CHAPTER 118: VISIT TO BEAUTY’S CHILDHOOD HOME TOWN

After being out for so long, my stomach was growling with hunger.

I stopped by a nearby countryside eatery and ordered a grilled fish along with some local specialties.

Lucas, who was dining in such a humble place for the first time, clearly stood out like a sore thumb.

"Hey!

Sure, the decor here isn’t as fancy as a five-star hotel, but the people are warm, and the place is spotless.

Stop wiping the tableware with your Hermès handkerchief—people are gonna think you’ve got issues!"

Seeing Lucas’s obsessive cleanliness acting up again, Beauty snatched the utensils from his hands and shot him an exaggerated eye roll.

A quick glance confirmed the bowls and spoons had just come out of the sterilizer—they were perfectly clean.

What was the point of scrubbing them with a designer handkerchief?

Lucas shot her a wounded look.

"Not everyone has your... relaxed standards."

"*My* standards?

You’re the one who’s over the top—borderline germophobic!

There’s nothing wrong with these utensils.

And don’t you dare look down on this place.

The food here is authentic, way better than any five-star hotel."

"Ah... the young lady’s right," chimed in the middle-aged waitress with a warm smile.

"We may not be as fancy as those high-end hotels, but our flavors are the real deal.

You two lovebirds must be from the city, huh?

Everything here is affordable and delicious."

*Pfft—* Beauty nearly spat out her mango juice.

*Lovebirds?!*

This auntie clearly needed her eyes checked.

She shot Lucas a frosty glare, only to catch him ducking his head to hide a smirk.

Huffing, she turned away, her cheeks tinged with pink.

Being mistaken for a couple for the first time left her oddly flustered.

Somehow, in this simple, wholesome place, her usual thick skin had thinned.

"Son, your girl’s a real looker!

You’re a lucky man!

But you’re quite the handsome lad yourself—got that successful air about you.

She’s lucky too!"

The owner turned on the stove and brought out a large fish stew.

Beauty couldn’t help but swallow hard at the sight of the pot of spaghetti.

Once the pot began to boil, she couldn’t wait any longer.

She picked up a piece of fish with her spoon and popped it into her mouth, closing her eyes in satisfaction.

"Why aren’t you eating?

The flavor is so authentic—it’s been ages since I’ve tasted something this close to home."

Now, she could talk about her hometown without hesitation.

This trip had erased all the bitter memories of her childhood, replacing them with a newfound love for this picturesque place and its warm, simple-hearted people.

There were no schemes or power struggles like in New York’s social circles—just a life that felt rich and fulfilling.

But she knew this happiness was temporary.

Once she left, she’d have to return to that cutthroat city where every inch of land was worth its weight in gold.

Struggling to establish herself, surviving, just getting by—that was reality.

"Do you remember the past?"

Suddenly, Lucas set down his spoon and lifted his gaze to meet hers.

His thin lips parted slightly, then pressed together again in silence for a few seconds before he finally spoke.

"Not very clearly.

All I remember is growing up without a mother.

My father left me when I was seven or eight, and then I was sent to live with my grandfather in the county.

Later, your late grandpa took me into his home.

My childhood was just... drifting from place to place.

Being abandoned over and over, then taken in by someone else."

A shadow of sorrow crossed his face.

His fingers tightened around his glass, the veins on his arm faintly trembling.

Lucas reached over and refilled her juice, his eyes flickering with unreadable emotion.

"From now on, as long as I’m here, no one will abandon you again," he said quietly.

Her heart skipped a beat, but she quickly lowered her head.

"You’re just my legal guardian under contract.

Once I graduate, our agreement ends.

You won’t have to worry about me anymore."

"We’ll talk about that when the time comes," he replied, his voice calm.

"Who knows? Maybe I’ll be taking care of you under a different title by then."

His words were simple, but they left Beauty momentarily dazed.

What on earth did he mean by that?

Did he actually think of her as his girlfriend?

She had finally broken free from the Marson family’s gilded cage.

Though she’d lived comfortably there all these years, lacking nothing—except her freedom.

But that wasn’t what she wanted.

She refused to be trapped in a luxurious prison, no matter how beautiful it seemed.

Beauty tilted her head up, her eyes crinkling with a bright, teasing smile.

"Hey, old man, you’re not seriously thinking of turning this act into reality, are you?

I never intended to be your actual girlfriend.

I was just playing along in front of your family.

Don’t tell me you actually fell for it—or for me?"

The question she’d buried in her heart for days finally spilled out.

For some reason today, she wasn’t afraid of him anymore.

Not afraid of angering him, either.

Instead, she found herself confiding in him as if he were someone she could trust.

Lucas flicked her forehead sharply, his voice icy.

"Don’t flatter yourself.

I only said you’re my woman—not that I have feelings for you.

Do you really think you’re that charming?"

Beauty rolled her eyes internally.

Whatever tiny shred of goodwill she’d felt toward him vanished instantly.

"I know who you really like—it’s Cassandra, isn’t it?

I think the two of you would make a great match.

You’re so close, after all..." Remembering how openly Cassandra had confessed her feelings for Lucas in front of her, Beauty pursed her lips before continuing.

Lucas smirked coldly, neither confirming nor denying it.

If this little fool was already convinced of that, then why not play along?

Let her think about what she wanted—for now.

By the time they finished dinner, it was late.

The daytime bustle of cars and crowds had faded, replaced by the quiet beauty of the night.

Occasionally, couples strolled past them on the street, their curious glances lingering on the two of them.

Lucas searched for the best hotel nearby.

Though it couldn’t compare to those in New York, it was still considered one of the most luxurious options in the area.

For someone who always booked presidential suites in seven-star hotels during business trips, today would mark the first exception he’d ever made.

"Hello, how many rooms would you like?

We have our finest VIP suite available, complete with a workspace and a separate lounge area.

You can choose between a king-size bed or twin beds—perfect for a cozy and romantic evening together," the female receptionist gushed, her eyes practically glued to Lucas.

One glance at his impeccable attire told her he was wealthy, and she immediately flashed her most charming smile while pitching the VIP suite.

Lucas hesitated for barely half a second before lifting his deep, penetrating eyes and replying coolly, "Then we’ll take one VIP suite—the one with twin beds.

What do you think?"

He had already made the decision, yet he still asked for her opinion—as if it mattered.

Beauty scoffed inwardly.