Ellinor was a bit annoyed to find that Bartlett was still around.
âWhy is Mr. Rex still here? I thought youâd have left by now.â
Bartlett chuckled. âTrying to get rid of me again? Didnât we agree to have dinner together?â
Seeing that it was already five in the afternoon, he continued, âItâs almost time for dinner. Shall we go?â
Ellinor pulled a face. When did she agree to that?
Byran, who was tired from his gaming, chimed in. âBartlett, youâre having-dinner with my sister? Why not join us? I was planning on going out for dinner with Ida.â
Ida stood by Ellinorâs side, not saying a word.
Bartlett smiled. âSure. The more/the merrier. What do you think, Ellinor?â
Ellinor frowned. âYou guys, go ahead. I need to pick up my kids from kindergarten.â
L Bartlett replied with a smile. âWe can accompany you to pick up your kids and then go for dinner. How about it?â
Ellinor was about to refuse when Byran cut in. âSounds great! I miss my niece and nephews. Sis, bring the kids and have dinner with us. We can go home after dinner.â
Ellinor fell silent.
She turned around and asked Ida, âWhat about you, Ida?â
Ida didnât hide her thoughts. âI havenât had dinner with you for quite some time.â
Ellinor understood Idaâs meaning. Ever since she moved to the Blanchet Villa with the kids, she hadnât had a meal with Ida and Chase.
After thinking about it for a bit, she nodded in agreement. âLetâs go pick up the kids together.â
A smile appeared on Idaâs usually cold face.
Byran caught a glimpse of her expression, and a soft look crossed his eyes.
Since they had to pick up the kids, one car would not be enough. So, Ellinor and Byran each drove their own cars, only swapping passengers.
Ellinor signaled Ida to join her in her car, letting Bartlett ride with Byran.
Ida didnât object, and neither did Bartlett. After all, they would all be together for dinner.
The only person who objected was Byran. He wanted Ida in his car, afraid she would bail.
But then he realized that it seemed like Ida was looking forward to having dinner with Ellinor. She probably wouldnât bail. With that, he obediently followed his sisterâs arrangement.
Once they were in the cars, Ellinor drove towards the kidsâ kindergarten. Suddenly, she remembered something. âIda, call Chase and invite him too.â
Ida had the same idea and dialed Chaseâs number.
The call took a while to be answered.
âHello, where are you?â
Chaseâs tone sounded unusually formal. âIâm having dinner with my girlfriendâs parents. Whatâs up?â
Girlfriendâs parents? Ida scrunched her eyebrows. âWhich girlfriend?â
Chase cleared his throat. âRight! Yeah, what is it?â
Ida was confused. What was that guy up to today?
Realizing that it wasnât convenient for Chase to talk, Ida didnât probe further. She just stated her intention. âBoss and I are about to pick up the kids and go for dinner. Do you want to join?â
Chase paused for a few seconds. âRight now?â