Chapter 185

Winnie couldn’t see what was happening downstairs, but she could distinctly sense the awkward silence that filled the air the moment Drake finished speaking.

But it was fleeting.

Amber didn’t hesitate for a second before she corrected herself, her tone as casual as ever.

“Oh, I apologize, Mr. Patterson, It won’t happen again.”

Then she asked, “Mr. Patterson, is Winnie with you?”

Drake simply said, “I asked her to help me with some things. I’ll have someone take her home later.*

At that, Amber’s curiosity peaked, and she naturally continued the conversation, “Mr. Patterson, are you asking Winnie for help? Do you, by any chance, believe in something supernatural?*

Winnie stood at the top of the stairs, wondering if Amber was trying to chat with Drake until she came down. If that was the case, she couldn’t very well hide.

After all, Drake didn’t seem like the type to enjoy small talk.

But before she could make her way down, Drake spoke again from below, not picking up Amber’s bait, simply stating, “If there’s nothing else, Ms. Amber, you may leave now.”

With that, he didn’t wait for Amber’s reaction and stood up, adding, “Winnie is safe with me. If Horace is concerned, he can call me himself.”

The implication was clear: Horace, Winnie’s own brother, hadn’t come knocking, so it was inappropriate for a distant relative like Amber to show up uninvited.

Although Amber knew Drake was a tough nut to crack, she hadn’t expected him to be more direct than before. Previously, their families had at least some interaction, and he wouldn’t have been so blunt, effectively shutting down all her conversational avenues…

Feeling stifled, yet maintaining a façade of grace and politeness, Amber rose to leave. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that our family doesn’t trust you. I just came to check in. Now that I know she’s with you, I’ll be on my way.”

After a courteous exit, Amber didn’t linger and followed the butler out the villa’s grand entrance. Once she was gone, Drake paid her no more heed and started upstairs, just in time to see Winnie at the stairwell, obviously having been there a while.

His eyebrows lifted slightly, and he asked, “You’re up? Why not head back with her?”

Winnie, sensing no intention of sending her away in his voice, relaxed a little and was honest, “I didn’t want to go back with her.”

Although there had been no direct conflict between her and Amber since her return to the Bryant family, she didn’t believe for a second that Amber wasn’t behind the many troubles she faced from Hobson, Cutler, and even earlier, from Springer. So, in front of Drake, she saw no need to hide her rocky relationship with Amber.

Drake seemed to find her attitude appropriate and nodded. “Well, then wait a bit longer, have something to eat, and I’ll have someone take you home later.”

Winnie was about to refuse, but her hunger got the better of her and she followed Drake to the dining room.

The table was laid with plenty of food, clearty dinner.

At almost eight o’clock, it wasn’t too late for dinner.

As Winnie joined him, the housekeeper quickly unveiled the dishes, releasing the steam from the food that had been kept warm underneath.

Drake offered no explanation for the waiting meal simply gesturing for her to sit and eat.

Although there were dishes and cutlery reserved for guests, Drake disliked having people dine at his home. Even Horace had only eaten at the Patterson family home a few times.

Others were even less likely.

So, it was with some surprise that the butler and the chef had seen Drake instruct them to keep dinner warm for someone else, though they dared not ask questions, knowing his temperament.

Winnie, unaware of the significance, saw the food and sat down without reservation to eat.

After the day’s events and the expenditure of her energy, she indeed needed to refuel.

Despite her hunger, Winnie maintained impeccable manners while eating, chewing slowly, quietly, without making a sound with her utensils.

Drake, who also ate in silence, was somewhat pleased.

His aversion to dining with others was largely due to his dislike of mealtime noises.

Even at dinner parties, he focused solely on eating, never discussing business.

After all, he believed business should be discussed in the appropriate settings.

Their meal passed in comfortable silence.

Once Winnie finished and thanked Drake, she was escorted back to the Bryant family home by the butler himself.

When the butler returned and saw Drake watching the news in the living room, he couldn’t help but ask, “Mr. Patterson, why didn’t you walk Ms. Bryant home yourself?”

Their homes were close, and a leisurely stroll after dinner, under the decorative streetlights. would have been romantic.

11-17 However, Drake clearly didn’t catch the butler’s hint, and turning his head, he asked. “Did Winnie Say something to you?”

The butler sighed, “No, Ms. Bryant was quiet and pleasant. She even thanked me when I was leaving.”

Drake’s eyes twinkling with amusement at the butler’s description.

After a moment, he simply said, “You must be mistaken.”

That woman was anything but docile. She was just deceptively demure.

Thinking of Winnie’s fierce determination when facing those supernatural entities. Drake found the butler’s assessment almost humorous.

Without further discussion on the matter, Drake stood up and headed upstairs.

Back in his study, Drake stared at the unchanged room that had greeted him every day. Yet the image of her eyes, bright with the mention of the essence he had drawn and refined, lingered in his mind.

He reached for his phone and shot her a message.

Meanwhile, Winnie had just stepped through the front door when Amber approached with her usual tender concern.

“Winnie, there you are! I popped over to the Pattersons‘ to look for you but didn’t see you. I was starting to worry you’d gotten lost somewhere.”

“Uh–huh.” Winnie’s response was noncommittal, as she showed little interest in small talk.

Before, Amber would have taken the hint and moved on, but today she pretended not to notice Winnie’s dismissive demeanor and pressed on, “You know, I couldn’t believe it when Hobson told me.

When did you and Drakie become such buddies?”

The way she emphasized “buddies” and dropped Drake’s name so informally would make anyone think they were old friends.

If Winnie hadn’t heard Drake himself insist she call him Mr. Patterson, she might have been fooled too.

Yet, here was Amber, flip–flopping between formalities behind his back.

Did she think Drake wouldn’t find out about her intention?

Winnie remained silent, but Amber continued.

“Still, Winnie, as much as the Pattersons are friends with our family, Drakie is a man, and for a young woman like yourself to be at his house so late… it’s not entirely proper.”

Her words, laced with a hint of guidance, caused Hobson and other members of the Bryant family, who had been eavesdropping from the living room, to exchange subtly disapproving glances.

Winnie, about to step away, paused.

Why was it that some people, despite being clearly ignored, felt compelled to intrude with their insinuations and make others uncomfortable?

Turning to Amber, Winnie’s face was a mask of calm as she asked evenly, “At the Pattersons‘ earlier, Mr. Patterson made it clear that he prefers to be called Mr. Patterson. You agreed so readily then, so why revert to calling him ‘Drakie‘ behind his back? Would Mr. Patterson approve of this, I wonder?”