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Chapter 76
Chapter 76
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Tm here to spend New Year’s Day with you, Hailey said. She was dressed in a pink down jacket and with a man’s scarf- clearly Owen’s–wrappeil around her neck, covering her face.
Owen took Hailey’s hand, his expression frosty and unreadable, emitting a clear aura of not wanting to be bothered.
Hailey smiled brightly, her eyes sparkling with warmth.
Christopher pursed his lips, offering a warm, yet restrained smile. “You really didn’t have to go to to much trouble”
“It’s no trouble at all. You haven’t had dinner yet, right? I’ll heat up some gnocchi for you. You two can go relax and watch TV while I cook, Hailey offered.
“Let us handle the gnocchi, you go sit and relax,” Owen said gently, looking at her, before glancing at Christopher. “Can you lend me a hand?”
Christopher nodded.
Hailey went into the living room to watch the New Year’s Day special broadcast, while the two men took over in the kitchen.
The apartment was warm thanks to the heating, so once they entered, Owen took off his coat and casually draped it over a
chair.
The fridge held some gnocchi that Linda had prepared in advance and frozen. While Owen boiled the water. Christopher went to the fridge to grab the gnocchi
After all, it was New Year’s Day, and just having gnocchi would be a bit too plain.
Owen went to the fridge, looked through its contents, and took out some vegetables.
Though Christopher no longer needed a wheelchair and could walk with crutches, he still used the wheelchair at home for convenience, as he was not supposed to exert himself too much yet.
“I’ll go get my crutches and help you wash the vegetables, Christopher said, turning his wheelchair to head outside.
Behind him, Owen’s voice came. “No need, I’m not about to ask someone with leg problems to help.
Christopher froze.
Owen’s tone was not mocking; he was simply stating a fact.
But it was exactly this that made Christopher feel even more uncomfortable.
He would rather Owen mock him.
“We’re both men, some things don’t need to be said. You should understand,” Owen spoke as he washed the vegetables. “I can tell you like Hailey”
Christopher pursed his lips, but he did not turn around.
“No matter what collaboration you have with Alice, or whatever you plan to do, I have one request: don’t hurt Hailey. At this moment, Owen’s voice studdenly became cold, his words sharp and relentless. “If you harm her, I will make you pay.”
Christopher snapped his head up and looked at Owen with a complicated expression. “You know about it?”
dup
“Yeah,” Owen said.
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Chapter 76
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The cafe where Christopher and Alice had met was owned by the Calhoun family. Hence, it was only natural that wen would know.
Christopher swallowed, gripping the armrest of the wheelchair tightly. “Then why don’t you just go and tell Hadley what kind of person I am?”
“There’s no need for me to do that? Owen raised his eyebrows slightly. “Do you think Hailey is so naive that the truly trusts. you completely?”
Christopher was silent.
At this moment, Owen thought it unnecessary to say anything more. After all, as long as they remained vigilant, Christopher’s schemes would not pose much of a danger.
The tactic of sowing discord would only work on those who lacked trust.
Owen was confident in his ability to safeguard Hailey against any other underhanded tactics that might be used against
them
The dinner passed, but Christopher barely tasted his food.
Meanwhile, Hailey and Owen were eating happily, enjoying each other’s company.
Christopher felt like a third wheel. He could not shake the feeling that he was in the way.
Hailey, noticing his discomfort, discreetly texted Eliza, asking her to come over.
After finishing their dinner, Eliza was in the living room with Thomas, watching the New Year’s Day special broadcast.
Isaac and his family were also present, but Eliza, being the quiet type, could not join in on the conversation and felt rather bored.
When Eliza received Hailey’s text message, she quickly went upstairs to change, bundled up, and left.
It took her half an hour to drive from the Dalton Mansion to the neighborhood.
Eliza arrived at 7:30 p.m.
Snow was still falling lightly outside, so Eliza had a fair amount of snowflakes in her hair when she came in.
Christopher pointed her toward the bathroom to dry her hair.
“Thank you,” Eliza said softly, before heading into the bathroom.
After breaking free from the influence of Selena, Eliza had become much better overall.
Eliza, who had always been naturally timid, had been forced to adopt a domineering attitude in the past, as that was the only way she could survive in the Dalton family under Selena’s oppression.
But now, freed from Selena’s control, Eliza was finally able to return to being herself.
Eliza did not desire much in life; she only wanted peace and stability.
This was her first time meeting Christopher.
Eliza now realized that Christopher was not the gloomy, cruel person she had imagined him to be.
He was a young man, handsome and clean–cut, polite and gentle–truly a perfect gentleman.
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Chapter 76
However, his eyes were solely set on Hailey
Eliza placed the towel down and exited the bathroom, standing quietly to the side as die watched Christopher in the living
Christopher sat in his wheelchair, his face calm and emotionless, peeling an orange, occasionally looking at the TV or Hailey
Even he probably did not realize how soft and tender his gaze became whenever he looked at Hailey
His eyes almost seemed to be glowing.
Eliza stood there, as if entranced, staring at Christopher for quite some time, silently whispering his name in her mind.
“Ehza! Eliza
Eliza snapped back to reality and looked at Hailey. A sudden wave of warmth rushed through her, making her feel slightly flustered. “Hailey,” she said.
“What are you daydreaming about? Come sit down,” Hailey said with a chuckle.
“Oh.” Eliza said softly, then hesitantly made her way to the couch.
To her right sat Hailey, and to her left was Christopher.
Although there was a fair amount of space between them, Eliza felt an inexplicable discomfort. She kept her gaze on the television screen, yet her thoughts drifted elsewhere–her attention quietly lingering on Christopher.
“This is getting boring. Why don’t we play cards?” Hailey suggested.
Eliza said, “I’m fine with anything.”
“Okay, I’ll go get the cards.” Christopher smiled and went to take a deck of cards.
The four of them made up the perfect number for a round of Euchre
However, Eliza lost the most, as she seemed absent–minded and out of sorts the whole time.
Even Hailey could tell that something was amiss with Eliza.
“Eliza, are you feeling unwell?” Hailey asked.
Eliza’s cheeks tinged red. “No, I’m fine. I feel a little warm.”
“How about we have some drinks?” Christopher suggested.
At the mention of alcohol, Hailey’s eyes immediately lit up with excitement.
Owen glanced at her, a faintly amused look in his eyes. “You can’t drink.”
“But it’s New Year’s Day! Just a little should be fine, right? And you’re here to keep an eye on me.” Hailey leaned into him. acting coy.
Owen’s tone was nonchalant. “Did you already forget?”
He gave her stomach a pointed glance. “You were in agony from cramps just a few days ago–did that slip your mind?”
Chapter 77
Chapter 77
