CHAPTER 264: A FUN GATHERING

When Ella changed into a fresh pair of clothes and went downstairs, she finally remembered what she was forgetting earlier.

Everyone was already seated around the dining table. Kade’s handsome face looked constipated. Adrian sat in his spot like an uncaring Greek God. And Ronan looked at the empty dining table with silent grievances.

The moment Ella took a seat, the empty dining table started filling up with a variety of dishes.

Ronan tried to hold his tongue but eventually he looked at Adrian, "Ace, do you intend to starve yourself if she doesn’t join you on the dining table someday?"

"Yes."

Kade: "_"

Ella: *speechless*

Ronan: "_" Forget I asked anything.

Ronan was about to say something again when he felt a heavy gaze on him. He glanced at Ella.

Ella averted her gaze and cleared her throat, "Baby, you all can start eating. I will have my dinner later."

Ronan picked up the spoon. Ace might just make us all starve along with her. It’s better if I start eating.

Adrian lifted his gaze and looked at the girl, arching an eyebrow.

"Ruby is on her way. I will eat with her," Ella added.

’Clang’

The spoon dropped from Ronan’s hand.

Three pairs of eyes shot in his direction.

"Cough... I am also not hungry. We can just wait it out," Ronan casually said.

Ella opened her mouth to speak but no words came out.

At this moment, Bertha’s voice came from the entrance.

"Miss Ambrose, how have you been?"

"I am good. Are you doing well...?" Ruby asked the woman.

"Of course... Please, come this way, Miss Yu must be impatient to meet you," Bertha added with a smile.

Ruby’s gaze shifted to the dining table where she spotted Ella.

A small smile crept on her cold face. But just a moment later, the smile faded when she spotted Ronan on the same table.

Ella closed her eyes, dreading her decision to call Ruby over. Earlier, in her excitement, she had completely forgotten that Ronan was here too.

After the incident that happened in the university some time ago, Ella did not know if Ruby and Ronan could get along properly.

When Adrian was unwell a few weeks ago, Ronan and Ruby had feigned civility. And Ella was also too concerned about Adrian to pay attention to the tension between the duo.

But this time—

"Ruby, you should have told me earlier that you were coming over, you know. I would have made some preparations," Kade naturally walked over to Ruby.

"Preparations?" Ruby looked at him.

"This is the first time we are meeting out of university, now you know who I am and you are not holding a grudge against me for hiding it from you. I would naturally do my best to make preparations to welcome you here, Imperial Goddess," Kade flashed a charming smile.

Ruby gave him a look.

Kade laughed and guided Ruby naturally towards the dining table.

Since the moment Ruby had stepped inside, Ronan’s gaze had been fixated on her face.

But now, it finally shifted to Kade’s hand that was resting on the small of her back.

"Here..." Ella pulled out the chair next to her for Ruby.

Ruby and Adrian acknowledged each other with a single nod.

Much to Ella’s relief, the dinner went smoothly, with Kade constantly breaking the ice in the air.

For once, Ella was grateful that Kade was present.

Or no matter how thick skinned she was, she would have felt heavily suffocated in such a situation.

After dinner, Adrian and Ronan retreated to the study for work.

Meanwhile, Ella, Kade and Ruby occupied the couch in the living room.

Riri and Lala circled around the couch, playing with each other.

"Oh my god!" Kade gasped in awe as he flipped through the pages of the comic book that contained their entire syllabus for History.

After endless pestering, he had made Ella show them all the books.

"This is actually... Brother actually printed out comic books just to help you study for exams. Even I deserve a husband like this!"

Ella: "_"

Ruby: "_"

Suddenly, Kade’s face dropped and he slumped back on the couch, "But regardless of anything, I doubt I can make it to Top 10 this time. Does that mean... my money is gone forever?"

Ella opened her mouth to speak but Kade spoke up again.

"Wait! No matter what, I am still my brother’s younger brother. I don’t believe that I haven’t gotten the slightest of his intellectual genes."

At this moment, the weather outside changed gradually.

A gust of cold wind howled past the windows, rattling the panes

The servants immediately ran around to close all the windows.

"Is it about to rain?" Ella peeked outside?"

Bertha walked towards them, "Miss Yu, the weather forecast did reveal about an impending storm in the northern regions. But it seems like the storm has changed direction."

Ella nodded, "That’s fine. Close all the doors and windows and you all also go take some rest."

"Yes, some of us would be here in the main residence in case you need something."

Ella was about to turn her down and ask her to rest as well.

But seeing the determined look on her face, Ella was certain that Bertha would not leave them unattended.

Inside the mansion, warmth flickered from the fireplace, casting long shadows across the living room walls.

Kade stretched, standing up from the rug. "Okay, this feels like a sign from heaven that I should not stress myself out," he announced, flashing his signature grin. "Exams are in a week. But tonight... we chill."

Ella raised a brow from her spot on the couch. "We are already chilling. It’s you who is going through 7 collapses in 7 seconds."

Kade fell speechless, "Forget that. For tonight, how about we have some fun?"

Footsteps echoed as Adrian and Ronan descended the stairs. Ronan leaned on the banister, eyes narrowed.

"What fun?" Ronan leaned on the banister, eyes narrowed as he gazed at Kade who was sitting next to Ruby.

Kade’s grin widened, a little wicked now. "Games."

Ella gave a lazy shrug. "Sure. Why not? I could use a distraction."

"But..."

Adrian cut Ronan off, "Alright."

...

A/N: I don’t know about y’all, but Kade is literally me a few nights before exams. First, I drown in stress, then I just raise my hands and leave everything to fate lol.

Also, sweeties, a new month is about to begin, and I just want to say thank you for all the love and support you showed last month. Every power stone, golden ticket, comment, review, and gift... it all means the world to me.

The creative process isn’t always easy. There are days of burnout, sickness, and chaos, but your encouragement keeps me going. Truly, thank you for being here with me.

If you’re enjoying Ella and Adrian’s journey so far, please continue to support them. Because I promise... things are about to get wild~ 3