William quickly regained his composure.
Why should he refuse an invitation to dine?
“Let’s eat at Amy’s restaurant!” William said with a smile.
Maria’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?
“Sure!” Seraphina was naturally willing to patronize Maria’s business.
They arrived at the food street in the commercial center, a pedestrian zone with cars parked in nearby garages.
Alice had been intensely training and facing challenges lately and was eager for a chance to unwind.
Leaving 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.
After 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.
“Hmm?” Alice felt her blood pressure rise instantly.
Though she and William had already cheered for love together, he had never before taken the initiative to hold her hand in public.
In this open era, even couples who have been together steadily for a long time might not end up together.
So far, William had indeed told others that she was his wife, but they had never really dated like a normal couple.
Strolling hand in hand was something completely new for them.
William’s gesture was natural and smooth. Seraphina, seeing them holding hands, didn’t get angry at all.
Just holding hands, what did it matter?
She 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.
What’s the fun in just two people?
Three people doing it together is much more enjoyable.
Seraphina walked alongside them with her small hands clasped behind her back, casting a casual glance their way, her expression unchanged.
Alice’s beautiful almond eyes misted over, her cheeks slightly flushed.
Even though she and William had already been intimate, the blush of a first love still colored her shy demeanor.
The 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.
William stood at the entrance, observing the restaurant now managed by Maria.
At the door stood two fashionably dressed greeters, their graceful and charming postures meticulously selected by Bella.
The entire restaurant’s decor, also personally designed by Bella, exuded a high-end ambiance that was both modern and tinged with French vintage style.
Customers needed to book online and show a QR code upon entry.
Unsurprisingly, these were also Bella’s innovations.
High-end!
Exclusive!
Advance reservations required!
And naturally, the prices were steep.
William wasn’t fazed by this.
Good food alone wasn’t enough to make money easily.
Marketing was key.
Clearly, Bella, the vice president of a media company, knew how to play the game.
As William and his companions approached, the greeters welcomed them with beaming smiles: “Welcome!”
“Mr. Johnson, you’re here? The Le Petit Louvre room has been
prepared for you. Please follow me.”
This wasn’t William’s first visit to the restaurant,as a
shareholder, he was well known to the staff since Maria had
introduced him on his first visit.
His meals here were always on the house.
William glanced at Seraphina and said with a smile, “Today, I’m
not the host. This lady here is the boss for today. How about
giving us a 2% discount later?”
“Of course, Mr. Johnson. Please, esteemed ladies, come inside.”
The greeter who had been speaking with William led them
inside, and another greeter immediately took her place at the
door.
Alice, holding William’s hand, whispered, “William, you’ve been
here before?”
William nodded, “Yes, this is my restaurant.”
“Oh!” Alice leaned in closer to William and asked in a low voice,
“So, if I come here to eat, I don’t have to pay either?”
William pinched her hand gently and replied, “I’m a shareholder
here. You can eat on my account, and we’ll settle it at the end
of the month.”
He didn’t pay for his meals, but they were still recorded on the
account.
Helping Maria open this restaurant was actually to fulfill a
promise he had made to her.
When William left the Moonlit Harbor Pub, he had told Maria that
he would help her with anything she needed.
For William, this was just a small favor.
William was quite fond of Amy, Maria’s daughter.
After his last help to Caleb, which resulted in Caleb losing his
hands and now possibly begging in Las Vegas, William felt
compelled to assist.
Maria, a single woman raising a child, needed to earn more so
Amy could have a better life.
A daughter should be raised in affluence!
After William and his company were seated, Bella arrived within
a few minutes.
“William, you’re here? Business has been good lately,” Bella
greeted with a smile.
After sitting down, she glanced at Alice and Seraphina and
chuckled, “Alice, it seems you really are William’s girlfriend now!”
Alice beamed proudly, “Yes! We’re together now.”
Bella, sitting down, said naturally with a laugh, “I remember you
once said you weren’t interested in William. Were you afraid
we’d compete with you for him?”
Alice, slightly flustered, responded, “I never said that!”
“Of course, of course, you never said that!” Bella said, already
pouring drinks and raising her glass, “If you hadn’t made your
move, I might have been tempted to try, ha ha ha!”
“Let me toast to your happiness in advance!” Bella, sitting next
to Seraphina, picked up her glass and proposed a toast.
Alice confidently lifted her glass, “Then from now on, you’re not
allowed to have designs on him.”
“I’m not interested in men who are taken,” Bella clinked glasses
with William and Alice, downing her drink in one go, then turned
to Seraphina and asked, “William, aren’t you going to introduce
this young lady?”
Before William could speak, Seraphina said, “I like Mr. Johnson
too.”
“Hmm?” Bella looked surprised, staring at Seraphina with a
frown, “Young lady, how old are you this year?” .𝒎
Seraphina retorted, “What does my age matter to you?”
She avoided mentioning her age; if she said she was older, she’d
be called an old woman.
And if she claimed to be younger, William would say he’s not
into children, which would be awkward.
“Young lady, William already has a girlfriend,” Bella said, not
understanding their relationship. How could Alice tolerate
William bringing a romantic rival to dinner?
Small chest, but a big heart!
Seraphina remained composed and said, “So what if he has a
girlfriend? I don’t mind him having another. If you’re willing, you
could join us too. Are you interested?”
P.S.: As a monthly reward for our fans, this month’s reward
code is <ABDHYFJ6GU5JQW58A> . You can redeem it at the
Redeem Center in your Profile. Reward code issued on January
4, 2024.The code can be redeemed by 10 different users with
10 FPs/user.Thank you all for your attention and support.
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