Outside Savory House at night, denny waved her hand in front of Andrear’s face and asked, “Andrews, what’s got you bspacing /bbout/b?”

Andrew’s usually cold expression softened slightly as he gently smoothed her hair.

“Mr. Shea, are you really going to eat here?” Ethan frowned, eyeing the scene a crowd all using the same fongs to grab

food, which looked filthy.

He didn’t dare risk Andrew’s safety. After all, the entire Shea family’s future depended on Andrew. Besides, Ethan knew eating out was too dangerous, especially with Andrew’s sensitive stomach.

Andrew shot Ethan a sharp re and snapped coldly, “Ethan, you’re talking out of turn.”

“I’m sorry!” Ethan instinctively moved to bow.

Jenny giggled, “Ethan, we’re in public.”

Suddenly, Jenny pointed nearby and shouted, “She’s here.” The other two turned toward where she was pointing.

Olivia showed up in a vintage id coat over a simple white tee and jeans, finishing the look with ankle boots. She walked like she owned the sidewalk–every step cool and confident, impossible to ignore.

Ethan, standing behind Andrew, wore aplex expression. Having crossed Olivia before, he wondered if she’d retaliate. Forcing a smile, he said, “Hello, Ms. Summers.”

Olivia acknowledged him with a cool nod. “You’re early.”

“We are having dinner with you, and I’m excited about…” Ethan’s voice wilted under Olivia’s piercing gaze.

A frost–edged smile touched Olivia’s lips. “Excited about what?”

Ethan flinched. “N–not me! Mr. Shea-”

“Enough,” Andrew cut Ethan off, ncingzily at Ethan with a sh of warning in his eyes. Ethan snapped his mouth shut

instantly.

Olivia nodded slightly, watching Andrew’s next move.

“You’re finally here! Let’s hurry inside. I’ve missed you iso /imuch.” Jenny rushed forward and grabbed Olivia’s hand.

Before anyone could act, heavy footsteps echoed from behind Olivia. Sean moved in front of Olivia, clutching a big bag of snacks like a cat guarding its meal. He looked stunned by the sudden crowd of strangers.

Jenny yanked Sean’s cor, her eyes defiant. “Hey, get outta my way.”

“I… I…” Sean stammered, rubbing his eyes groggily.

“Stop it. Move aside now,” Jenny added.

b1/3 /b

bSean /bbyelled/bb, /blunging toward Jenny as if to take her on.

bSeeing /bthem about to sh, Olivia grabbed Sean’s cor and yanked him back. She smiled, “Dinner first. Weren’t you starvingb?/b”

At the word “dinner“, Sean nodded dazedly and shuffled inside.

Ethan saw Sean, who barely reached his waist, struggling with a huge bag. With a grin, he offered, “Hey, little one, let me help you with that.” But when he tried to lift the bag, he couldn’t budge it even after a minute of trying.

“A bit heavy, huh?” Ethan said with an awkward smile, rubbing his hands that were red from the strain as he kept at it. Just some snacks and drinks. How could they weigh so much?‘ he wondered.

Sean brushed him off and walked away with the bag. “Oh, that kid’s got some muscle,” Ethan said, trying to hide his embarrassment with a weak grin.

“Maybe you’re just weak,” Olivia said casually as she walked in.

Ethan felt like he’d taken a serious hit. “Mr. Shea, I…” he stammered, trying to get some reassurance.

“She’s right.” Andrew nced at him disdainfully. “You’re too weak,” he added, thinking it was time to strengthen his men’s training.

Ethan muttered, “Great.” And there he was, the only one feeling the sting.

The group made their way through the bustling lobby to a luxurious private room. “Good evening. Do you have a reservation?” the waiter inquired politely.

Olivia showed her membership code. “I dislike interruptions. Keep it quiet,” she said coolly.

The waiter’s eyes lit up at the membership. Deep down, he murmured, ‘It’s a top–tier member. I’ve only ever heard of tales of top–tier members and never seen one. Now, there’s one right in front of me.‘

“Sure! This way, please. If there’s anything you need, just let me know.” The waiter gestured eagerly.

He thought, ‘People can only be top–tier members here by spending over 1.5 million dors annually. Such clients are known forvish tips, often handing out about 30 thousand. If I nail this service, a single tip could be my pay for three whole months.‘

Once seated, Andrew faced Olivia across the table. Sean sat to her left and Jenny to her right, each ring at the other with open dislike.

Andrew stayed silent. He just sat there, tapping the table with his fingers, his gaze calm yet zing. It pressed down like a weight, but it never felt sharp.

Sean noticed him and leaned close to Olivia, stammering, “Who… who is he?”

Too busy skimming the menu to look up, Olivia tossed off an answer: “A patient’s family.”

Sean nodded, half understanding, and then nced at Andrew. He kept feeling Andrew gave off a quiet danger and those eyes of his held a storm.

Meat mattered more to bSean/b, however. He stabbed the menu, ordering everything in sight. But Jenny erased each pick bwith /bher pen. Neither gave an inch.

b“/bYou’re so childish.” Sean snapped, his stutter gone

b“/bWho’s the childish one here?” Jenny shot back. “You’re tiny, yet you eat like a truck. If your mouth worked half as well as your stomach, you’d be fine.”

“That’s enough. I’ll order.” Olivia lifted her eyes and turned to Sean. “No over–ordering today. Get cklisted againb, /band I’m leaving you home.”

Sean was small but ate like a wolf. Last time he sneaked off to an all–you–can–eat buffet, they banned him. Olivia had to drive across town to bring him home.

After being warned, Sean puffed his cheeks and took an angry sip of his drink. He thought he hadn’t eaten much.

Ethan stood to the side, barely breathing. The whole scene felt weird to him.

He thought to himself, ‘Mr. Shea is just sitting there, watching the others order. The two kids are loud, yet he looks rxed, even amused.

‘But, is Ms. Summers’s brother a stutterer? I suddenly feel bad for her. The Sherman family kicked her out when she was

down.

‘Now, as a poor student, she has to support herself and a disabled brother, and rumor has it that she also needs to take care of an old granny.‘

Ethan was a sensitive soul. The more he dwelt on it, the more he regretted how he’d hurt Olivia by giving her the bank

card.

Sean raised a brow and caught Ethan staring. He tilted his head as if to ask, “Who are you?”

“Uh, I’m working for the patient’s family…” Ethan’s voice trailed off. ‘No one gets the pain of a working stiff,‘ he wondered.

Sean nodded and went back to sipping his drink.

“That’s all, and bring one extra hot pot,” Olivia told the waiter, handing back the menu and asking for a pot of water.

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