Chapter 56


    “I’m not creepy!”


    Xanthe grabbed a wooden block and threw it at him, and he yelped, picking up two to throw back, “Xan,


    you are a grown–up, you can’t bully little kids!”


    “Little kids are the easiest to bully!”


    Peals ofughter drifted into the kitchen, where Orion, through the frosted ss, watched the joyous


    intery of the girl and the boy below. The scene was a mirror of the countless sleepless nights filled


    with dreams, yet infinitely more enchanting.


    Even though it was just a fleeting illusion, he wished it couldst a little longer, much longer, ideally


    forever.


    An hourter, the butler descended the stairs and bowed, “Ms. Nightshade, Sebastian, Mr. Lockwood


    has prepared a midnight snack. Please join him in the dining room on the second floor!”


    “Alright!”


    Xanthea and Sebastian, washed up and racing each other, entered the dining room on the second floor


    and were greeted by avish table set with an array of mouthwatering Willowdale specialties.


    Sebastian eximed, “Wow, it smells amazing and looks so bountiful, Uncle Orion, you’re awesome!”


    “Did you make all this?”


    Xanthea was amazed as she looked at Orion. Even before tasting, the presentation and colors alone


    were not the work of an amateur!


    She had expected some simple cold cuts for a snack, but instead, it was a table full of exquisite dishes!


    Orion urged, “Ms. Nightshade, please, have a taste.”


    “Sure, don’t mind if I do!”


    She quickly picked up her utensils, scanning the table with a touch of decision paralysis. Crab cakes,


    roasted chicken, and fluffy mashed potatoes. Finally, she forked a piece of crab cake, its rich, creamy


    filling perfectly soft and deliciously fragrant.


    “Mmm! This is so good, how can it be this delicious!”


    It was so delectable that her eyes squinted in satisfaction, emitting sounds of delight like a content fox.


    Sebastian, too, lifted his spoon enthusiastically, “Super delicious!”


    Xanthea, overwhelmed with the vors, tried every dish on the table, finding each more delicious than


    thest anything she had on the ne!


    5 25 25 2 2 2 2 2 2


    It seemed almost unbelievable. How could Orion, a busy CEO, not only cook but cook so divinely?


    Was it fair for someone to be so perfect?


    even better than


    After sampling every dish, she noticed Orion’s gaze fixed on her and paused awkwardly, “Am I being


    too unreserved? Your cooking is just tear–jerkingly delicious!”


    “Not at all.”


    Not unreserved, but adorable, and very endearing.


    “If you like it, please have some more.”


    “Sure!”


    “There’s also soup.”


    “Sure!”


    “It’s gettingte; perhaps, Ms. Nightshade, you could stay over.”


    “Sure!”


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Xanthea nodded automatically, and only a few secondster realized what she had agreed to. Stay


    over?


    She looked up to see his pleasantly upturned eyebrows and that lethally charming smile.


    Staying over then, with a handsome man and delicious food could life get any more blissful?


    “Why don’t you join me in eating, instead of watching?”


    “Alright.”


    The three of them dined together, a harmonious, picture–perfect scene. The butler, reassured, silently


    agreed with the staff’s whispers, they really did look like a family.


    Chapter 56


    Xanthea picked up a forkful of fluffy mashed potatoes, pulling out her phone, “It’s yummy, I have to take


    a photo to remember this moment!”