Chapter 942
Chapter 942:
She then poured hot water over the coffee grounds at just the right temperature.
Watching the brew slowly darken to a rich amber, Yelena felt a moment of peace.
As the final drops fell, she raised her head and inhaled deeply, absorbing the robust scent.
“Please enjoy the coffee, Aitana.” Yelena offered a cup to Aitana with a warm smile.
After taking a sip, Aitana was enveloped by the coffee’s inviting aroma. “Exquisitely made,” she praised.
Turning to Maggie, Yelena respectfully presented another cup. “Mrs. Barton, this is for you p>
Maggie corrected her with a slight frown. “You call Aitana by her name but me Mrs. Barton? Please, just call me Maggie p>
“Understood,” Yelena responded, promptly adapting to “Maggie.” Maggie’s face lit up with a pleased smile as she tasted the coffee. “This is truly excellent coffee p>
Ellen had always regarded Maggie as a connoisseur who seldom offered praise lightly, so her approval was unexpected. Ellen responded with a dismissive sniff.
Yelena then served Ellen a cup of coffee.
Ellen noticed the cup was filled just right and acknowledged the gesture with a small, polite nod. While Ellen was not fond of Yelena, her upbringing compelled her to maintain decorum in social settings.
Upon tasting the coffee, Ellen’s expression softened unexpectedly.
“Well? Is it terrible?” Leanna leaned in, lowering her voice as she asked Ellen.
If the coffee was as bad as she suspected, Leanna wouldn’t waste her refined palate on it. She had no intention of subjecting herself to something subpar.
Ellen, still reeling from the first sip, was momentarily at a loss for words. Unwilling to accept her own surprise, she took another sip.
Once again, the fragrant richness enveloped her senses, leaving her astonished. Growing up under Maggie’s influence, Ellen had developed a sharp ability to distinguish high-quality coffee from the mediocre. And the coffee Yelena had made? It was anything but bad.
“It’s good,” Ellen murmured to Leanna.
fuels your imagination
Even if Ellen had stayed silent, Leanna would have caught on—because if the coffee had been awful, there was no way Ellen would have gone back for another taste.
Meanwhile, Yelena continued pouring coffee for the others.
Leanna hesitated, tempted to give it a try. But just as Yelena reached her, she stopped.
“Sorry,” Yelena said, withdrawing the pot. “I just ran out.” Leanna’s face darkened instantly.
Ellen stole a glance at Yelena, reassessing her. She wasn’t nearly as insufferable as Ellen had imagined at that very moment. Still, people were like coins—two-sided. They rarely showed their worst selves right away. Perhaps Yelena was just putting on a front. Ellen resolved to wait. One day, she would uncover Yelena’s true nature.
As the evening wore on, Austin was preparing to take Yelena back to her hotel.
Maggie and Aitana exchanged a knowing look. Considering the two were already engaged, it seemed dull to have them staying apart. “Austin, it’s late. It’s such a hassle to go back and forth. Why not let Yelena stay here instead p>
“Mom, they may be engaged, but they’re not married yet,” Carly interjected. “People will talk if she stays p>
Carly was well aware of Leanna’s feelings for Austin. She still clung to the hope that there might be a chance for her in the future. And if that were to happen, she needed to ensure that Austin and Yelena didn’t grow too close.
Yelena, on the other hand, had no interest in staying either. She knew that no matter how grand this house was, it wouldn’t compare to the comfort and freedom of her hotel room.