As soon as Louisa finished speaking, Kenneth quickly interjected, âHold up, hold up. The kidâs gotten used to the chefâs cooking. Besides, the chef knows all about nutritional balance. Theyâve got so much on their plate these days. They need all the nutrients they can get. And they certainly hope that at your age, you should be sitting back and enjoying the easy life.â
âAre you saying my cooking is not up to scratch?â Louisa suddenly asked.
âNo, not at all, my dear. Even if you burned it to a crisp, Iâd still find it delicious! After all, itâs made with your hard work.â
âCut it out, you!â Louisa playfully swatted him, âFlatterer.â
Kenneth chuckled, âLove is blind.â
âOh, please, whatâs love got to do with it.â
The family chatted and laughed together for a while before Louisa remembered a new gadget she had bought - a massage hammer.
âBella, let me give you a shoulder rub. Your aunt told me youâve been really busy at Dawnstar.â
Even though Louisa didnât fully grasp what was keeping her daughter so occupied, or the dangers she might be facing, the concern in Euniceâs voice made her want to tend to her daughterâs weary shoulders.
âHoney, let me give you a massage too.â Kenneth also started kneading Louisaâs shoulders, âYouâve been cooking up a storm, and you must be exhausted.â
Romeo watched the harmonious scene unfold before his eyes, his gaze softening.
It turned out that even in wealthy families, not everything was broken and disjointed.
During dinner, Kenneth and Louisa kept piling food onto Arabellaâs plate, having not seen her in days and especially after the slanderous attacks on the AR-Bl-Clear Group, they were deeply concerned about the stress and hardship their young daughter was facing. They showered her with affection and care.
Feeling left out, Serena made a pointed effort to serve Arabella some food to make a good impression on their parents.
Romeo chimed in to break the tension, âBellaâs had her fill of seafood lately.â
With that, Arabella passed the shrimp Serena had put in her bowl over to her mother, âMom, you have some.â
Not to be outdone, Serena served Arabella some beef.
âBellaâs been suffering from indigestion. She should avoid rich, heavy foods.â
As soon as Romeo finished speaking, Arabella transferred the beef from her bowl to her fatherâs, âDad, you eat this.â
Serena couldnât hold back, âThen what can sis eat? Let me help you to get it.â
âNo need, just continue with your food.â Arabella didnât even give her a second glance.
Serenaâs face fell in disappointment. She dutifully served her parents and even stole a glance at Romeo, âRomeo can serve himself, make sure to eat plenty.â
âMr. and Mrs. Collins, please have more also.â Romeo ignored her comment and turned to Kenneth and Louisa, âThanks for preparing such a wonderful meal for me tonight.â
âThereâs no need for formalities with us, kiddo. Come by for dinner more often when you can,â Kenneth invited warmly.
âAbsolutely,â Louisa agreed with a smile, âcome when you get time. Donât feel shy.â
Seeing her own dismay go unnoticed, Serena felt even more irked.
Finally, as the meal came to an end and a servant was about to bring out a fruit platter to the living room, Serena hastily offered, âLet me do that.â
She was eager to redeem herself in Romeoâs eyes.
Before the servant could respond, she was already presenting the fruit platter to her parents with a dutiful smile, âMom, Dad, how about some fruit to top off the meal?â
âWhereâs Sarah? Why are you bringing in the fruit?â Louisa was surprised.