Chapter 32
Chapter 32:
After some time in the kitchen, Ashton and Rosalie had prepared a feast filled with delicious dishes.
When the food hit the table, Selena’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
“This smells amazing! Ashton, you made my favorite shrimp! And that dish looks fantastic too!” she exclaimed with joy. She couldn’t wait for Ashton and Rosalie to sit down. Without hesitation, Selena started eating with gusto. She devoured bite after bite, showing no sign of slowing down.
When she sat down, Rosalie noticed that the shrimp plate was almost empty due to Selena’s enthusiasm.
Selena’s illness had dampened her appetite for some time, making it difficult for even the exquisite dishes crafted by Modern Restaurant’s celebrated chef to tempt her. However, this time, her quick consumption of the dish caught Rosalie by surprise.
Upon noticing her sister’s look of astonishment, Selena eagerly placed two shrimp onto Rosalie’s plate.
“You have to try these, Rosalie! Ashton’s culinary skills are phenomenal! He could rival a three-star Michelin chef p>
Though initially skeptical, Rosalie took a bite and instantly felt a wave of delight.
The shrimp was infused with the subtle fragrance of tea. It married the freshness of seafood with a delicate, aromatic undertone, creating a perfect balance of flavors. Rosalie cast covert glances at Ashton, puzzled at how someone with such remarkable culinary and medical expertise had once been relegated to serving the James family.
Meanwhile, Selena, oblivious to Rosalie’s contemplations, caught her sister stealing glances at Ashton.
With a playful squint, she remarked, “Ashton’s dishes are extraordinary! It’s no surprise you jumped in to assist him in the kitchen, Rosalie. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could enjoy his cooking every day, right, Rosalie?” Although her words seemed light-hearted, there was an underlying hint that made Rosalie’s cheeks turn a soft pink.
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Rosalie shot Selena a look that silently implored her to stop her teasing.
Ashton continued to serve dishes, unaware of the silent signals exchanged between the sisters. He assumed Selena’s comments were just polite conversation. However, he couldn’t help but notice the blush tinting Rosalie’s cheeks.
“Rosalie, why are you blushing?” Ashton asked in a confused voice.
Startled by Ashton’s observation, Rosalie coughed lightly and offered a casual reply. She decided to shift the conversation to another topic to alleviate the awkwardness.
“Ashton, our Campbell family is organizing a charity concert in a few days. It’s going to be quite the event, with many celebrities and business leaders attending. You should definitely come. It could be an excellent chance for you to build connections. I’ll make sure to bring you an invitation tomorrow p>
Despite the sudden change in topic, Ashton felt a warmth spread through him, touched by her thoughtful invitation. He nodded affirmatively. “If my schedule allows, I’ll certainly attend,” he said.
Rosalie playfully rolled her eyes, teasing him. “And what could possibly keep you so busy right now p>
With a relaxed smile, Ashton quipped back, “Well, I am currently enjoying a meal with two lovely ladies, am I not p>
“Such a smooth talker,” Rosalie muttered under her breath, feigning anger. She then turned her attention back to her meal, perhaps out of shyness or just plain hunger.
Across town, Emalee was working overtime in her home office. Her mind was cluttered, and she couldn’t shake off a persistent feeling of unease.
She was anxious about clinching the deal with Skyline Group and found herself stumped with the strategic planning for her company. Her attempts to strategize were fruitless, and whispers of doubt among her employees about her capabilities were beginning to surface.
As she toiled away, Emalee found herself recalling the days when Ashton was by her side, providing support. Whenever she faced challenges, Ashton had a knack for offering subtle insights that often ignited her creativity. Emalee used to pride herself on her ability to swiftly devise winning proposals with ease.
Now, despite having her first love, Phillip, back in her life, that familiar spark of inspiration seemed elusive. She had everything—a successful career, a renewed relationship—but something was still missing. Her sense of frustration only deepened after Ashton had decisively cut off contact, leaving her to grapple with unresolved feelings.
Phillip saw the distress in Emalee’s eyes and offered some solace.
“Emalee, you’ve been pushing yourself too hard with this deal. Remember to look after yourself. There’s a charity concert coming up, hosted by the Campbell family. Why don’t we attend? It could be a nice break for us,” he suggested gently.
Distracted, Emalee nodded to Phillip without much thought.
Meanwhile, Tristan, who overheard the conversation, couldn’t hide his excitement.
“Phillip, can I tag along? I’d love to snap some photos for social media. My friends will be so envious!” he exclaimed eagerly.
Phillip was hesitant to include Tristan but eventually conceded, unable to say no to his future brother-in-law. Delighted, Tristan couldn’t help but compare the two men.
“Phillip, you’re amazing! Ashton could never have offered us an entry to such an exclusive event. Emalee, leaving Ashton for Phillip was definitely the right decision p>