Chapter 479


    Nicole had donned a pristine white dress before heading to the restaurant as she believed that white


    could portray her innocence. Someone had once told her that when wearing white, she resembled a


    delicate lotus flower—a symbol of purity and beauty.


    s, Daniel left filthy stains on her white dress when he was clinging to her earlier.


    Nicole was a perfectionist, so even though the stains on her clothing weren''t noticeable to the untrained


    eye, she decided to head to the boutique next door and purchase a new outfit.


    After changing her clothes, she went to Number Nine Eatery and settled down at the table she


    reserved in advance. Cayden wasn''t there yet.


    Inside the luxuriously decorated restaurant, Nicole sat by the window as she stared at the brightly lit


    city outside. A sh of resentment crossed her face.


    Usually, men would arrive at the restaurant in advance to wait for their date to demonstrate their


    gentlemanly qualities.


    However, Nicole had to reserve a table at the restaurant and arrive in advance to wait for Cayden. That


    made her feel aggrieved.


    d in a sunny yellow dress, Nicole radiated elegance. Her delicate features and expertly applied


    makeup illuminated her natural beauty, making her shine like a star.


    She had a pitiful expression that could spark a man''s instinctive desire to protect her.


    Instead of reserving a private room, she chose an ordinary table.


    By being in the same space as the other patrons of the restaurant, she could allow the male patrons to


    admire her beauty. At the same time, she was hoping that someone in the restaurant might take photos


    of them and that they would appear in the news the following day.


    Around half an hourter, Cayden arrived at Number Nine Eatery.


    He approached Nicole, who was sitting in her seat and holding her chin in her palm. She seemed lost


    in thought, gazing out of the window. Calmly, he said, “I apologize for beingte, Ms. Nicole. Something


    unexpected came up at work and I got held up. I''m sorry you had to wait.”


    He then pulled out his chair and sat down.


    The man possessed aplexbination of qualities that made him noble, elegant, and somewhat


    aloof yet with a mysterious charm, allowing him to effortlessly captivate those he met.


    Nicole''s eyes lit up with delight when she caught sight of him even though she was previously


    grumbling about his attitude. All her displeasure evaporated as she gazed at him lovingly. It was like


    the world had suddenly be brighter.


    As if he was the source of her revitalization, he made the stagnant spring of her life flow again.


    Thanks to him, her life was filled with excitement.


    Nicole replied gently, “I just arrived as well and I didn''t wait too long.”


    It didn''t feel that long even though Nicole had actually waited for almost an hour before he arrived. As


    long as Cayden didn''t ke on her, she would be willing to wait for him for the entire night.


    Cayden concealed the iciness in his gaze and shed a polite smile. “Ms. Nicole, what would you like


    to eat? Let me get the menu.”


    Nicole''s gaze was gentle as she replied, “I''m not a picky eater, so you can order whatever you like.”


    Cayden''s lips curled into a charming smile, emphasizing his handsome features. “That won''t do, Ms.


    Nicole. I believe there must be some food you prefer, right? Please order whatever you want. I''m not


    very hungry right now, so I won''t be eating much.”


    The truth was, even if a spread was served before them right now, Cayden wasn''t in the mood to eat


    with Nicole.


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    He wouldn''t even y along with a pretentious woman like her if he had no ulterior motive.


    After all, he was in a hurry to head back home to have supper with Avery and the kids.


    Avery had a knack for home-cooked dishes, and her skills were on par with professional chefs. As a


    result, her food was so delicious that it made him picky about what he ate.


    After she got pregnant, he didn''t want to tire her out and hired a chef and a nutritionist to be in charge


    of their meals.


    However, Avery would still cook for them whenever she was free.


    He enjoyed the time spent around the dining table with his family, treasuring each and every moment


    they shared together.


    Nicole was taken aback, but her face lit up with a warm smile as she eximed, “Cayden, we have


    known each other for a while now, so it''s time for you to stop calling me Ms. Nicole. Please, just call me


    Nickie. I have been to this restaurant many times with my parents, and I can vouch for the fact that the


    food here is delicious. I''m sure you''ll find something that you like—be it sour, sweet, or spicy—and I''d


    be more than happy to order something for you. You won''t be disappointed as this ce has something


    special to offer for every taste.”


    Cayden gave her a long look. “Thanks for the offer, Ms. Nicole, but I don''t have anything particr that


    I like. You can order anything. I''ll be fine.”


    Nicole was bing increasingly frustrated as she heard him continually refer to her as “Ms. Nicole.”


    Cayden had never addressed Avery as “Ms. Rumpley,” yet he insisted on ignoring her requests. She


    felt powerless and exasperated that he didn''t listen to her.


    However, that was precisely why she was attracted to him.


    I have all the time in the world since Avery is no longer with him. I can slowly persuade him to change


    his mind.


    With that thought in mind, Nicole felt much better.


    In an effort to alleviate the tension in the air, she ordered a selection of sumptuous main dishes,


    desserts, and drinks. Despite being small in quantity, the food was of exceptional quality.


    The server soon served their food and retreated politely.


    Nicole started tasting the dishes.


    As Cayden only sipped on his drink, she asked carefully, “Cayden, why did Ms. Rumpley call off the


    engagement? Was I wrong to assume that you were both a loving couple? Why did she change her


    mind?”


    Cayden couldn''t help but inwardly sneer as he looked at Nicole''s overly pretentious expression.


    However, he maintained a nonchnt attitude as he answered, “It''s nothing. I can''t undo what has


    happened, no matter how much I''d like to. I suppose I didn''t do enough to give her a sense of security.


    That''s likely why she insisted on leaving me.”


    After hearing his answer, Nicoleforted him, “It''s fine. Since Ms. Rumpley wanted to leave, let her


    be. She was foolish enough to give up on someone as capable as you. Many women in Ackleton would


    die to marry you. You might''ve lost one unremarkable sapling, but the forest is waiting for you.”


    “Oh? Do the trees in the forest include you, Ms. Nicole?” Cayden''sshes lowered, concealing the


    emotions in his eyes.


    He never wanted any forest as all he wanted was Avery.


    All the while, his heart was shrouded in darkness and iciness. If a forest had the misfortune of sprouting


    in his heart, it would soon wither and die. Although Avery was initially fragile and feeble, she was


    strong-willed and had nted herself deep in his deste heart. With time and patience, she slowly


    refreshed his formerly cold heart like growing nts on barrennd.


    Knowing Nicole was trying to sound him out, Cayden gazed at her and brushed her off quickly.


    However, his expression was frosty.


    One day, she''ll pay the price for her foolish actions!