Classic Novel
Chapter 2166
Chapter 2166
At the barbecue restaurant.
Norah climbed the stairs with a food box in hand, bursting into Xavier's room with pride shining in her eyes. She carefully laid out the dishes and said, "I've made chicken soup, specially learned it. Give it a taste, will you?"
Xavier sat up, a look of disdain crossing his face, "A grown man like me, drinking chicken soup?"
"Hey, don't be sexist, alright?" Norah chided, "What's wrong with a man having soup? Men have their weak moments too, you know. They need to nourish themselves."
Xavier raised an eyebrow at her, "Where'd you pick up that dirty line?"
Realizing what she'd said, Norah blushed slightly, "You're the one with your mind in the gutter!"
Xavier steered the conversation back, "The soup does smell good, I’ll give you that."
She handed him the soup, her eyes filled with anticipation, "Just try a sip, then tell me what you think?" Material © NôvelDrama.Org.
Xavier chuckled, "Why don't you try it? You’re using me as a guinea pig!"
"Can't you stop being so petty?" Norah laughed playfully, "When you make something yourself, you've got rose-tinted glasses on; you can't taste the real deal. That's why I need you!"
Taking the bowl from her, Xavier took a sip and kept a casual face, "Not bad!"
"Really?" Norah's eyes sparkled, "It's my first time making it, so maybe I do have a knack for cooking."
"Why would you need that knack? When will you ever need to cook?" Xavier said with a light smile.
"It's useful, you know. Making something for someone you like, it feels pretty good," Norah said casually yet with a hint of meaning, her gaze lowered.
Xavier continued to gulp down the soup, not indulging the conversation further.
Downstairs, Estelle and two others entered the restaurant.
It was peak lunchtime, and the place was packed with patrons. Damian and his team were bustling about.
Upon seeing Estelle, Damian immediately came over, looking respectful, "You’re here!"
His eyes then fell on Gabriel, someone he vaguely recognized. After greeting them, he remembered that on the day their boss returned, this man had brought him back to the restaurant, and they had a lengthy conversation upstairs.
Xavier was icy and resolute, giving people an air of superior aloofness, which made Damian feel the man was of no ordinary status, so he refrained from speaking out of turn.
Estelle started heading upstairs, "How's Xavier's injury? Is he behaving, smoking less?"
Damian, suddenly remembering Norah was upstairs, his expression shifted slightly. He quickly stepped forward, taking Estelle by the arm, "Ms. MacClain, it's quite a mess upstairs. Let me find a spot for you and Mr. Lamont down here. Haven't had lunch yet, have you? Would you like barbecue or something else? I'll have Zachary whip it up right away!"
Jonathan, ever perceptive, glanced at Damian and asked in a calm tone, "Is Norah here?"
Caught off guard and under Jonathan's imposing presence, Damian hesitated to respond.
In that brief moment, someone came bounding down the stairs, calling out with joy, "Jonathan, Estelle, what brings you here?"
Estelle smiled, "Helping out at the restaurant again?"
"Yeah, Mr. Flemmings is sick, and I thought I'd lend a hand over the weekend," Norah replied somewhat guiltily, barely managing a laugh with Estelle, avoiding Jonathan's gaze.
"Where's Mr. Flemmings?" Estelle inquired.
"Upstairs!"
"Let's go check on him."
As they all headed upstairs, Norah clung to Estelle's hand, feeling that Estelle's presence was a buffer for her safety.
In front of Gabriel, Jonathan didn't pry further. Instead, he introduced, "This is my brother’s daughter, Norah, a bit of a free spirit. Hope she hasn't caused you any trouble."
Gabriel smiled warmly, "She's quite the charming young lady."
He remembered Norah well; she was the girl who showed a special interest in Xavier the night he returned to J City at the Lamont family estate. Back then, Xavier had made a quip about needing to take Estelle “Aunt-in-law” if he started a relationship with Norah.