Chapter 71: Chapter 79

“What would you like to eat? I’ll make it for you.”

“I’m not picky. I like whatever you make.” Jacob took a sip of water from his glass and flashed Angeline a bright smile.

He was a sight for sore eyes, lifting Angeline’s spirits.

If she were still in high school, she would have fallen for him like Floretta did.

However, at present, she could only view Jacob as a younger brother.

Angeline carried the bags to the kitchen and started washing the pots, cleaning the vegetables, and boiling some water.

After a while, Jacob followed her into the kitchen, grabbed an apron from the cabinet, and deftly tied it around his waist.

“Angie, it’s kind of boring sitting there and doing nothing, so I’ll give you a hand.”

Angeline took him up on his offer, pointing to the vegetables in the basin and instructing, “You can help me pluck the vegetables.”

“Sure,” Jacob agreed readily. He rolled up his sleeves and skillfully plucked the vegetables as if he had done it countless times before.

Ding dong!

The sound of the doorbell abruptly shattered the harmonious ambiance.

Angeline had gloves on because she was tending to the fish, so Jacob opened the door instead.

He was astonished to see who was standing outside the door. “Mr. Golding?”

Evander stood outside, holding Floretta’s hand. The man had forgotten to take away his daughter’s phone after getting off work, so the girl ended up seeing news about Angeline when she woke up. As such, she wouldn’t stop yammering about coming to visit Angeline.

Evander had no choice but to bring her over. However, he did not expect Jacob to be at Angeline’s place at such a late hour. His expression immediately darkened.

Are they not concerned that the paparazzi might take photos of them?

Jacob and Evander harbored different thoughts upon seeing each other. Immediately, the air was heavy with silence and awkwardness.

Floretta, on the other hand, did not think much about it. She was delighted when she saw Jacob and exclaimed excitedly, “Wow! It’s Jac! Am I not seeing things?”

As she spoke, she could not keep her emotions under control and pounced on Jacob.

Subconsciously, Jacob reached out to catch the little girl while wearing a look of puzzlement. He didn’t know why she was so enthusiastic.

“You like me?”

“Of course. I’ve listened to a lot of your albums, and I’m a loyal fan! I finally get to see you in person!”

Floretta caressed Jacob’s face and ruffled his hair as if she couldn’t believe he was real.

The girl’s words elicited a bright smile from Jacob. Plus, it was hard for him to not fall in love with Floretta, who looked as adorable as a doll.

Evander’s expression became grim when he saw how attached his daughter was to Jacob. He ordered in a deep voice, “Floretta, get off him!”

“I don’t want to, Daddy! Let me play with Jacob for a while!” Floretta wrapped her arms around Jacob’s neck, refusing to let go.

Despite the gloomy look on his face, he did not reprimand her any further since they were at someone else’s place.

As he stepped in and closed the door behind him, he saw Angeline in the kitchen. She was chopping a fish with a knife.

Right after cutting the fish open, she removed its guts and asked, “Who is it?”

When she raised her head and saw Evander, she was startled.

What’s the special occasion today? It’s surprising enough that Jacob came to visit, but why is Evander here too?

“Angel, you’re the best! You said you’d let me see Jacob earlier today, and you already fulfilled your promise!” Floretta, who was in the living room, waved joyfully at Angeline.

She was sitting on the floor, playing chess with Jacob.

“Enjoy yourselves.” Angeline chuckled sheepishly as she put the knife down. She dared not meet Evander’s eyes.

Earlier that day, she had just had an argument with him about Jacob. I’m basically embarrassing myself by letting Floretta meet Jacob now!

She offered, “Mr. Golding, Floretta must have bugged you to come here, right? If you don’t mind, you can stay here for dinner.”

“Are you sure we can stay? Won’t we interrupt your date with your boyfriend?” Evander replied as he cast a complicated glance at Jacob.

Angeline froze momentarily in puzzlement. “Do you mean Jacob? He simply stopped by to see me as a friend.”

Evander merely glanced at her and scoffed coldly. “But he chose to visit you at night?”

“Mr. Golding, please stop jumping to conclusions.”

Angeline stared at him and said with exasperation, “You can leave the kitchen first. I’m going to start cooking now, and it’ll get rather smoky here.”

After finishing her sentence, she began washing the fish before seasoning it with some spices and condiments.

Jacob was eavesdropping on their conversation the whole time. His expression turned sour when he heard Angeline refer to him as a friend.

Why? Aside from my age, what do I lack?

Just as he was about to interrupt their conversation, he saw Evander step into the kitchen. The latter then rummaged through the shopping bags and took out a cucumber.

Angeline jumped when she turned around and saw him. “W-What are you doing?”

“I’m helping you, or we’ll only get to eat dinner at midnight.”

With that, Evander turned on the tap and started washing the cucumber.

When Jacob saw that, he stood up in the living room and rushed into the kitchen. “Let me help out too.

Before you came along, I was helping Angie,” he said, reluctant to let Evander help.

“There’s no place for you here,” Evander replied coldly with a tinge of disdain in his eyes.

The place Angeline rented was a two-bedroom apartment, and the kitchen was somewhat small.

Therefore, it was rather packed with three adults standing in it.

“Jacob, you can go out and rest. Floretta really likes you, so you should go and play with her,” Angeline reminded him as she shook the water off her hands.

Jacob was disappointed upon hearing that, and he cast a glance at Evander, saying unhappily “Are you going to let him stay in the kitchen? Won’t he just make a mess? I don’t think a busy CEO like him can cook.”

Angeline felt bad for letting Evander help when she heard what Jacob said.

Thus, she hurriedly walked over to Evander and took the cucumber from his hands, saying apologetically, “Mr. Golding, let me wash it. You should leave too.”

Jacob folded his arms and smirked when he heard that.

I thought Evander had a special place in Angeline’s heart, but now it seems like he’s not that special after all.

“Didn’t you say I spend too little time with Floretta?”

“What?”

Evander wore an apathetic expression and remarked calmly, “Floretta likes the dishes you make. If I learn from you, I’ll be able to cook for her and spend more time with her.”

When Angeline heard that, she was surprised. “Are you serious? You’re going to learn now?”

“Yes.”

She was taken aback by his affirmation. He wasn’t nearly as proactive when I was teaching him how to make a cake at the Golding residence. Why is he suddenly so eager to learn how to cook?

However, she was pleased that Evander was making an effort for Floretta.

“Sure. I’ll teach you how to make some simple dishes that Floretta likes.” Angeline had no reason to reject him, so she started teaching him on the spot.

Evander walked over to Jacob while wearing a calm expression. “Give me the apron.”

His intention to flaunt was blatant from his tone.