Chapter: 296

“Madeline, what have you been buying with my card?" Derek inquired, barely containing his frustration as the call connected. “I've mentioned before that the company is tight on funds. Could you consider reducing your spending?"

"Ah, Derek, I've been shopping with my sisters. It's been ages since we last got together, so I picked out a few small gifts for them and something for myself. Is it wrong to want to give gifts?" Madeline's voice brimmed with hurt, and Derek could almost see her pouting, dampening his resolve to argue.

“It's not about not giving gifts." Derek softened his tone slightly.

“But, as I've said, let's wait for the company to stabilize financially. By then, you can shop to your heart's content."

"But my sisters have been teasing us. I don't want them to think we're struggling," Madeline pleaded from her hideout in the mall's bathroom, her voice a whisper. "Do you understand where I'm coming from?"

Derek's grip on the phone tightened, his patience waning. He understood Madeline's concern about appearances, yet he couldn't help but feel she was being reckless with his finances, especially given his current situation.

"Just make sure you come home early after your shopping." Derek ended the call without reprimanding Madeline, a reflection of his reluctance to express his discontent.

Derek always held Madeline in high regard since she was the woman he had cherished. He believed in treating her well. Yet, as he hung up, Derek found his thoughts drifting to Norah. Unlike Madeline, Norah had never demanded money or caused him any worry. Since Madeline's return, however, he realized he had bent over backward to accommodate Madeline's numerous requests.

Holding her phone, Madeline had contemplated inviting Derek to dinner, hoping to smooth over the tension. Before she could voice her intention, the call disconnected, leaving her with the sound of a dial tone and a growing sense of resentment.

At the gate of Sean's villa.

Norah and Susanna had barely stepped inside when the rich scent of cooking enveloped them.

Susanna couldn't contain her excitement. "Just as I thought, steak and so many other dishes! It smells and looks incredibly inviting."

Sean, with a plate in hand, emerged wearing a deep blue apron. His friendly demeanor caught Norah's attention, making her look his way without meaning to.

Sean set the plate down and glanced at Norah. “Go wash your hands.

We're all set to eat.”

Sitting at the dining table, Norah was touched. The idea of Sean, the head of the Scott household, cooking just for her left her at a loss for words. The man moving around the kitchen brought a cozy vibe, making him seem more approachable than ever. Gone was the image of him as someone out of reach. Now, he felt close enough to touch.

Norah shook off these strange thoughts, deciding to go with the flow.

Sean broke the silence at the table. "Try the fish slices. I've taken out all the bones."

He pushed the plate toward Norah. “Susanna, remember, no chili peppers for you."

"I know. I know. Norah, give it a taste." Susanna watched eagerly as Norah lifted a forkful of fish, complete with coriander leaves, and tasted it.

"The fish is soft, and the flavor is spot on. Really tasty," Norah complimented.

Noticing the coriander made Norah recall Sean hadn't touched coriander when he was over for dinner. Why did this dish have coriander?

Norah realized she was the only one eating the fish. And not just the fish, several other dishes also had coriander. Could they be specially made for her? She chose to keep this realization to herself.

Susanna didn't hold back her curiosity. "Sean, I thought you didn't like coriander. What's with all the coriander in these dishes? Both you and I can't stand it."