I heard about the Crest family from Ashton. Though the Crest family had begun as a family of academics, its subsequent generations had made exceptional achievements in various fields ranging from business to medicine. They were well-known everywhere.
Over the years, the Crest family had gained extensive control over W City. Jared’s return to W City would thus serve two purposes—he would be able to spend more time with his family as well as partake in his family’s business.
This is all well and good, but what about Kristina?
Just as my thoughts drifted in that direction, Kristina appeared as if my mind had summoned her out of thin air. There weren’t many customers in the Ferropenian restaurant, so her arrival was hard to miss.
After all, an impeccably dressed pregnant lady who still emanated a youthful air was an eye-catching sight.
I wanted to ignore her presence so we could have a peaceful meal.
However, it seemed like she had purposely dropped by to look for us. After she passed the front counter, she headed immediately for our table.
She looked at us with a sweet smile pasted on her face. “Jared, you’re eating here too?”
It may look like a coincidence, but it’s starting to seem more likely that she planned this. After all, why would a pregnant lady come all the way to a restaurant to eat alone?
Jared frowned as he nodded. His expression was wooden. “You’re here alone?”
She nodded and answered in a velvety tone, “I got bored at home, and you weren’t answering my calls. So, I decided to come out myself.”
“Have a seat then,” Jared spoke flatly as he ordered a steak for her.
When the steaks were served, Ashton carefully placed Summer on the seat next to his before gracefully cutting the steak.
Summer didn’t know how to cut a steak, and I was too lazy, so I usually let him do it for her.
Jared placed some cut pieces of steak on Summer’s plate as he spoke to her gently, “Summer, do you mind eating the ones that I’ve cut?”
Summer hesitated for a moment before nodding.
Kristina was cutting her steak and frowned at the sight of Jared’s actions. She seemed displeased. She transferred her steak to Jared’s plate and smiled at him. “Jared, my arms have been feeling so sore these few days. Won’t you help me cut my steak?”
Jared’s brows furrowed as he ate a bite of his steak. He looked around for a waiter and waved one over.
The waiter arrived at the table and inquired politely, “Sir, is there anything I can help you with?”
“Could you please cut this steak up, thank you.”
Oh wow, he’s actually asking a waiter to do it.
I chanced a glance at Kristina, who had paled and appeared humiliated.
Since it was requested by a customer, the waiter could only smile meekly as he cut up the steak.
The atmosphere instantly became awkward.
Ashton seemed to ignore everyone else at the table as he carefully placed cut pieces of steak on my plate. He spoke gently, “Just eat. Don’t get distracted.”
I nodded as I tore my attention away from them.
Summer looked at me, then turned to look at Kristina. I had no idea what was going on in that head of hers.
She suddenly asked, “Mr. Crest, do you not love this lady?”
I almost spit out the water I had drank. This kid doesn’t have a filter at all.
Kristina’s face paled as she lowered her gaze and chewed her lips. She looked utterly humiliated but somehow managed to squeeze out a smile.
Jared raised his brows and looked at Summer. “Do you know what love is?”
Summer nodded. “Uncle John told me. He said that if a boy loves a girl, he’ll take care of her. Just like how Mr. Fuller loves my mommy. He always takes care of her by helping her cuts her steak or cooks for her. He also calls her a lot to check if she’s ok.”
Looks like John literally teaches her everything.
At her words, Ashton’s lips curved upwards in a smile. “Your Uncle John has pretty good observation skills.”
Heh!
Summer nodded and continued earnestly, “Of course. He said that I need to learn to be observant so that I’ll know if a boy loves me or not. Only then can I be happy.”
“Summer, less talking, more eating,” I cut in after seeing Kristina’s dismal expression.
Pregnant women are prone to mood swings. I don’t particularly like her but I’m not going to agitate or provoke her on purpose.
Summer hummed in acknowledgement and started eating.
Jared’s gaze fell on Summer as he appeared to be deep in thought. I didn’t know if it was on purpose or not, but he suddenly blurted, “That candor! Just like her!”
I frowned, knowing that he was referring to Macy. It’s a bit pointless to be bringing that up now, though.
I made an excuse and left for the restroom.
Humans are strange beings. We don’t appreciate things when we have them, yet we scramble for scraps when what we have is truly gone. What an irony.
Kristina followed me to the restroom with an upset expression on her face. “Since you’ve already adopted her, why must you parade her around and ruin other people’s lives?”
Shocked, I turned to look at her. I asked with a frown, “Ruin people’s lives?”
I couldn’t help a mirthless laugh from escaping. “First of all, let’s be clear that you won’t meet anyone who’s more reluctant to let him meet Summer than me. As for today’s meal, he begged me to let him eat with Summer. And now you’re blaming me?”
She looked at me as she sighed, “I hope we can avoid each other from now on. You can live happily with this child in K City. Just don’t appear in my life ever again.”
