CHAPTER 57: CHAPTER 57: BETWEEN WYATT AND HIM, SERENA CHOSE WYATT!

"Didn’t we agree that I’d treat you to a meal? How can I let you pay?"

The vaccine money transferred to Julian Rivera has expired several times, and he still hasn’t received it.

And now there’s this meal.

Serena Sinclair looked embarrassed and turned to ask the waiter for the bill amount.

The waiter glanced at Julian Rivera repeatedly and scurried off.

Julian Rivera stepped forward, "Sis, it’s our own place, and you’d have to pay? If word got out, wouldn’t my pride as your brother be ruined?"

Only then did Serena realize it was Julian’s restaurant.

Serena felt even more embarrassed, "That restaurant on Saturday, it isn’t also yours, is it...?"

"Nope."

Julian shook his head.

Serena let out a sigh of relief, "Then on Saturday, don’t try to compete with me for the tab."

Julian nodded, "Alright."

Not insisting further, Serena waved goodbye and prepared to leave.

Just then, she heard Julian complain with a displeased look, "Has anyone checked with the chef yet?! Is he waiting for the chicken to lay the egg for the century egg and lean pork congee, or is he off raising a pig to make pork?"

Century egg and lean pork congee.

Her heart stirred, Serena turned back to Julian and asked, "Is that order for Wyatt Hawthorne?"

It’s not.

But it could be.

Thinking of Wyatt storming off, in his speeding Maybach like a rocket.

Julian promptly changed his answer, "...Yes."

"What’s wrong with him?"

"Not sure, he looked really upset when I saw him this afternoon. He didn’t want to eat together, just drove off claiming... he had to rush home to take care of his child."

Serena’s heart softened.

She had witnessed Wyatt’s finickiness with food herself.

Returning to Hillcrest Villa at this time, if the chef couldn’t make congee to his taste, he would be sent away just like before.

But even when he’s feeling unwell, he’s still mindful about going back to care for 2S.

"Why don’t you ask the chef if it’s done? If not, I’ll go with you to check."

After speaking with Julian.

Serena turned to Evan Cole, "Evan, you can head back first. I live nearby, so after I’m done, I can get home myself."

Evan Cole glanced at Julian Rivera, then looked at Serena.

That morning in the office, with just a few words, Evan understood all the changes Serena and Selene Summers had gone through in recent years.

A father addicted to gambling, a mother in prison, a cheating husband, and her shattered life.

Initially thought Serena now to be like a muddy sunburst blossom.

With care and time, she would surely bloom radiantly once more like before.

But Julian’s appearance shattered Evan’s perception.

Opening such an exclusive restaurant in Aethelgard, where every inch is worth gold, isn’t just a matter of money anymore.

Yet such a man not only seems familiar with Serena but also adopts a humble posture.

If it were Adrian Lockwood’s connections, treating Serena like this post-divorce would be highly unusual.

And then there was Julian’s mention of ’bro’.

Wyatt Hawthorne.

The individual who made Serena anomalously concerned.

What troubled Evan the most was Serena choosing Wyatt over him.

Curiosity sparked by that surname arose but remained suppressed.

Evan nodded, "Alright!"

Turning and leaving decisively.

As Serena turned back, she saw Julian carrying several takeaway bags toward her.

The playboy young master wore an expression of helplessness, "The plain porridge is still cooking, the chef said it needs simmering for two hours..."

Serena: ...

The Cullinan roared out and, within half an hour, drove into Hillcrest Villa.

When Serena and Julian entered, they saw Wyatt’s back.

Wyatt was seated on the floor by the floor-to-ceiling windows, gazing out into the night.

2S nestled comfortably in his arms, purring softly.

On the other side of the floor sat a milk-white cake, partly eaten, seemingly stabbed indiscriminately countless times, laying in ruins.

Upon hearing the sound, Wyatt turned around.

The impatience in his eyes halted upon seeing Serena behind Julian.

2S darted toward her before he did.

Wyatt stood up slowly, "What brings you both here?"

"Worried you’d starve at home, Aethelgard would lose an outstanding young entrepreneur."

Julian responded, then leaned in close to Wyatt for a whisper, "Is ’century egg and lean pork congee’ some secret code between you and my sis-in-law? Why did she instantly rush to see you after I mentioned it?"

Century egg and lean pork congee.

Rushed instantly.

He instinctively glanced toward the bathroom.

In the sound of running water, the heart concealed by nighttime rustled, like tiny blossoms unfolding.

Wyatt pat Julian’s shoulder, "At least dad didn’t spoil you for nothing!"

Damn!!!

Just as Serena stepped out of the bathroom, Julian’s upcoming swear halted in his mouth.

"Wyatt, where are you feeling unwell?"

Serena asked Wyatt as she walked toward the kitchen.

Wyatt remained silent.

Serena seemed not to intend any probing, she briskly entered the kitchen, "Young Master Rivera packed lots of dishes, you two can take a bite first, the congee will be ready soon."

The restaurant’s chef takes hours to slowly simmer such a congee base.

Yet to Serena, century egg and lean pork congee is the nutritious upgrade of plain porridge, one of her go-to quick meals.

Indeed, Julian began unpacking the packed dishes one by one.

Wyatt picked up the cake that 2S was eyeing for a sneak nibble and tossed it into the bin, then washed his hands before returning to the table.

The scent of congee had already begun to spread around.

Serena had already eaten, she served up two bowls as it finished cooking.

One bowl handed to Wyatt.

Another placed in front of Julian.

A sentence "settle for this, it’s nothing fancy" was interrupted by Julian’s phone buzzing loudly.

"Hello? ... You’re all there?... Get lost! Gramps may have old cold leg but he’d still hobble over for the party!"

Who knows what was said on the other end, Julian quipped with a defiant tone.

He got up directly, "Bro, Sis, I’ve got things to handle, gotta go..."

As he spoke, Julian’s phone blared with another incoming call.

Serena didn’t even get the chance to bid farewell.

She watched as Julian, jesting on the phone, swapped shoes and stepped into the elevator.

In a blink, the villa fell silent.

The spoon stirred the congee in the bowl, suffusing the air with its familiar aroma.

Wyatt raised his eyes towards Serena, "Are you in a hurry? If you are, I can have the driver take you."

On the night grass, the delicate blooms hung weakly.

Wyatt gazed at Serena, his mind overwhelmed with images of her running happily toward Evan in twilight.

The man’s figure stood tall, maturity and stability felt even without seeing his face.

Seemingly like another Adrian Lockwood.

He could call her Serena.

And follow her playful banter with ease.

The effortless naturalness between them, like breathing, was something Wyatt never had.

A mere two-year age gap.

Yet like the deep Mariana Trench separating them.

Wyatt’s inner despair expanded, causing his mind to wilt further.

But then Serena sat naturally across from him, "No rush, I’ll keep you company..."

The night vanished.

The morning sun rose.

The hanging flowers were awakened by the sparkling morning dew.

Wyatt lifted his head, the darkness in his eyes instantly faded away.