n

n

n

n

nWilliam quickly regained his composure.

nWhy should he refuse an invitation to dine?

n“Let’s eat at Amy’s restaurant!” William said with a smile.

nMaria’s restaurant had been open for some time, and since William had a stake in it, why not support his own business, especially when Seraphina was offering to treat?

n“Sure!” Seraphina was naturally willing to patronize Maria’s business.

nThey arrived at the food street in the commercial center, a pedestrian zone with cars parked in nearby garages.

nAlice had been intensely training and facing challenges lately and was eager for a chance to unwind.

nLeaving the Soulmancer Academy and arriving at the food street, Alice seemed like a fish back in water, clearly in a much better mood, even making Seraphina seem more pleasant by comparison.

nAfter getting out of the car, Alice tried to hold William’s hand. Just as she was about to make a move, William grabbed her hand.

n“Hmm?” Alice felt her blood pressure rise instantly.

nThough she and William had already cheered for love together, he had never before taken the initiative to hold her hand in public.

nIn this open era, even couples who have been together steadily for a long time might not end up together.

nSo far, William had indeed told others that she was his wife, but they had never really dated like a normal couple.

nStrolling hand in hand was something completely new for them.

nWilliam’s gesture was natural and smooth. Seraphina, seeing them holding hands, didn’t get angry at all.

nJust holding hands, what did it matter?

nShe was well aware of the relationship between William and Alice. Even if she were to witness them cheer for love in front of her, Seraphina wouldn’t mind, she might even join in, making it a trio.

nWhat’s the fun in just two people?

nThree people doing it together is much more enjoyable.

nSeraphina walked alongside them with her small hands clasped behind her back, casting a casual glance their way, her expression unchanged.

nAlice’s beautiful almond eyes misted over, her cheeks slightly flushed.

nEven though she and William had already been intimate, the blush of a first love still colored her shy demeanor.

nThe restaurant owned by Maria was named “Le Jardin Bleu,” a name reputedly designed by a renowned Parisian artist at Bella’s request, costing twenty thousand dollars just for the design. Even the creation of the elegant signboard bearing the name was a costly affair.

nWilliam stood at the entrance, observing the restaurant now managed by Maria.

nAt the door stood two fashionably dressed greeters, their graceful and charming postures meticulously selected by Bella.

nThe entire restaurant’s decor, also personally designed by Bella, exuded a high-end ambiance that was both modern and tinged with French vintage style.

nCustomers needed to book online and show a QR code upon entry.

nUnsurprisingly, these were also Bella’s innovations.

nHigh-end!

nExclusive!

nAdvance reservations required!

nAnd naturally, the prices were steep.

nWilliam wasn’t fazed by this.

nGood food alone wasn’t enough to make money easily.

nMarketing was key.

nClearly, Bella, the vice president of a media company, knew how to play the game.

nAs William and his companions approached, the greeters welcomed them with beaming smiles: “Welcome!”

n“Mr. Johnson, you’re here? The Le Petit Louvre room has been

nprepared for you. Please follow me.”

nThis wasn’t William’s first visit to the restaurant,as a

nshareholder, he was well known to the staff since Maria had

nintroduced him on his first visit.

nHis meals here were always on the house.

nWilliam glanced at Seraphina and said with a smile, “Today, I’m

nnot the host. This lady here is the boss for today. How about

ngiving us a 2% discount later?”

n“Of course, Mr. Johnson. Please, esteemed ladies, come inside.”

nThe greeter who had been speaking with William led them

ninside, and another greeter immediately took her place at the

ndoor.

nAlice, holding William’s hand, whispered, “William, you’ve been

nhere before?”

nWilliam nodded, “Yes, this is my restaurant.”

n“Oh!” Alice leaned in closer to William and asked in a low voice,

n“So, if I come here to eat, I don’t have to pay either?”

nWilliam pinched her hand gently and replied, “I’m a shareholder

nhere. You can eat on my account, and we’ll settle it at the end

nof the month.”

nHe didn’t pay for his meals, but they were still recorded on the

naccount.

nHelping Maria open this restaurant was actually to fulfill a

npromise he had made to her.

nWhen William left the Moonlit Harbor Pub, he had told Maria that

nhe would help her with anything she needed.

nFor William, this was just a small favor.

nWilliam was quite fond of Amy, Maria’s daughter.

nAfter his last help to Caleb, which resulted in Caleb losing his

nhands and now possibly begging in Las Vegas, William felt

ncompelled to assist.

nMaria, a single woman raising a child, needed to earn more so

nAmy could have a better life.

nA daughter should be raised in affluence!

nAfter William and his company were seated, Bella arrived within

na few minutes.

n“William, you’re here? Business has been good lately,” Bella

ngreeted with a smile.

nAfter sitting down, she glanced at Alice and Seraphina and

nchuckled, “Alice, it seems you really are William’s girlfriend now!”

nAlice beamed proudly, “Yes! We’re together now.”

nBella, sitting down, said naturally with a laugh, “I remember you

nonce said you weren’t interested in William. Were you afraid

nwe’d compete with you for him?”

nAlice, slightly flustered, responded, “I never said that!”

n“Of course, of course, you never said that!” Bella said, already

npouring drinks and raising her glass, “If you hadn’t made your

nmove, I might have been tempted to try, ha ha ha!”

n“Let me toast to your happiness in advance!” Bella, sitting next

nto Seraphina, picked up her glass and proposed a toast.

nAlice confidently lifted her glass, “Then from now on, you’re not

nallowed to have designs on him.”

n“I’m not interested in men who are taken,” Bella clinked glasses

nwith William and Alice, downing her drink in one go, then turned

nto Seraphina and asked, “William, aren’t you going to introduce

nthis young lady?”

nBefore William could speak, Seraphina said, “I like Mr. Johnson

ntoo.”

n“Hmm?” Bella looked surprised, staring at Seraphina with a

nfrown, “Young lady, how old are you this year?” .𝒎

nSeraphina retorted, “What does my age matter to you?”

nShe avoided mentioning her age; if she said she was older, she’d

nbe called an old woman.

nAnd if she claimed to be younger, William would say he’s not

ninto children, which would be awkward.

n“Young lady, William already has a girlfriend,” Bella said, not

nunderstanding their relationship. How could Alice tolerate

nWilliam bringing a romantic rival to dinner?

nSmall chest, but a big heart!

nSeraphina remained composed and said, “So what if he has a

ngirlfriend? I don’t mind him having another. If you’re willing, you

ncould join us too. Are you interested?”

nP.S.: As a monthly reward for our fans, this month’s reward

ncode is . You can redeem it at the

nRedeem Center in your Profile. Reward code issued on January

n4, 2024.The code can be redeemed by 10 different users with

n10 FPs

/user.Thank you all for your attention and support.

n.𝒎

n