Hugh's words left Claudia feeling awkward.
Though she'd only known him for a few months, she had no doubts about his character.
Besides, she and Hawley had truly hit it off.
Hawley called her godmother, so her addressing Hugh as 'Mr. Ferguson' did feel a bit distant.
But Hugh was a calm, polite, and thoroughly proper man.
She could joke with Rock Sayer, calling him Six without a second thought.
She could bicker with Cyrus Grant, easily switching between 'Mr. Cyrus' and 'Uncle.'
But with Hugh, she just couldn't bring herself to be so casual.
Claudia hesitated for a long moment, unsure of what to say.
After posing the question, Hugh had returned to elegantly cutting his steak, saying nothing more.
The atmosphere grew strangely tense.
Claudia forced herself to speak. "Perhaps… I should just keep calling you Mr. Ferguson?"
Hugh set down his knife and fork and smiled. "It was just a passing thought, Dr. Watkins. Please don't take it to heart."
Claudia tightened her grip on her water glass.
This man spoke in riddles. It took some serious mental effort to keep up with him.
Claudia replied politely, "You have a point, Mr. Ferguson. I'll give it some serious thought."
These powerful men were all valuable connections; she really needed to cultivate good relationships with them.
If all else failed, maybe she could just gather Mr. Cyrus and Rock, find a few more people, and make some kind of pact.
Anyone older would be her brother.
Anyone younger would be her brother, too.
And all her brothers would look out for her.
Hugh suddenly spoke up. "Dr. Watkins, you weren't thinking of making a pact to become siblings with me, were you?"
"Pfft—" Claudia nearly choked on a mouthful of water.


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