<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Logan had practically insulted Elijah to his face, implying that he wasn’t a real man.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">I anxiously gripped the napkin beneath the table. For a moment, I thought Elijah would flip the table out of rage, and my mind went nk as I reached for Logan’s hand,</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Unexpectedly, his slender and strong fingers firmly grasped mine as soon as I touched his.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">His grip was firm yet rxed, as if reassuring me not to worry.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Instantly, my anxiety eased at his touch.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Then, I looked up and saw Elijah’s face turn from pale to flushed.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">After a while, in a low muffled voice, Elijah said, “Mr. Wood, there are things that you don’t know of.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Logan adjusted his sses. “I’ve just returned to the county, so you’re right. I might not know everything. but I won’t make careless judgments either.” He then turned to me and added, “One thing for sure is that I won’t let Ari get hurt again.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Then, he gave Elijah a pointed look and questioned, “Mr. Linden, is that something you can do?”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Elijah’s anger shifted to surprise at Logan’s question.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">couldn’t help but turn to look at Logan. He leaned back casually in his chair, gently swirling his wine ss. His expression was calm, but his gaze was direct</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Beneath his calm demeanor, I sensed an unspoken, almost powerful sense of authority from him.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Was it a threat? Was he threatening Elijah?</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">I started to feel dazed, unsure if my suspicions were correct.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">However, Elijah’s expression had turned serious, and Jocelyn had dropped her delicate and innocent demeanor too.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Soon, more dishes were served, and suddenly, Jocelyn pushed a mousse dessert across the table toward me. She smiled and said, “Ms. York, this dessert is exquisite. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">I looked at the garnish on the mousse and coldly pushed it away. “I’m sorry. I don’t eat that.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Jocelyn persisted and said, “Ms. York, don’t be shy. I ordered an extra portion just for you. I know there are some misunderstandings between us, but I believe we can work through them.” She pushed the mousse toward me again.</font></font>Content ? N?velDrama.Org.
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">I turned my head away in disgust. “I’m not eating it.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Elijah, who had been holding back his anger, finally snapped. He yelled, “Ariana, what’s the meaning of</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">this?”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Tmet his gaze and coldly replied, “It’s just a mousse. Is it supposed to mean anything?”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Elijah’s face darkened in displeasure. “Aren’t you rejecting it just because it’s from Jocelyn?”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">I coldlyughed. “Is that what you really think of me, Mr. Linden?”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Though Elijah didn’t reply, his expression confirmed that that was precisely what he believed.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Meanwhile, Jocelyn continuously persuaded me anyway. “Ms. York, I honestly don’t mean any harm. I promise.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">However, I didn’t want to look at her. I directed my words at Elijah and said, “Don’t you know that I’d end up in the hospital if I ate this?”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Elijah was startled for a moment before his expression darkened. “Ariana, are you implying that Jocelyn’s trying to poison you?”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">I lowered my eyes. “I’m allergic to nuts. Oh, right, you didn’t know.” Iughed bitterly. “Five years of marriage, and you don’t even know that I’m allergic to nuts. Why are you still holding on? What’s the point?</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">For a moment, the atmosphere froze, and Elijah’s expression shifted as he stared at the nut crumbs on top of the mousse.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">“I really didn’t know,” he muttered quietly.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Now, my appetite was gone, and I irritably set down my utensils.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">At that moment, Logan suddenly stood up and signaled for the restaurant manager before whispering something to him.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">The restaurant manager then approached Elijah with a smile and informed him, saying, “Mr. Linden, I’m terribly sorry. We’re closing at 9:30 pm tonight. There’s only half an hour left. Would you like to cancel the rest of your orders?”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Before Elijah could reply, Jocelyn protested, saying, “This ce usually opens until midnight.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">The manager’s smile remained professional. “Unfortunately, the restaurant has to close early today.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">“I truly apologize for the inconvenience,” he added. Although the restaurant manager kept apologizing, he showed no signs of reconsideration.</font></font>