slightly taken aback by Ernest's words. "You knew all along?"

"Of course I did." Ernest nodded as he chuckled. "It's literally as clear as day. However, it's up to the people involved to solve the problem. I can't interfere no matter how much I want to."

Liam nodded as he thought Ernest's words were true. He was a stubborn man, and no amount of convincing from other people would change his mind.

Tenderness flashed in his eyes as Liam thought of Maria, and it was very obvious.

"Seeing the way you are, I'm truly happy for you, Liam."

"Get in. How long are you planning on standing there, talking to me?" Liam gestured for Ernest to board the car.

"I'm not riding with you." Ernest smiled as he continued, "I'm to drive another car. Maria wants to be alone with you, so she wants me to fetch her friends so that we don't become third wheels."

Liam paused for a moment. Maria was very clever, but he couldn't stand Ernest teasing his girlfriend. "Well, that was my idea as well. I thought that she wouldn't agree to it."

"Liam, this is obviously Maria's idea. But I'm quite surprised that you're so protective of her." Ernest smiled sincerely. "I'm kind of envious seeing how well you two are getting along."

"Then go get yourself a girlfriend," Liam replied bluntly, "You're Ernest Jones. You can have any girl you want." "Not everything is within our grasp, Liam." Ernest said with a smile, "Feelings are the only thing that can't be forced."

Looking at him, Liam shot back a piece of advice. "Ernest, sometimes we get too carried away with one person and think that they're the one for us. We become single-minded, and we miss out on better things because of it."

Ernest paused for a moment. "Are you speaking from experience?"

Liam put on a knowing smile before he changed the topic. "I'll go pick Maria up now. Let's meet at the hotel, and we'll set off after we pick up her friend."

"Sure. I'll go pick up Leah and meet you at the hotel."

At the Lowe Villa.

Maria only fell asleep sometime around dawn, so the dark circles around her eyes were obvious when she woke up. However, she felt full of energy and boundless joy.

Being Liam's girlfriend made her extraordinarily happy. She flitted throughout the house like an ecstatic child.

Her happiness was contagious, and Zachary was absolutely astonished at his daughter's behavior. Thus, he whispered to Yvonne, "What's going on with Maria?"

"She's in love. She's blissful since she managed to capture Liam's heart and got her family's blessing," Yvonne replied.

Slightly taken aback, he smiled and said, "So that's what it is."

"Mhmm, falling in love sure feels great," Yvonne sighed deeply by Zachary's side. "Pity I wasted so many years thinking I did it for the greater good."

Zachary looked at his wife before he drew her into his embrace. Then, he whispered into her ear. "Are you hinting that we should go on a date soon to stoke the flames of our love?"

"Good that you know," Yvonne scoffed lightly in reply.

"Where did the baby in your belly come from if it wasn't out of love?"

Yvonne stared at him helplessly. She knew all along that their relationship was rock solid as they'd been together for so many years. Alas, the pregnancy hormones screwed with her emotions, so she couldn't help wanting to tease him.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" Zachary asked with a smile. "If you don't think I'm romantic enough, I can do better."

Yvonne shook her head. "No, thanks. Honestly, it's already good enough that you still look at me with so much passion after all these years, Zachary. I just feel upset and embarrassed that I'm pregnant." "Well, aren't you honest?" Zachary laughed in reply.

Yvonne laughed along with him. "Why shouldn't I? I'm getting on in my years, yet I have a bun in the oven. Our daughter's now in love, and she'll be married in a few years. How embarrassing would it be for our new son-in-law to have a sister or brother-in-law who's still barely out of their nappies?"

"If he dares to ridicule you, then he can kiss his dream of marrying Maria goodbye," Zachary replied in a domineering tone.

"That's not going to be a problem. Liam already found out about this yesterday, and he didn't seem too surprised to hear it." Maria jovially descended the stairs as she spoke.

"You actually told him?" Yvonne cried out in shock, "My God, how will I face him ever again?"

Maria shrugged and said. "Mommy, do all pregnant women like to freak out for no good reason?" Zachary's piercing gaze focused on Maria at once.

Hence, she waved her hand dismissively. "Ah, I'm going now. I'll get out of your way."

It just so happened Liam called Maria at that time. "Oh, he's here. I'm leaving."

Meanwhile, a maid brought two large lunch boxes over. "Miss Maria, Madam has instructed us to prepare some food for you and your friends to enjoy."

"For us?" Maria was surprised. "Mommy, you ask them to make this?"

"I knew you'd leave without eating breakfast. I assume Liam wouldn't either. You kids should realize how important breakfast is."

Yvonne understood her daughter very well; how could she not? "Go on, take the food with you. You kids can eat if you're hungry and there isn't a restaurant around." "Got it. Thanks, Mom and Dad." After that, Maria slung her backpack over her shoulder and brought the two lunch boxes with her as she walked out.

Meanwhile, Liam had arrived at her doorstep, and he hurriedly got out of the car when he saw her carrying a mountain of things.

"Why do you have so many things with you?" Liam asked as he took over the lunch boxes from her.

Maria looked at him and only found that he'd gotten even more handsome.

He was dressed very casually in a T- shirt and jacket with a pair of sunglasses and a baseball cap on his head.

Maria was rather shy to see Liam again after he'd asked her to be his girlfriend.

"My mom said we'd skip breakfast, so she had us bring these."

Liam was surprised upon hearing that.

"Have you had breakfast?" Maria turned back to look at him as she asked.

He shook his head.

"Me too." She said as she giggled, "Let's go to the car. You drive, and I'll feed you."

His gaze deepened, and an indescribable emotion surged within him. "Okay."

After he placed the lunch boxes in the car, Liam opened the passenger side door for her.

He was the perfect gentleman.

Maria beamed brightly at him before getting in. Her smiling face looked especially radiant in the morning sun; her skin was flawless, and her expression was joyful.

Liam lowered his head to look at her, smiling. His gaze deepened with affection beneath his sunglasses, and his breathing grew heavy.

"Thanks," Maria replied.

"Get in." Liam's voice was gentle as he spoke.

"Mm." Maria obediently got into the car only to realize Liam had also poked his head in.

His sudden appearance startled her.

He decisively leaned in and kissed her.

"Mmph!" Maria had no idea where to put her hands.

Clearly, Liam wasn't satisfied with just a kiss, but he tamped down his urges and let go of her. After that, he put on the seatbelt for her.

On the other hand, Maria ducked her head, refused to look at him.

Liam then kissed her forehead before he closed the door and started the engine.

Meanwhile, Yvonne was spying on the two of them with a pair of binoculars from the second-floor window of the villa. Then, she said to Zachary, "They're so in love. Looks like Liam treats Maria very well." Zachary sneered coldly as he stood beside her. "Does he dare not to?"

Yvonne glanced at her husband in exasperation. "Sure, be jealous. Zachary, be honest, are you scared of losing Maria?"

Zachary did not reply.

However, she knew that his answer was a solid yes.

Most men babied their daughters. Heinz was a perfect example; he doted on Sylvia to no end.

With that thought, she thought her husband's protectiveness was rather normal.

Then, she continued to look through the binoculars at Liam and Maria.

"Liam opened the car door for Maria and fastened the seat belt for her. When he saw her with so many things in her arms, he immediately came forward to take them. You see, the boy is at least a gentleman, and he knows how to take care of her."

Zachary snorted again, showing his disapproval.

"C'mon, stop snorting." Yvonne seemed excited as she continued, "I think it's great. If a guy doesn't love the girl, the relationship won't last no matter how hard she tries. The most important thing is that your lover is kind. If not, you can't keep a relationship going all alone."