CHAPTER 166: CHAPTER 166: RESORT VILLA

Seraphina looked at Desmond in exasperation: "Since we’re in Floratown now, your development of this resort doesn’t make much sense."

"The climate here is indeed spring-like all year round, but most tourists only come in winter. Wouldn’t it be better if they could come to cool off?" Desmond didn’t see this investment as a futile effort.

"Even if what you say makes sense, have you considered that while many people are willing to travel, plenty prefer to stay home? Although cooling off in summer is enticing, this place is a tourist hotspot, so I doubt many will come here for hot springs in such a mild climate."

Seraphina disagreed with Desmond’s perspective. As a place already rich in tourism opportunities, a resort wouldn’t add much value here, she believed.

Desmond smiled and shook his head: "You don’t need to worry about this. Since I’m taking on this project, I have ways to make you a fortune."

"Desmond, I’m telling you, don’t be impulsive." Seraphina looked at him earnestly, "Forget about this place, and let’s not talk about that forest we saw earlier either. I’m genuinely not optimistic about its prospects."

"Once it officially opens, we’ll see how the prospects are, won’t we?" Desmond pulled Seraphina close, asking her to relax, "If we don’t profit within three months of opening, I’ll take your advice, how about that?"

Desmond seemed meticulous and unlikely to embark on a venture without benefits, so Seraphina pondered for a couple of seconds before agreeing.

Seraphina leaned against Desmond, feeling the warmth of his body. She intended to break the intimate atmosphere with some words, but her stomach suddenly issued a discordant sound.

Despite being a powerhouse in the commercial world, she couldn’t help but feel embarrassed.

Desmond didn’t laugh at her; instead, he empathetically said, "Food is the essence of life. Even a goddess needs to fill her belly."

"At least you know how to speak." Seraphina clenched her delicate fist, as if ready to punch Desmond if he said the wrong thing.

"Come with me." Desmond wrapped his arm around Seraphina’s slender waist and led her outside.

She had been following Desmond’s lead all day while in a daze, and now she was accustomed to it, too lazy to even ask questions. After all, Desmond wouldn’t sell her off.

The two walked through a corridor for what seemed like ages until they arrived at a serene pavilion.

Seraphina hadn’t reached it yet, but her keen sense of smell detected the aroma of the dishes.

"Take a look inside." Desmond motioned toward the door for Seraphina to open it.

Seraphina raised an eyebrow: "Then I won’t be polite."

Her delicate hand pushed the door open, revealing a scene that made her mouth gape: "Is this prepared for me?"

The pavilion wasn’t small, and its elegant decor made her feel as if she’d entered the dwelling of a literary scholar.

A dozen mahogany tables were arranged inside, each retaining its natural look. Their varied shapes didn’t appear chaotic, instead enhancing the classical ambiance.

Seraphina looked down at her modern-looking robe, regretting not buying a qipao to wear.

No time for regrets, Desmond had already ushered her to a seat. Immediately, servers in Chinese element dresses emerged carrying plates of gourmet food.

The dishes were unique, and in all her twenty plus years, Seraphina had never seen them.

Each server presented a dish while offering a detailed introduction, captivating Seraphina, who knew nothing about cooking.

"Try it. These dishes are the chefs’ creations, and I’m curious if they suit your taste." Desmond, acting as a diligent server, handed each dish to Seraphina.

Seraphina was delighted by his service, so each bite she took was followed by elaborated feedback on the dish’s flavors.

Sampling over a hundred dishes, with only a bite of each, Seraphina was thoroughly stuffed.

Afterward, she rubbed her swollen belly and gave Desmond a resigned look: "Shouldn’t you be paying me a salary?"

"What salary?" Desmond feigned ignorance.

"Oh, Desmond, I thought I was really here for a holiday. Turns out you brought me to be a taste tester? Should I also write a review report for you?"

Seraphina snorted in dissatisfaction; she initially thought she came for a simple vacation, but she now understood that Desmond was using her as a tool.

Though the experience wasn’t bad, the idea that Desmond’s main purpose was for her to evaluate the dishes left her very unhappy.

"If that’s possible, it would be perfect." Desmond’s serious demeanor suggested he wasn’t joking.

Seeing this, Seraphina was speechless.

A merchant without trickery could hardly be called a merchant. Bringing his wife on a vacation and still asking her to write a review—is this even human?

She thought she’d forgive him if he apologized, but now it seemed unnecessary.

Angry to the point of wanting to leave, Seraphina was pulled back into Desmond’s warm embrace the moment she attempted to get up.

"Silly girl, I was teasing you. While having you help with evaluations is part of the reason, I mainly wanted you to take a break." Desmond hurriedly reassured her upon seeing she was genuinely upset.

Seraphina glanced at him half-believingly: "Are you serious?"

Desmond raised his hand to swear: "If there’s a single lie, may I be struck by lightning..."

"What nonsense!" Seraphina quickly covered his mouth. Despite being in the twenty-first century and unperturbed by superstition, she instinctively didn’t want Desmond to curse himself.

Her fingertips pressed against Desmond’s lips, and he, inexplicably, gave her fingers a gentle lick.

Seraphina immediately withdrew her hand, feeling as though a current had rippled through her fingers, causing her whole body to shiver.

Desmond, realizing what he had done, was momentarily stunned, wanting to utter an apology, but observed Seraphina sitting in a daze before him with flushed cheeks.

Despite having experienced more intimate things, Seraphina was still prone to shyness.

Before Desmond could speak, she regained her composure and shook her head at him: "I’m okay!"

For some reason, Seraphina had been eagerly looking forward to their time together before coming here. Now that they’re truly alone, she feels an overwhelming sense of flirtation in the air that makes her unable to look directly at Desmond.

At home, their interactions felt more natural, but here, with no one around, they were strangely restrained.

What puzzled Seraphina was that when faced with someone she felt helpless yet thrilled around, she had unknowingly fallen deeply for him.