bChapter /bb276 /b

    Sebastian didn’t reply. Instead, he quietly set out another set of cutlery, turned to Vivian, who was sitting beside him, and saidb, /bb“/bThere are the traditional Hathnd breakfasts. Would you like to try some as well?”

    Vivian shook her head curtly. “No thanks. Bread is fine”

    Vivian thought to herself, ‘Sebastian is absolutely the person I hate most, bar none! I would never ept anything from him, not even the bfood /bhe prepared. Though I have to admit, those bowls of oatmeal and pancakes do look delicious!

    Lisa came downstairs, her eyes lighting up at thevish spread on the table. “Wow! Hathndian breakfast! I’ve only seen this online before

    W was a newly popr video tform overseas where many celebrities posted videos. Even beforeing to Hathnd, she had already seen food vlogs about these breakfasts there.

    From that moment on, she swore she’d have a taste. But ever since the two of them returned to Hathnd, they’d been having so much fun bthat /bthey almost always slept in until nearly noon, so she still hadn’t had the chance to try it.

    Lisa plopped down on the chair, looked eagerly at Sebastian, and asked, “Can I try some?”

    Sebastian smiled and said, “Of course, help yourselves! bI /bgot these for you all. Thanks for looking after Maxine these days”

    Maxine’s spoon hovered mid–air for a moment, but in the end, she let his presumptuously familiar tone slide without correction.

    Vivian, however, let out an irritable snort.

    Lisa ignored Vivianpletely. She plopped down, grabbed some food from the table, and took a big bite. Her eyes lit up right away. “This is amazing!

    Like a considerate waiter, Sebastian took a steaming pancake from the insted container and handed bit /bover with a warm smile. “Try this one too, bit’s /bdelicious. Maxine always loved this best,” he said.

    She took a bite of the pancake, then sipped some milk. The vors were so amazing, tears nearly came to her eyes. This is so deliciousb, /bbI /bcould honestly cry,’ she thought, overwhelmed by how good everything tasted.

    Almost instantly, Lisa found herself warming up to Maxine’s ex–husband. ‘How could someone who loves food this much possibly have any bad intentions?‘ she thought.

    After taking a few bites, Lisa suddenly remembered the kids. She hastily swallowed her food and asked, “Oh right, where’s Jessica?”

    Sebastian smiled reassuringly and said, “Scott took Brian to school, and Jessica didn’t want to be left behind, so she tagged along. Don’t worry, I just called them, they’ll be back soon.”

    He hesitated for a moment, then turned to Maxine and asked gently, “Would you consider having Jessica finish her studies here? I’d be happy to helpb./bb” /b

    Maxine didn’t even look up as she said curtly, “No, that’s not necessary. Jessica willplete her education overseasb. /bI’ve already made arrangements with the school there.”

    Maxine thought to herself, ‘Of course, thatst part was a lie. I’d still rather let Jessica make her own choice. Luckily, there are still a few years before bshe /bhas to decide. There’s time.‘

    Sebastian looked disappointed as ihe /iset down his things. “Alright,” he said softly, “I just thought Jessica might adjust better if she went to school here.b” /b

    Vivian snapped impatiently, “Jessica’s already halfway through her studies. If all goes well, she might even bget /b

    bkher /bbnext /bschool early.”

    She put down her bread, her voice stiff as she said, “I’ve got work at the office, Maxine, so I’ll head out first. I’ll bring byou /bbback /bsomething bnice /bbwhen /bI

    return.”

    Vivian said, “Lisa, don’t forget to contact your teacher for online sses when Maxine gets back. I think I’ve let byou /bbtwo /bby /bbaround /bblong /bbenough/b.”

    VIOL

    Vivian gave instructions to everyone, except Sebastian, who’d been ying waiter all morning