Chapter 581

Lucian let out a low chuckle as he stepped out.

Allison wasn’t exactly eager to dine out. Lately, she felt like she was the eye of a media hurricane, afraid that a simple meal in public could turn into an episode of unwanted attention and gossip. To her surprise, Lucian had booked the entire restaurant for her.

They were on the 33rd floor. It was open-air, and they could enjoy a panoramic view of Northfield’s cityscape.

“Dear guests, your meal is served. Please, enjoy,” the waiter said with a practiced smile.

“Lucian,” Allison began, “you said today is all about me.”

“Mhm.”

“But I don’t really want to go anywhere. Why don’t you head to work instead?” She felt that no matter where she went, she would stir up quite the commotion.

Lucian watched her, noticing the hint of gloom in her demeanor. “Let’s eat up, and then I’ll take you somewhere special.”

“Where?” she asked curiously.

“You’ll see.”

At two in the afternoon, Lucian drove swiftly to the East Bay Marina in an hour.

Allison leaned out of the car window, taking in the salty sea breeze. “What are we doing at the beach?”

she inquired.

Lucian got out of the car, and Allison followed suit, wrapping a scarf around her face and donning sunglasses to blend in with the crowd. As the coastal wind played with her light pink scarf, she adjusted it and boarded the boat beside Lucian.

Only then did Allison realize they were headed to Pearl Island.

Returning to the island brought a wave of nostalgia. She remembered her last visit, getting lost in its dense forests.

The ferry took just over twenty minutes to reach the central hotel, a towering establishment owned by the prestigious Lindberg Corporation.

Taking her hand, Lucian said, “A lot has developed here over the year. Last time, it was all just beginning. Now, every project is near completion. You must be tired. Let’s rest for a bit, have some afternoon tea, and then I’ll take you to a place.”

They enjoyed a quaint afternoon tea at the hotel, and Lucian had arranged everything in advance. The staff, impeccably professional, treated Allison without a hint of gossip or speculation.

Looking out the window, Allison was greeted by the sight of the endless sea. The fresh ocean breeze was wafting through.

Pearl Island lived up to its name, renowned for its pearls. Almost the entire East Bay Marina was under the Lindberg Corporation’s umbrella, and Pearl Island was the jewel in the crown for their jewelry company, which dominated Northfield’s pearl industry.

A 15-minute yacht ride later, they arrived at the island, which had transformed significantly since Allison’s previous visit. Besides the manicured forests, there was now a processing plant nearby, most likely for pearls.

Allison could still vividly recall getting nearly lost in that very forest until this man came to her rescue.

“It’s getting late; we can’t venture deep into the forest since it’s been sealed off. Let’s visit the pearl factory instead. You can see the entire process of how pearls are made. Lindberg Corporation’s Beloved Collection has just been completed this month. Let’s go have a look,” Lucian suggested.

Allison followed him to the pearl factory, which was also open to tourists. Designing your own jewelry with freshly harvested pearls was a coveted pastime among the elite ladies of high society. After touring the facility, Allison chose a numbered oyster. A staff member promptly handed it to her.

Following the worker’s demonstration, she pried open the shell to reveal a delicate pink pearl, which was lustrous and large. It shimmered softly in the waning sunlight, casting a radiant and gentle glow.