Chapter 164
Chapter 164 The Greatest Value
Eileen, in high spirits, made her way to the kitchen. Donning an apron, she retrieved ingredients from
the fridge, preparing to bake.
Sharon offered her assistance. “Do you need
my help?”
“No need. I’ve done it several times, and I’ve got the hang of it. Sharon, you go ahead with your other
tasks.”
“All right, remember to call me if you need anything.”
“Okay.”
The process of making chestnut pie was not tooplex. Vera entered, observing the bustling activity,
and couldn’t resist asking curiously,-“Eileen, when did you start making chestnut pie? Can you teach
me?”
“Sharon taught me. If you want to learn, I can give you a tutorial and the recipeter. It’s not too hard to
pick up.”
“Sure thing! Otherwise, I’ll just be watching you work. Eric is chatting with them, but I can’t understand
a word, so I thought I’de over and see you. Do you need any help?”
Eileen replied, “Could you help me wash these dishes? I’ve already done half of them. Please be
careful.”
“Sure.” Vera nodded, rolling up her sleeves and adjusting the water temperature from the faucet.
“Eileen, how did youe to know Mr. Smith? I can tell, it seems like he has feelings for you.”
Eileen, focused on mashing steamed chestnuts into a paste, didn’t answer the question. Instead, she
casually changed the subject, saying, “How are you doing in the Olympiad Math ss? When I was
there, the workbook that Mr. Gardner gave me was quite challenging. I’ve only managed to finish half of
it so far.”
Vera responded, “It’s manageable, but the study environment in the top ss is too intense. Besides
focusing on studies and doing exercises all day, there’s hardly any time for personal activities.” She
sighed deeply, “There are some concepts I struggle to grasp, and my only recourse is to consult Mr.
Gardner. At home, my only option is Eric. However, he’s been arriving hometetely, so if there’s
something I don’t understand, I have to let it go. Do… you resent me for taking your spot? For being
the reason you couldn’t join the Olympiad Math ss?”
Eileen shook her head. “There’s no need to me yourself. It’s apetitive environment. That’s the
nature of our ss. As long as your grades are strong, no one will scrutinize your
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choices, and you’ll always find a way forward, no matter where you are. This is something Ms. Hayes
advised me.”
That’s true… Oh, by the way, are you still friends with Yvette?”
Eileen nced at her. “What’s the matter?”
She’s asking about Yvette. Could it be rted to today’s events?
Vera, washing dishes with a somewhat forlorn demeanor, began to share, “Today, I overheard a
conversation between Mr. Swan and Eric. He wishes for Eric to be with Ying Yvette! Eileen… what
should we do about this?”
Eileen pretended to contemte, wearing a troubled expression. “I’m not sure, but if my brother has
feelings for her, as his sister, it’s only natural that I would want to support. them.”
Perhaps Vera hadn’t anticipated this response. The te in her hands slipped, ttering into the sink.
She forced a chuckle. “But… I thought you liked Eric? Are you really going to let him be with someone
else?”
Eileen curved her lips into a smile, gazing at Vera. “Yes, I do care about him, but… at the moment, it’s
the kind of affection a sister has for her brother. Besides… matters of the heart can’t be forced.”
“I’ll
go check if there’s any mulling spices in the fridge.” Eileen preferred not to delve into unproductive
discussions, especially concerning matters rted to Eric.
By the time dinner was served, the chestnut pie that Eileen had prepared was ready. She had made a
generous amount, enough to feed seven or eight people.
The table was set. Jasper upied the head, with Will to his left. Eileen sat to his right, in close
proximity, and Vera took the seat next to her.
Five individuals faced a table brimming with dishes, an abundance impossible to consume entirely.
With a gracious expression, Will spoke with a smile. “These are just some simple home- cooked
dishes. I hope you won’t find them too in, Mr. Smith.”
“Not at all,” Jasper replied, his gaze frequently shifting toward Eileen as he spoke.
“Good, good. Eileen, serve Mr. Smith some food.”
Eileen presented Jasper with a slice of sweet and sour pork ced in front of him, apanied by a
freshly baked chestnut pie. “Give it a try and let me know if it’s too sweet. If it is, I’ll use less sugar next
time.”
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“Did you make this as well?” jasper inquired, holding a piece of the sweet and sour pork.
Eileen nodded, strategically fibbing, “I can’t cook much, just these two.”
“Okay, I’ll give it a try.”
“How does it taste?”
Jasper sampled it. “Not bad.”
All of this was a spectacle for Will to witness. In the Smith family, most of the time, Jasper was the one
apanying her.
“At home, I don’t recall you ever being this nice to me. Why are you so kind today?” As Jasper spoke,
his unwavering gaze on her resembled a deep-sea whirlpool, drawing people in.
To an outsider. this gaze wasn’t entirely innocent.
The home Jasper referred to was naturally the Smith residence.
Eileen, inexperienced with such attention, was unsure how to respond. All she could muster was to
summon her courage and say, “In my home, you’re a guest, so it’s only natural to treat you well. Please
enjoy; it won’t taste as good once it cools down.”
This turned out to be the longest meal Eileen had ever partaken in,sting for a full two
hours.
The group became rather intoxicated. Will produced his prized red wine, worth over a hundred
thousand, along with some ke wine. The trio drank until their sses were empty.
Shortly after, Will retired to his room to rest.
Jasper was a lightweight when it came to alcohol. Since his leg was still recovering, his old leg ailment
would still act up on rainy days, making alcohol consumption impossible.
The clock struck nine in the evening. Eileen helped Jasper to the couch, and Mary brought over the
hangover remedy prepared by Sharon.
“Eric, you’ve had quite a bit to drink. Would you like some water?”
“No need, I’ll go back to my room first. Remember to rest early.” Eric’s tone was somewhat distant as
he spoke to Vera, and even his gazecked its usual gentleness.
Is it because of Eileen? But Eric doesn’t actually like Eileen, right? I know this. Despite Eileen’s deep
affection for him and all the crazy things she did, Eric wasn’t swayed at all. Perhaps… I’m overthinking
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Okay, Eric.
He just discussed such a big deal at the dinner table; isn’t he happy?
After all, Will and Eric, both experienced veterans of the social drinking scene, found it impossible to
avoid these obligations.
Eileen offered the hangover remedy to Jasper, saying, “Have some; you’ll feel better in a bit.”
“Are you giving me food?”
“Mmhim.”
It was clear that Jasper was trying his best to maintain hisposure.
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Noticing that the living room was now deserted, with only the housekeepers tidying up the dining table.
Eileen said to him, “Actually, you don’t have to agree to cooperate with my father because of me.”
He always gave in and treated her well. It was all kindness she couldn’t repay.
“The fact that your brother took a liking to that piece ofnd on Cutvine shows he indeed has good
taste. But to me, thatnd means nothing.” He looked at her as if trying to see right through her.
After drinking, even his voice became more alluring, as if enchanting her, “The greatest value is not in
it, but in you… Eileen, you know what I desire.”
His scent wafted over her face, a mixture of alcohol and his own aroma, somewhat pleasant.
Eileen’s heart tightened, “I know…”