Chapter 342

Instead of answering her inquiry, Maurice turned to the waiter.

“I do not wish for a cake.”

“That’s all right, sir.”

The server was a bit astonished, but he had to leave once the guest refused.

“Hold on!” The waiter was halted by Eliana. “Please bring the cake.”

“I don’t see myself celebrating a birthday,” Maurice replied carelessly.

Eliana felt uneasy, so she said obstinately, “I’d want to have some cake.”

The waiter nodded and walked away when he saw that Maurice had no objections.

Again, there was a void of stillness between them. For some reason, Eliana instantly remembered that

Maurice had celebrated her birthday as Preston.

Given that Maurice could spend her birthday with her, why did he not want to celebrate his own?

Eliana couldn’t help but inquire, “Why can’t you celebrate the day you came into this world?”

“There’s nothing noteworthy about it. Simply said, it has been a long time since I had a birthday party.

My parents observed my birthday when I was little. It was Rosina who organized my birthday

celebrations after my parents died. Rosina, sadly also died. My birthday has never been a special

occasion for me from then,” Maurice said as if the past had faded away, even though he had personally

experienced it.

Eliana’s heart ached for no apparent reason, though.

Her thoughts rushed back to the family portrait she’d seen at his house.

The beaming Maurice must have been overjoyed back then to have his loving parents and adorable

sister at his side.

After seeing such heartbreaking events, no one could go on to lead a normal life. How many scars had

Maurice concealed in a corner where no one else could see them for all these years?

While Eliana contemplated this and stared into Maurice’s ice-cold eyes, her heart warmed.

She spoke her thoughts on the spot. “You may have a birthday party. If no one is available to celebrate

with you, you may…”

The moment Eliana realized what she’d spoken, her pupils constricted dramatically.

What a load of bullshit had she just uttered? She could not suggest that he found her.

“Where can I find someone to celebrate with?”

Maurice’s eyes had a subtle sparkle to them.

There was no going back on what she had said. When Eliana’s nerves got the better of her, she caught

a glimpse of Corbin, who was peering at them not far away. Her whole face lighted up.

“How about Corbin? Isn’t he your assistant?”

Corbin?

Why did she finally come to this decision after giving it so much thought?

The color on Maurice’s face deepened.

“There isn’t any need for it. There will be no repeat of this.”

Eliana wiped the nonexistent perspiration from her brow in silence. Thankfully, she responded fast just

now.

The waiter finally brought the birthday cake after a while.

Eliana initiated the addition of candles to the cake. “I’ll light the candles for you, Maurice. Will you follow

the tradition of making a wish?”

She lighted the candles with care.

“To hell with the wish. There would be less unhappy individuals in the world if everyone’s wishes would

come true.”

Eliana’s mood deteriorated as a result of Maurice’s moodiness.

“Why are you so sulky? You’ve deteriorated much further since your gigolo days! Your looks are

somewhat unappealing.”

Her remarks had left Maurice out of words. With a melancholy expression on his face, he blew out the

candles.

“What wish did you just make, Maurice?”

Eliana’s face was etched with interest as she glanced at Maurice.

With a subtle change of expression, Maurice’s features loosened somewhat. “Perhaps you can assist

me in getting my wish…”

“Seriously?” Eliana seemed to be intrigued. “Let me know then…”

“Hmm… I wish that… I would want to know what you wished for on your last birthday.” Maurice’s face

lit up with a grin.

Eliana’s reaction was immediately full of shock.

Couldn’t he do better than that?

He couldn’t possibly make her say what she wished.

Eliana could not help but recollect her birthday from some months ago. Preston suddenly emerged with

a gigantic cake, which touched her.

So she wished that Preston and the children would be able to live together as one family.

Well… Her desire appeared to have come true in a different manner.

Preston, on the other hand, was Maurice’s masquerade to tease her. Maurice had put a stop to

disguise at this point. From this point, it appeared as though Eliana’s wish would never be fulfilled.

The light in Eliana’s eyes began to wane. “That desire will never come true; therefore it’s pointless to

tell you now.”

“How so?” Maurice had a scowl on his face.

“I just think that…Preston won’t be returning.”

Did her desire at the time include Preston in any way?

Momentarily moved, Maurice questioned hesitantly, “You want to see Preston return?”

Eliana had a good chuckle. “To what end am I putting this effort in my mind? Nothing could be farther

from the fact.”

“As long as you’re prepared to pay the price, it’s not impossible.” Maurice paused.

Eliana’s eyes widened in astonishment as she glanced at him with wide-eyed wonder.

What plot was he employing?

“Consider it. What exactly did Preston do? If you want him to join you, you’ll have to shell out some

cash.”

Maurice had a foxlike grin.