Chapter 165


    James leaned casually against the door of his sleek ck car. His sleeves were rolled up to reveal his


    wrists. His eyes, with a yful glint, rested on Mirabe. His lips curved into a half–smile as he spoke


    teasingly, “Because your incense works wonders.”


    Mirabe arched an eyebrow. Her face lit up with a blend of brilliance and brazen pride. “Of course it


    does.”


    Just then, Wyatt, who had been fiddling with the GPS, chimed in without missing a beat. “Ms. Mirabe,


    you’re acquainted with that boutique owner, aren’t you? I ced an order the other day, and the chap


    threw in a buy–one–get–one–free deal for me.”


    Caught off–guard, Mirabe turned to Wyatt, her voiceced with curiosity, “Which boutique


    All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    owner?”


    James facepalmed.


    As Wyatt started the engine, he borated, “The one from that perfume shop you rmended to


    James.”


    After a brief moment of puzzlement, Mirabe’s face lit up with realization. “We don’t know


    each other.”


    “Huh, really? I thought there was some connection, hence the discount, Wyatt mused absent–mindedly.


    Narrowing her eyes slightly, Mirabe recalled James‘ message on Messenger. With an airy tone, she


    asked, “So, how much did you buy?”


    Scratching his head, Wyatt confessed, “About two hundred boxes or so. He practically emptied his


    stock for me.”


    Hearing this, Mirabe turned her gaze towards James, her eyes twinkling with mischief.


    James, who usually exuded an air ofposure, now seemed slightly flustered. Clearing his throat, he


    deftly changed the subject. “Mirabe, what are you in the mood for tonight? Something fancy?”


    With a rxed smile, Mirabe leaned back in her seat, resting her hands behind her head. “Anything


    lavish will do.”


    Observing herid–back demeanor, James joked, “You’re not afraid I might trade you for a fancy


    dinner?”


    With her eyes already half–closed, Mirabe’s response came with a touch of arrogance, “Only if you


    think you can.”


    James chuckled, shook his head, and directed Wyatt to a specific location. As Mirabe seemed to


    doze off, James let the silence settle in the car, and even Wyatt instinctively turned off the music.


    Chapter 165


    About thirty minutester, they pulled up in front of a quaint restaurant nestled in a serene spot. James


    turned to wake Mirabe but found her eyes open, devoid of any trace of sleepiness. He raised an


    eyebrow, “We’re here.”


    With a nonchnt “Mhm,” Mirabe pushed the car door open and stepped out.


    The rustic entrance, nked by a country–style brook and bridge décor, exuded a rxed and refined


    charm. Mirabe followed James into the restaurant. The exterior had seemed modest, but inside, it


    opened up into an unexpectedly charming space, rich with an air of elegance.


    “This ce isn’t half bad,” Mirabe observed, ncing around the empty establishment. “Just a


    shame there’s no customers around.”


    James looked back at her, exining, “The owner has closed it to the public today.”


    She raised an eyebrow, “Is the owner friend of yours?”


    “Something like that,” James replied nonchntly.


    At that moment, a middle–aged man emerged from the back. Upon seeing James, his demeanor


    instantly shifted to one of considerable respect. “Hello, Sir.”


    The honorific didn’t go unnoticed by Mirabe, whose eyes lingered on the man, catching the subtle


    deference in his gaze.


    The moment the man had received the call, he knew James would be bringing a friend. But seeing that


    the guest was a youngdy, he had visibly paused, taken aback.