"It's just breakfast," Celeste murmured. "Anyone can make breakfast. Anywhere can serve breakfast."
She placed her phone face down on the desk.
Then she stood and walked to the door.
Her secretary happened to be entering with documents.
Seeing Celeste in a hurry, she asked, "Miss Shaw, where are you going?"
"Breakfast."
Celeste passed her without stopping.
The secretary took one step after her.
"But the meeting..."
"Delay it by thirty minutes."
Celeste lifted a hand and entered the elevator before the secretary could reply.
The doors closed.
The secretary stood there stunned.
Celeste Shaw, famous workaholic, had postponed an important meeting for breakfast.
That had never happened before.
Ten minutes later, Celeste appeared in a five-star restaurant.
She chose a window seat and placed her handbag beside her.
After opening the menu, she ignored the server's reminder about portion size and ordered far too much food.
Truffle.
Foie gras.
Australian steak.
Baked lobster.
For breakfast, the meal was almost excessive.
Soon, the dishes filled the table.
Celeste cut a small piece of steak and placed it in her mouth.
The taste was good.
Of course it was.
This was a five-star restaurant.
But after only a few bites, she set down her knife and fork and stared out the window.
An entire table of expensive food sat before her.
She had no appetite.
She could not understand it.
She had been hungry.
The ingredients were excellent.
So why did she not want to eat?
At West Group, Vivian set down her utensils.
The lunch boxes in front of her were completely empty.
Not a grain of rice remained.
She touched her stomach, leaned back in her chair, and let out a satisfied breath.
The satisfaction was written all over her face.
Ethan sat across from the desk and smiled at her.
"Well? My cooking didn't disappoint you, did it?"
Vivian was still savoring it.
This was absolutely the most delicious and satisfying breakfast she had ever eaten.
No.
Not only breakfast.
It surpassed almost every meal she had ever had.
Vivian had eaten at countless five-star restaurants, both domestic and abroad, and tasted plenty of famous dishes.
None compared to what Ethan had made.
She suddenly felt that the obscure Cole ancestor was right.
If one wanted to win a person, winning the stomach truly mattered.
Because right now, Vivian thought...
If she could eat food like this for the rest of her life, binding herself to Ethan did not seem impossible.
People lived by food.
Blame Ethan.
His cooking was simply too good.
Good enough to shake a woman who had once believed firmly in never marrying.
Seeing her dazed, Ethan rose and waved a hand in front of her face.
"What are you thinking about so seriously?"
Vivian returned to herself.
"Nothing."
"Miss West," Ethan said, circling halfway around the desk and sitting on its edge beside her, "I woke early and worked hard to make you breakfast."
He leaned slightly closer.
"For that sincerity, shouldn't you show something?"
Vivian looked at him without answering at once.
She wiped her mouth with a napkin, stood, and took one step toward him.
Then, without saying a word, she kissed him lightly on the cheek.
She straightened and asked, "Satisfied?"
Vivian was surprised to find that she seemed already used to this sort of thing.
After doing it, her face did not burn.
Her heart did not race.
She was entirely calm.
Ethan touched the place she kissed and deliberately widened his eyes.
"Miss West, what are you doing?"
His voice was innocent.
"We were talking. Why are you taking advantage of me? I only wanted a cup of tea."
Vivian stared at him, fists tightening.
"Ethan Cole. Don't get benefits and pretend to be wronged."
Three seconds.
Her defenses broke again.
"I'm joking," Ethan said with a grin. "As compensation, I won't resist. Kiss wherever you want."
"Dream on."
Vivian returned to her seat and picked up her documents.
Ethan knew when to stop.
He lay on the guest sofa, turned his phone volume low, and watched short videos to pass the time.
They each did their own things.
The atmosphere was oddly harmonious.
About ten minutes later, someone knocked.
Maya opened the door.
"Miss West."
Vivian looked up.
"What is it?"
"There is an auction later. You promised the organizers you would attend."
Vivian nodded.
"All right."
Maya was about to leave when Ethan sat up from the sofa.
"Auction?"
He looked at Vivian.
"I'm going too."
Vivian looked back.
"Why?"
"For fun. I'm free anyway."
Ethan stood.
"What, not welcome?"
Vivian opened her mouth, then closed it.
"Suit yourself."
The organizers had not said she could not bring a companion.
...
Half an hour later, the two arrived at the auction venue dressed properly.
It was a private club with grand, glittering decor.
Tonight's event was a high-end art auction, and the guests were all important figures in Northbridge.
Two rows of attendants stood at the entrance.
Inside, many guests had already taken their seats.
Men in suits.
Women in jewels.
Ethan and Vivian sat in their assigned seats.
The location was excellent, front row with a clear view.
They had barely sat down when a young man walked over.
He wore a custom suit, slicked-back hair, and a gentlemanly smile he clearly thought was perfect.
He stopped in front of Vivian.
"Miss West. Long time no see."
Vivian looked up.
She recognized him.
Marcus Blackwell.
Eldest son of the Blackwell family, one of Northbridge's Four Families.
She gave a small nod.
"Mr. Blackwell."
Marcus noticed how Vivian and Ethan had been smiling and teasing each other earlier.
His gaze quickly shifted to Ethan, examining him openly from head to toe.
He did not remember anyone like this in Northbridge's elite circles.
Then he smiled.
"I heard Miss West had found someone. I didn't expect it to be true."
Vivian did not answer.
Marcus continued, "Miss West, there is something I've wanted to say for a while. When choosing a man, you can't look only at the face."
He added, "Background and substance matter most."
Vivian's brows drew together slightly.
Marcus ignored it.
"In my opinion, this one isn't even as good as that clingy Derek Lowe who used to follow you around."
"What was his name again?"
He pretended to think.
"Oh, right. Derek."
Vivian's face turned cold.
"Mr. Blackwell, I appreciate your concern, but what kind of man I choose is my own business."
She reached out and held Ethan's arm with both hands, the gesture intimate and natural.
Then she smiled.
"As long as I like him."
Marcus froze.
He had not expected Vivian to protect Ethan so directly.
Why did this man deserve that?
But Marcus quickly recovered his smile.
"Don't misunderstand. I was only kindly reminding you."
"Are you done?"
Ethan, who had ignored him from the beginning, finally spoke.
"If you're done, get lost."
His voice was not loud.
Every word reached Marcus clearly.
Marcus looked at him, thinking he had misheard.
In all of Northbridge, no one had ever dared speak to Marcus Blackwell like this.
"What did you say?"
Ethan stood.
With his height advantage, he looked down at Marcus coldly.
"I don't have much patience. If you keep running your mouth, I'll beat you."
Author's Note:
This story will continue updating here.
If you want to read the full story without waiting or more books, you can unlock it here:
/c/TYMercer
Thank you for reading.