Chapter 99
“Hm?” Kaneeta snapped back to herself, looking at him in shock.
“Mr. Hartwell, was that you speaking just now?”
Those words really didn’t sound like something Woodrow
would say.
“Is there anyone else here besides the two of us?” Woodrow said,
lowering his eyes to sip his tea.
Kaneeta’s fingertips unconsciously traced the rim of the celadon
teacup. The warmth of the tea seeped through the thin
porcelain, soothing her cool fingers, but it couldn’t calm her
suddenly frantic heartbeat.
She looked at Woodrow’s slightly furrowed brow. The usual
cold indifference in his expression was softened by the warm
yellow light, revealing a hint of grievance that was almost
imperceptible.
“Sorry,” Kaneeta said, a little guilty. “I was just thinking about
work.””
“Ms. Drayton,” Woodrow gazed at her, “actually, when it’s time
to rest, you can really relax.”
Chapter 99
Kaneeta was taken aback.
She suddenly realized that even though it was clearly break time, she still couldn’t help but think about work.
Partly, it was her nature–she always took her responsibilities
seriously; but perhaps, it was also a habit she had developed
over the past five years.
Back when she was at the Kuntz Group, in order to help
Edmund’s career advance, she always had to pour a tremendous
amount of energy into her work.
Working overtime until the early hours was routine. When her
stomach hurt so much she curled up in the office, Edmund
would only have his assistant send over some stomach medicine
or plain congee, along with a perfunctory word of concern.
The door of the private room was knocked, and the waiters
entered, placing the dishes they had ordered one by one on the
table. The lead waiter respectfully said, “Please enjoy your meal.
If you need anything, just ring the bell,” then left with the
others.
Woodrow ladled a bowl of soup and placed it in front of
Kaneeta.
“Try this.”
Chapter 99
Kaneeta scooped up a spoonful and tasted it. The warm broth
slid down her throat, and even her heart felt a little warmer.
It was raining outside, the sound of raindrops on the gray tiles
becoming the background music in the private room.
Woodrow then used the serving chopsticks to place a piece of
steamed shad into Kaneeta’s bowl. The fish bones had all been
carefully removed, even the tiny soft ones.
“Mr. Hartwell, you don’t have to go to such trouble,” Kaneeta
said. “I can do it myself.”
“It’s no trouble,” Woodrow replied naturally. “It’s only right to
care for one’s fiancée.”
Kaneeta’s heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively tightened
her grip on the spoon.
Fiancée?
Indeed, the engagement between the two families had already
been settled. Although the Hartwell and Drayton families had
not officially announced it yet, calling her Woodrow’s “fiancée”
wasn’t wrong.
But she couldn’t help feeling that those three words carried a
subtle, lingering intimacy.
Chapter 99
She couldn’t quite say what she was feeling at that moment, but
she was certain she didn’t dislike it.
“When will the engagement between our families be
announced?” Kaneeta asked.
“Whenever you wish,” Woodrow said.
“Me?” Kaneeta was slightly startled. She had thought that such
matters would have already been decided by both families.
“Yes, everything will be according to your wishes,” Woodrow
said gently. “You don’t need to feel any pressure. Just follow
your heart.”
Kaneeta pressed her lips together. “Actually, Mr. Hartwell, you
don’t have to accommodate me like this. After all, this concerns
both our families.”
“Does Ms. Drayton think that an engagement is merely a family
transaction?”
Kaneeta didn’t know how to answer.
All along, that was indeed what she had thought.
5!
But now, looking into Woodrow’s eyes, she suddenly couldn’t
say it.
Chapter 99
The memories of her time spent with Woodrow replayed in her mind. She had considered that his constant care and protection was simply because of their engagement, but somehow, it never
seemed quite that simple.
She didn’t answer, and Woodrow showed no displeasure at all;
his tone remained gentle.
“Alright, don’t daydream. Let’s eat first.”
