Skip to content
Novel Catalog
Chapter 81
Standing in front of Veronica, Xavier paused for a moment, studying her face as if seeing her for the first time. “So, this is the real you,” he remarked, almost in awe.
Veronica’s natural beauty—without the freckles and dark complexion—was pure and stunning, a sight that made his heart race, even leaving him momentarily breathless.
“Mmhmm. No more pretending to be ugly in the future,” she chuckled, clearly enjoying the compliment.
Xavier tilted his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Good. You look better like this anyway. Women should be prettier, more delicate.”
“Is that so? Ha!” Veronica laughed at his words, though part of her was amused by his sudden praise.
“You’re looking a bit too thin, though,” Xavier added, his concern evident. Without waiting for her response, he reached out, grabbing her hand and leading her toward the One Piece Restaurant.
Although a chain restaurant, One Piece was exclusive, with prices that only those with membership could afford. It wasn’t a place where an ordinary person could simply walk in and get a table.
When they entered, they were immediately escorted to a table by the window on the second floor, where they began looking over the menu.
As Veronica scanned the price list, her eyes widened in disbelief. A cabbage stew costs 252? she thought. Isn’t it just stew made from cabbage hearts? Ridiculous pricing.
That was the cheapest dish. Other options, like pigeon stew or pork shoulder, started at 600 apiece.
Once they had placed their order, the waiter handed them a receipt for their meal. Veronica glanced at it casually, then her eyes nearly popped out of her head. The total came to 3,560.
“Do you know who kidnapped you, Roni?” Xavier asked, finally breaking the silence.
Veronica shook her head. “I don’t know, but it seemed like an accident. What’s in the past should stay there. I really need to thank you for everything with my parents, though.”
Xavier waved his hand dismissively. “No need to thank me. We’re family. That’s what family does.”
Despite his words, Veronica couldn’t shake the feeling that she owed him so much, a debt that seemed impossible to repay.
They chatted for a while longer, with Veronica briefly summarizing everything about the Larsons. Xavier’s anger flared as he listened, but there was also a hint of self-blame for not handling things better.
Just as the conversation was flowing smoothly, a voice suddenly interrupted them. “What a coincidence. Why are you both here?”
They both turned to see Matthew and Tiffany standing nearby. Tiffany had Matthew’s arm wrapped around hers, and the pair looked picture-perfect together—handsome and beautiful, yet oddly difficult to look at all at once.
The moment Veronica locked eyes with Matthew, he gave her a look. It was the kind of stare that said, I caught you doing something behind my back.
Tiffany, with a smile, spoke up. “Matthew and I are here to eat too. Since we’ve run into each other, why don’t we eat together?” She looked at Xavier and added, “Is that alright, Mr. Crawford?”
Though it was clear Tiffany was acting on her own and not seeking Matthew’s approval, she directed the question toward Xavier.
Xavier raised an eyebrow but didn’t hesitate. “Sure, but we’re not paying for this meal.”
Tiffany’s smile didn’t waver as she responded, “Well, Veronica’s my sister, and Matthew’s her god-brother. You’ve helped her quite a bit lately, so naturally, Matthew and I will pick up the bill.”
There was a subtle hint in her words, though it was unclear whether she was directing the insinuations at Xavier or Matthew—or perhaps both. Tiffany looked at Matthew, as though seeking his confirmation.
Matthew calmly replied, “Sure.” He then sat down beside Xavier, while Tiffany took the seat next to Veronica.
The group, now four, settled into a somewhat awkward silence. Tiffany, however, didn’t seem to mind the tension. She turned to Xavier with an overly sweet tone. “Mr. Crawford, after your argument with your father about Veronica at my engagement party, how are things between you two now?”
Xavier’s eyes flashed coldly, and he responded sharply, “Would a father and son hold grudges against each other? Please think before you speak, Miss Larson.”
Tiffany’s face flushed with embarrassment, but she didn’t back down. “I-I just thought… you like Veronica, and you might be worried your father won’t accept her.”
The contrast between Veronica and Tiffany couldn’t be more stark. Both women had fair skin and delicate features, but Tiffany’s polished, socialite aura was in sharp contrast to Veronica’s more casual, girl-next-door charm. Veronica wore a simple white shirt, pale blue jeans, and canvas shoes, while Tiffany sported a designer one-shoulder corset dress, waist-length chestnut hair, and sparkling jewelry.
The two men watched the sisters, each silently noting their differences. It became clear that Veronica’s natural features—her mole on her nose, larger, more expressive eyes, and fuller lips—made her more striking than Tiffany, who was beautiful in her own right, but perhaps not as unique.
Xavier took a leisurely sip of his drink before replying, his voice dripping with indifference, “It doesn’t matter whether my father approves of the women I like. It changes nothing.”
Before anyone could respond, Matthew cut in. “Well, you still need to see if I approve.”
The atmosphere immediately shifted. Tension thickened, and an uncomfortable silence hung over the table. The air felt charged, as if both men were silently clashing in some unseen battle of wills.
Veronica, sensing the rising tension, grimaced slightly. She wasn’t attracted to Xavier, and it frustrated her to no end that their previous interactions had somehow led to this misunderstanding. What had started as a protective gesture at the engagement party had now morphed into something else entirely.
Xavier’s expression darkened. “What right do you have to interfere in my business with Veronica?”
His tone was icy, and there was an unmistakable edge in his words. He loathed Matthew for what he’d done to Veronica not so long ago, and that only fueled his resentment toward him now.
Veronica, already fed up with the brewing argument, slammed her hand on the table, causing a few heads to turn in their direction. “Are we here to eat or to argue?” Her voice was loud, sharp, and commanding, drawing the attention of nearby diners.
Embarrassed by the sudden outburst, Veronica flushed a deep red and offered a sheepish smile to the onlookers. “Sorry for disturbing you,” she muttered before glaring at Tiffany. “Just because you’re not speaking doesn’t mean no one notices you.”
Her reprimand was enough to silence the group. Xavier, fearing Veronica might be angry, didn’t dare speak again. Matthew’s expression darkened, but he remained quiet, while Tiffany, who had been the one to stir the pot, finally fell silent, her jealousy and resentment simmering beneath the surface.
The tension lingered, but for now, they were all content to remain quiet, the once lively conversation now buried beneath a cloud of unspoken words.
