The skewers sizzled, dripping with grease and releasing a rich, meaty aroma as white steam gently rose.
The gentle smile in the man’s eyes vanished in an instant, replaced by a sharp, hawk-like intensity that exuded an invisible pressure.
"Boss, have a skewer." Zachary Conway grabbed a lamb skewer and handed it over, just in time to meet the man’s gaze. A shiver instantly ran down his spine.
Henry Stark stared at him, his voice low. "What did you just say?"
"Huh?" Zachary Conway was stunned for a few seconds before realizing he hadn’t finished his sentence, causing a misunderstanding. He quickly clarified, "Boss, I was saying the girl I like is Renee Jennings’s friend, Michelle Fuller."
Hearing this, Henry Stark glanced at the lamb skewer he was holding out, took it, and said flatly, "And?"
Zachary Conway silently breathed a sigh of relief. He grabbed a skewer for himself and said while eating, "I just feel like I’m not good enough for her."
"Is that so." Henry Stark lowered his gaze, examining the skewer.
Zachary Conway: "Yeah. She’s beautiful, has a great personality, and her family is so rich... We’re from completely different worlds."
Henry Stark tossed the skewer stick into the bin and said lightly, "Then just give up."
Zachary Conway: "..."
He suddenly felt that the meat in his mouth had lost its flavor. He sighed, "So you think I should give up too, Boss."
Henry Stark pressed his thin lips together, saying nothing.
"But..." Zachary Conway muttered, "I still want to hold on a little longer. What if? What if I strike it rich one day?"
"Dreaming already?" Henry Stark raised an eyebrow, teasing him. "Can soda get you drunk too?"
Zachary Conway pouted. "Sigh, this is heartbreaking."
Henry Stark picked up a chicken wing and handed it to him, offering a word of comfort. "Time heals all wounds."
"I know." Zachary Conway took the skewer, his reply muffled.
Henry Stark tilted his head back and took a sip of soda. He turned his head to look at the scene outside the window, his deep, dark eyes like pools of ink, hiding emotions no one could fathom.
**
「The next day, Renee Jennings woke up a little after ten in the morning.」
She replied to her WeChat messages, then scrolled through her Moments, and just as she’d hoped, she saw Dalton Jenson had posted the car purchase contract she’d given him.
Dalton Jenson was being his usual proud self. The caption read: My little daughter bought me a toy car!
Renee Jennings’s lips curved slightly as she gave him a like.
She went downstairs to wash up, had breakfast, and then went to the courtyard to play with her fur babies.
An hour later, Glenn Zane came to call her for lunch.
"Coming." Renee Jennings stood up and stretched. "Are you guys hungry?"
"Not yet," the fur babies replied, shaking their heads.
"Okay," Renee Jennings said with a bright smile. "I’ll come feed you after I’m done eating."
The fur babies immediately cheered.
"Yay, yay~"
"Food from Renee is the best~"
Renee Jennings was already walking away, but hearing the voices behind her, the smile on her lips deepened.
After lunch, Renee Jennings brought out canned meat to feed the fur babies.
Once they finished eating, she cleaned up the empty cans and went upstairs to prepare for her livestream.
「Meanwhile, at the Morgan residence.」
Aria Sinclair and Yvonne Morgan were on the ground floor, drinking coffee and watching TV.
Yvonne Morgan was massaging her shoulders, speaking in a soft, gentle voice. "Mom, how about I make some dessert for you to try later? I specifically went to learn how a few days ago."
"It’s alright." Aria Sinclair chuckled lightly. "Don’t trouble yourself. I haven’t had much of an appetite lately."
Yvonne Morgan frowned slightly. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Aria Sinclair’s attitude toward her had become distant and cold.
She pressed her lips together before saying softly, "I understand. I’ll make it for you whenever you feel like eating, Mom."
"Okay." Aria Sinclair smiled faintly and took a few sips of her coffee. Suddenly, the screen of the phone resting beside her lit up.
Aria Sinclair looked closely and saw it was a notification that Renee Jennings’s stream was starting.
She put down her coffee, a genuine look of delight appearing in her eyes.
Seeing this, Yvonne Morgan asked hesitantly, "Mom, why are you so happy all of a sudden?"
"Am I?" Aria Sinclair smiled. "Yvonne, Mom’s a little tired. I think I’ll go upstairs and rest for a bit."
"Okay," Yvonne Morgan said softly. "I’ll go up with you, Mom."
"It’s fine, don’t trouble yourself." Aria Sinclair stood up and waved her hand. "Yvonne, I’m sure you have your own things to do. You don’t need to spend all your time and energy on me."
Yvonne Morgan quickly replied, "Nothing is more important than you, Mom."
Aria Sinclair opened her mouth, suddenly unsure how to respond. She could only give a helpless smile. "Well, I’m heading upstairs then."