Chapter 227


    Agnes was usually the quiet one, so her sudden rebuttal took everyone by surprise


    Laura awkwardlyughed it off. “Why are you suddenly butting heads with me? Jared is, of course,


    family”


    Preston quickly interjected. “Let’s all sit down and have dinner Agnes, please, take a seat


    Jared just watched Agnes from the sidelines


    He was seated at the night of the host, Preston.


    And Beatrice had no qualms about taking the seat on the left.


    Preston chided, “Heatrice, don’t be so thoughtless. That seat should be for Agnes.”


    Beatrice retorted. “This has always been my spot. I’m used to sitting here”


    Agnes said nothing and took the seat farthest from Jared


    She didn’t even look at him.


    She didn’t understand why he had stormed off yesterday and then showed up out of the blue today.


    What was he here for?


    Laura quickly changed the subject, “Let’s enjoy the meal. Jared, I made this salmon especially for you.


    I chatted with Agnes before, and she mentioned that this is your favonte”.


    Jared replied indifferently. “Thank you, Ms. Laura.”


    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    Laura’s expression faltered when she heard him call her Ms Laura


    He regarded Preston as his father-inw, but he still called her Ms Laura.


    Just because Agnes refused to call her mom, he followed suit


    Agnes just quietly ate her food, unbothered by the drama.


    Jared spent the dinner chatting with Preston, discussing stocks, financing, and real estate prices.


    Beatrice kept interrupting, but herments were often ridiculous.


    Laura served another dish, roasted lobster.


    The crustacean’s shell was hard and prickly, making it difficult to peel, but it was Beatrice’s favorite


    dish.


    She pricked her finger while peeling the lobster, drawing blood


    Beatrice held out her finger to Jared, “Look, I pricked my finger”


    Jared replied nonchntly, “Put a band-aid on it.”


    Beatrice giggled. “Thanks for your concern.”


    And then Jared started peeling the lobster


    He chatted with Preston while effortlessly peeling the lobster.


    Beatrice thought Jared’s movements were graceful. His long fingers, his unhurried movements gave off


    an indescribable rxed aura. The peeled lobster went into a new te glistening and translucent, and


    Jared’s fingers remained oil-free.


    Beatrice couldn’t contain her happiness when she mentioned her pricked finger, and Jared took it upon


    himself to peel the lobster for her. A sense of anticipation welled up inside her, and the feeling only


    grew stronger as time passed. After a while, Jared stopped, wiped his hands with a wet napkin, and


    naturally handed the te to Beatrice It was meant for her, and she was overjoyed, eager to reach out


    and savor the dish


    “Thank you Beatrice started to say, but her words were cut short as Jared said nonchntly. “Give it to


    Agnes”


    In an instant, Beatrice’s face turned pale


    But Jared gave her a polite smile, “Thank you”


    Beatrice managed a strained smile, “Sure”


    Saying that, she got up and camed the te over to Agnes.


    Despite trying to control herself, she still mmed the te down in front of Agnes her voice dripping


    with sarcasm, “Agnes, Jared is so considerate, night? You’re so lucky.”