The manager had received the news and was already waiting at the entrance. As soon as he saw Elliot Everett, he immediately greeted him respectfully.
"President Everett, everything you instructed before has been prepared, please come inside."
Elliot Everett nodded slightly with a detached expression. But when he turned to look at Serena and Nancy Sutton, his gaze became particularly gentle.
"Serena, you all like spicy food, so today’s dishes are mainly Sichuan cuisine...!"
Elliot Everett hadn’t finished speaking before Nancy Sutton interrupted anxiously, "But Elliot, you can’t eat spicy food, can you?"
Elliot slightly raised an eyebrow and looked at her inquisitively, "How do you know I can’t eat spicy food?"
His dietary habits were only known to those close to him; outsiders had no idea, so, how did she know?
Oops, I’ve been found out...
Nancy Sutton’s expression immediately turned guilty, and she lowered her head, not daring to look at him.
Just as Nancy Sutton was at a loss, Serena spoke calmly.
"Yes, yes, it was Serena who told me!" Nancy Sutton glanced gratefully at Serena, nodding quickly in agreement.
Although Elliot still felt something was amiss, he didn’t think further about it and led them toward the private room.
Looking at the message on her phone, Serena slightly pursed her red lips, "Brother, take Nancy to the private room first, I have something to do and will be back soon."
"Serena, what’s going on..."
Just as Elliot was about to inquire further, Seth Sterling suddenly appeared out of nowhere and draped an arm over his shoulder.
"Hey, Elliot! What a coincidence! Didn’t expect to run into you here!"
"Hmm, and why are you here?" Elliot frowned, eyeing him suspiciously.
His appearance was too coincidental, hard not to arouse suspicion.
"Me?!" Seth Sterling acted nonchalantly. "I brought my new girlfriend here for a meal! Didn’t expect to bump into you here! Want me to introduce her to you?"
The slight doubt in Elliot’s heart dissipated, and while they talked, Serena had already walked away.
"Elliot, you two chat, I’ll go in first." Nancy Sutton spoke politely.
"Alright." Elliot responded warmly, "I’ll join you shortly."
Thinking of the brooch Nancy was wearing, Seth Sterling immediately showed a hint of teasing, "Oh, Elliot, so you bought that brooch to give to a beauty! No wonder you wouldn’t let me have it!"
Initially, Seth had also taken a liking to that brooch, hoping Elliot would hand it over, but Elliot flatly refused.
He was puzzled at the time—Elliot didn’t have a girlfriend, so why buy the brooch? Even if he took it home, it’d just gather dust. It’d be better to give it to him for wooing beauties!
But he never expected Elliot to actually have given it away!
"Don’t talk nonsense." Elliot glanced at him with displeasure, his tone with a warning, "She’s Serena’s good friend, I only see her as a sister." Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on novelꞁire.net
"Oh, I get it, I get it!" Seth Sterling immediately winked playfully, "First friends, then sisters, and eventually a little sweetheart!"
Elliot shot him a cold look, speaking sharply.
"She’s the same age as Serena. I’m not like Damian Quinn, that beast!"
How could he be like Damian Quinn, that old beast, dating much younger women?!
He hated the idea of dating someone much younger his whole life; he would never let that happen to him!
Hearing this, Seth Sterling couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow, jokingly saying, "Elliot, never say never. If you end up like Damian, dating someone much younger, it’d be quite face-slapping!"
Elliot firmly denied it. Thinking of Damian Quinn’s shameless behavior, dating younger women, his handsome face grew even more sullen, grinding his teeth.
"I only see her as a sister. I would never be like Damian Quinn, a beast!"
Standing at the door of the private room, Nancy Sutton heard their conversation clearly, her steps halting, her beautiful face furrowing.
Since when was she considered a sister? She had always presented herself to him as a poised and graceful young lady!
"I don’t want to be your sister!"
Nancy muttered under her breath, biting her lip hard.
It seems she needs to change tactics...
Outside the private room.
"It’s been fifteen minutes, why hasn’t Serena returned?" Elliot frowned, shoving past Seth Sterling. "I’ll go find Serena, you can leave now."
"Hey... Elliot, don’t go!"
Seeing him heading out to find Serena, Seth Sterling’s face instantly changed, rushing to stop him.
If Elliot sees Serena with Damian Quinn, not only would Damian be in for a beating, but he wouldn’t be spared either!
Elliot squinted his eyes, "You seem awfully guilty..."
"No, no!" Seth Sterling quickly shook his head in denial, "I just think you’re too strict with Serena. Young girls nowadays don’t like being too controlled, I’m worried she might dislike you."
Hearing this, Elliot indeed showed signs of hesitation, no longer insisting on finding Serena.
Along the way, he’d shaken off Damian Quinn. There was no way he’d be here now.
So, there was no need to worry excessively; he didn’t want Serena to dislike him...
Serena reached the second-floor balcony of the restaurant but didn’t see the man she was looking for. She frowned in confusion and was about to turn and leave.
A pair of distinct, artfully beautiful hands suddenly clasped her slender waist tightly, pulling her into a hidden corner.
If one didn’t look carefully, they wouldn’t notice anyone was there.
Serena’s responses were swift, ready to fight back when she caught a whiff of a crisp, pleasant scent. She stopped struggling, obediently leaning into the man’s broad, warm embrace.
"What’s up? Why did you want to see me?"
"Your brother missed his little darling."
The man’s warm breath cascaded over Serena’s fair ear lobe, tingling with an inexplicable sensation.
Serena’s long, delicate lashes fluttered slightly. Her brother had been watching her closely lately, they indeed hadn’t had much time to meet.
"Tsk, we’re clearly an engaged couple with an aboveboard relationship, but now it feels like we’re sneaking around."
The man’s deep, magnetic voice brimmed with grievance, melting the heart.
Serena reached out and held his narrow waist, offering comfort.
"How does my little fiancée plan to make it up to her brother?"
Damian Quinn looked down, eyes burning as he stared at her, his deep, magnetic voice intoxicating like a seductive fox spirit.
"How about a kiss for brother?"
Serena lightly pressed her lips together, "But I can’t stay long, or else brother will worry."
The man suddenly leaned in, his voice hoarse, teasingly making her ears tingle.
"Sweetheart, Seth Sterling is keeping him busy."
So he had already planned everything...
The thought barely crossed Serena’s mind when she was trapped in the corner, and the man’s fiery kiss descended, dominant and unstoppable, she had no way to evade.