Chapter 691
Charles still remembered Whitney smiling and offering him her best wishes before he left that day,
saying sincerely, “I hope that your blind date goes well, Mr. Newton.”
He stared at his phone screen, seemingly lost in thought. Now that I think about it, I bet Whitney’s
sudden resignation has something to do with going home for a blind date.
Nevertheless, he swiftly cast his thoughts aside as his slender fingers typed out a reply to the
oceanarium director: No need for that. When she clears her paycheck, give her the proper
compensation per the standard resignation procedure.
The oceanarium director texted back: Mr. Newton, marypensation shouldn’t be offered in
circumstances like hers where she submitted the resignation letter on her own and with the resignation
statement being personal reasons.
Charles: As I said, settle it as per usual.
Those few simple words were enough for him to convey his displeasure and authoritative demeanor to
the oceanarium director, resulting in thetter’s prompt reply: Very well.
After closing the chat window, Charles was about to put down his phone when a new text message
popped up from an unknown number: Mr. Newton, this is Jessamyn Cloud. Are you free today at noon?
I’d like to treat you to lunch. Because of my mood yesterday, I may have spoken somewhat harshly and
come off as unfriendly toward you. I wish to apologize to you in person. Is that okay?
He frowned almost immediately when he saw the words “Jessamyn Cloud,” and the disgust in his eyes
was impossible to hide.
Out of politeness, though, he had no choice but to reply: I’m busy.
Jessamyn responded with a sobbing emoji and the words: You’re a gentleman, Mr. Newton. Please
don’t turn me down. We’ll just be having a meal. My dad gave me a stern scolding after I returned
home yesterday. I sincerely apologize to you for my previous misconduct, Mr. Newton. Can you give
me a chance to exin in person? The Cloud family is strict. My dad will kill me if I don’t see you.
She ended the message with another crying emoji.
Charles frowned as he read the woman’s texts, a little irritated by the continuous pinging of the text
message notification.
His disy of gentlemanly demeanor was contingent upon the person he was conversing with. In the
past, he reserved such behavior solely for Gwendolyn. However, in the presence of anyone else, his
civility wasrgely absent, let alone any traces of gentlemanliness.
Just as he was about to block her contact, a child’s head suddenly entered his line of sight, obscuring
his vision of his phone screen.
Zendaya had heard his phone pinging nonstop and had run over to investigate.
“Who is it, Uncle Charles?”
Charles never hid anything from her, so he answered truthfully, “It’s Jessamyn, the daughter of the
Cloud family whom you met yesterday at the restaurant. She’s the one who sent the texts.”
Zendaya pouted in displeasure. “What’s wrong with her? I can’t believe she sent so many texts to scold
you! Don’t back down, Uncle Charles. Reply to her now. I’ll help youe up with a reply!”
Gently stroking her flushed pink cheeks, Charles couldn’t contain hisughter. “No, she’s not scolding
me. She’s actually offering to treat me to lunch as a token of apology. She even said that if I turned her
down, her dad would kill her. What do you think, Zendy? Should we join her for lunch at noon?”
“Apologize?” Zendaya’s response was sharp-witted as ever as she replied, “Of course, we should. She
humiliated you yesterday and even scolded me. I want to hear her apology before deciding whether or
not she should be forgiven. Plus, we’d get a free meal, so why shouldn’t we go?”
Charles let out a chuckle before praising sincerely, “Such a sensible girl you are, Zendy. You’re even
helping me save money on food.”
The little girl shed him a blinding smile. “That’s because I’m only five years old, so Daddy and
Mommy don’t give me much pocket money. But Uncle Treyton said that I’m the prospective heir of
Harris Group, so I’ll be very rich in the future. When the timees, I can provide for you until your
death, Uncle Charles.”
Despite being very touched, he still could not help correcting her words.
“You can provide for me in my old age, but remove the word ‘death.’ I’m still very young and want to
spend a few more decades with you. I don’t wish to be sent off in a coffin so soon.”
“Got it!”
“Good girl,” Charles praised gently. He then honored Zendaya’s wishes and replied to Jessamyn’s text,
agreeing to meet at noon.
While he was typing, the little girl stood by his side, saying excitedly, “Uncle Charles, remember to tell
Ms. Cloud that I’ll be choosing the ce to eat, but she’ll be paying for it. I’ll choose the most expensive
restaurant in Salinsburgh and make her poor!”
“All right. I’ll do as you say, Zendy.”
Two hourster, Jessamyn booked a private room in the restaurant that Zendaya requested.
She was standing outside the restaurant waiting when Charles came in with Zendaya in his arms. Upon
seeing them, she greeted them with a pleasant and humble smile.
“Ms. Cloud, I recall you also arriving a few minutes early yesterday and sitting in the private room
waiting for me. You didn’t even get up when I went in, so I find it strange that you’re willing to stand at
the entrance and wait for me today,” Charles remarked in a t tone heavily tinted with frost.
Jessamyn’s expression stiffened slightly, but she quicklyposed herself and smiled apologetically. “I
was too immature yesterday. I hope you won’t hold it against me, Mr. Newton.”
Charles made no response. He merely looked at the little girl in his arms.
Zendaya stared at the woman facing her, and aside from snorting in disdain, said nothing either.
Cedrick had already given her an ultimatum the previous day, forbidding her from calling Charles
“Daddy” outside, so she merely came to listen to them talk and look adorable.
ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
Jessamyn felt a little embarrassed, and the smile on her face was slightly stiff, but at the thought of her
father’s instructions, she steeled herself and said to Zendaya, “It’s noon. You must be hungry, Darling.
This way, Mr. Newton. Let’s talk inside.”
Under the guidance of the restaurant manager, the trio proceeded to the private room.
As soon as she sat down, Jessamyn courteously ced some food on Zendaya’s te. “This king crab
is their signature dish, and it’s prepared better than other famous restaurants in Salinsburgh. Try it and
see if you like it, Ms. Zendy.”
She peeled the crab meat and dipped it in the sauce before cing it on Zendaya’s te.
However, the little girl pouted in disdain. “I don’t want to eat food served by you, Ms. Cloud.” She
pushed her te back, gesturing for Jessamyn to enjoy it herself.
Charles’ attention, however, was on the way Jessamyn had addressed Zendaya.
I hadn’t called Zendy by name before Jessamyn during lunch yesterday.
“It looks like you already know Zendy’s identity. That’s why you asked me to lunch to apologize and
admit your mistake,” he remarked.
Jessamyn made no effort to hide it. “That’s right. I heard Ms. Zendy calling you ‘Daddy’ yesterday and
said those unpleasant words in the heat of the moment. I hope you and Ms. Zendy won’t hold a grudge
against me, Mr. Newton.”
Zendaya sat on Charles’p, saying arrogantly, “You called me an illegitimate daughter yesterday and
scolded me for my bad upbringing. Don’t think that I’ll forgive you after just one meal!”
Jessamyn’s lips curled up in an awkward smile. She took the initiative to fill Charles’ ss with red
wine before raising her ss at him.
“If one meal is not enough to make amends, then make it two, three, or however many you want. After
going back and thinking about it, I discovered that I really like your personality, Mr. Newton, and I wish
to get to know you better. A toast to you.”
The mellow red wine went down her throat, rich in vor.
However, Charles made no move to raise his ss, merely ying with the little girl in his arms.
I would’ve dealt with the Cloud family if I hadn’t been worried aboutshing out in front of Zendy
yesterday. I won’t ept her toast, and there’s no need to continue this unsessful blind date.
Jessamyn continued holding the empty ss after downing the red wine. Since Charles did not intend
to ept her toast, she would keep it raised.
The atmosphere in the private room became slightly awkward. Charles and Zendaya chatted happily,
making Jessamyn seem like the third wheel.
This tense atmosphere continued for more than two minutes. It was only when she noticed the waitress
entering with some fruit that Jessamyn’s expression softened.
“The fruit tter you ordered, Ms. Cloud.”
Jessamyn set her wine ss down and motioned with her gaze. “I ordered it for the little girl. Put it in
front of her.”
The waitress walked over with the fruit tter but froze upon seeing Charles with Zendaya on hisp.
Her wrist trembled, and the fruit tter tilted to the side.
Crash!
The ss te hit the edge of the table, and the whole fruit tter flew out of the woman’s hands,
leaving a mess on the carpet.
Jessamyn stood up and eximed angrily, “How can you be so careless! What if you hurt Ms. Zendy?
Call your manager over immediately!”
The woman bowed and uttered politely, “I’m sorry.”
Zendaya looked up from Charles’ arms, and when she saw the woman’s familiar face, she eximed in
surprise, “Look, Uncle Charles. It’s Whitney who came in with the te!”
Charles followed her gaze and raised his head, staring at the woman inquisitively. “What are you doing
here?”