Chapter 71: Chapter 71: New Girlfriend
Besides the bouquet of roses, another waiter was carrying a small five-inch cake covered with rose petals.
On top were two edible figurines dressed in wedding attire, kissing intimately.
Ashley Shaw saw them heading straight toward her, and her back tensed up inexplicably.
Could those roses and cake possibly be... for her?
She instinctively glanced around, only to find empty tables on both sides, with no other customers in sight.
Before she could question Cillian Xavier, the waiters had already reached her.
"Congratulations to you both for becoming the 99th couple to order the romantic special set at our restaurant. This is a surprise event launched by our manager, specially customized for the 99th customers," the waiter announced.
After finishing, the waiter paused for a brief moment, then, along with the other waiters behind him, spoke in unison—
"Wishing you both everlasting love and a long, happy life together!"
The other customers in the restaurant glanced over, some with looks of envy and others with blessings.
Ashley Shaw looked at Cillian Xavier in shock.
Cillian Xavier hurriedly waved his hand.
"It’s not something I planned... I didn’t know about any of this..."
Cillian Xavier was genuinely flustered.
He had chosen this restaurant simply because he thought the atmosphere was nice and the steak was authentic, not anticipating any such events.
Ashley Shaw observed that Cillian Xavier’s expression seemed genuine and forced a stiff smile.
"Well..."
As she was about to explain, the waiters had already placed the cake on the table and shoved the bouquet of roses into her hands.
They then dispersed, each returning to their tasks, as for them, it was just part of the job, and once the message was delivered, the rest wasn’t their concern.
The waiters came and went in such a hurry that Ashley Shaw didn’t have time to say, "You’ve misunderstood, we’re not a couple."
"Just take them."
Cillian Xavier spoke up suddenly.
Ashley Shaw looked up across the table, only to hear Cillian Xavier say, "They’re free anyway; we can sell the flowers later when we leave, or you can take them to give to your friend."
Ashley Shaw thought it over and found the reasoning sound.
The restaurant was quite expensive, so these items could balance the cost a bit.
She nodded and said, "I’ll take the cake back for Ariana to eat later, and you can give the roses to Ms. Grant. She really likes flowers and has them all over her shop."
Cillian Xavier’s expression froze for a moment.
She refused to accept his flowers, even those gifted by the restaurant.
But Cillian Xavier soon smiled and nodded, "Alright."
Very soon, the meal set was served.
It was indeed worth its price; each dish was presented like a piece of art.
One dessert was particularly unique, with a freeze-dried rose that the waiter instructed her to tap lightly, causing it to shatter into pieces and reveal a small pudding inside.
When they had nearly finished eating, Ashley Shaw remembered something, putting down the knife and fork, and looked at Cillian Xavier.
"Cillian... Archie, you mentioned before that once Ariana’s situation was resolved, you had something to tell me?"
"Yes."
Cillian Xavier’s mind wasn’t on the meal, and when Ashley Shaw brought it up, he decided not to keep it in anymore.
"I have something for you; it’s in the car, please wait for me a moment."
"Alright."
Ashley Shaw nodded, watching as Cillian Xavier left, and then took up her fork again, continuing to eat the remaining steak, bite by bite.
The taste... wasn’t as good as what she made.
But the ingredients were indeed top-notch.
However, in the next second, she suddenly felt as if she was enveloped by a gaze that seemed almost palpable.
She instinctively looked up to find herself meeting a pair of bright, dark eyes.
It was Warren Prescott.
Beside him was a girl who looked very petite, clearly a well-behaved type.
Ashley Shaw’s gaze passed over the two, then naturally lowered her head again to continue battling with her steak.
Yet there was a faint hint of sarcasm in the curve of her lips.
In her previous life, she had thought Warren Prescott was very devoted, willing to break ties with Grandpa Prescott for his first love, not to mention that he had never shown any genuine kindness to her, his wife.
Even later, his affair involved a girl who looked very similar to his first love.
She was heartbroken, yet admired Warren Prescott’s loyalty.
Now, it seemed that this "devoted man" was nothing more than that.
She really had been blind.
...
Warren Prescott was here today to have a meal with the daughter of a business partner.
Lars Prescott had given him a project with a wide scope, providing great learning potential.
Fortunately, the business partner was easy to work with and an old friend of Lars Prescott; aside from a few technical issues, their communication went smoothly throughout the process.
The project contract was signed today, but the partner had caught a bad cold unexpectedly and sent his daughter instead.
Naturally, there was also intent to set them up.
After realizing this, Warren Prescott originally intended to let Assistant Lowell handle it, but when he learned that the girl already had a loving boyfriend, kept secret from her father, he agreed to come and sign the contract personally.
After signing, the girl asked him to have a meal with her to appease her father.
The venue was also her choice.
Unexpectedly, they ran into Ashley Shaw here.
In the next moment after he saw Ashley Shaw, she also looked at him.
Before he could decide what expression to show, Ashley Shaw had already looked back down, focusing completely on her steak.
As if she hadn’t seen him at all.
Warren Prescott’s brows furrowed slightly, just about to say something, when his eyes caught sight of the cake on Ashley Shaw’s table.
The figurines wearing wedding attire and kissing on top of the cake were quite eye-catching.
This sight also led him to notice the roses on the empty chair beside her.
Warren Prescott’s pupils contracted, the crease between his brows deepening.
Who was she having a meal with?
"Warren..."
A soft female voice sounded next to him.
Warren Prescott redirected his gaze to look at Livia Sutton, the business partner’s daughter.
Livia Sutton wore an apologetic and helpless expression.
"I’m sorry, we might need to change to another restaurant."
Warren Prescott cast an inquisitive glance, only to hear her say, "We’re a bit late, all the slots are reserved. However, I saw that the opposite restaurant looks quite good, and they serve Western food too. Why don’t we eat over there?"
Since the meal was just for show to her dad anyway, what they ate was of little significance.
But she was a bit intimidated by Warren Prescott.
Aside from discussing business and signing contracts, he wished not to utter a single word.
His aura was chilling enough to freeze someone!
Hence, when she spoke, Livia Sutton was extremely cautious, afraid of displeasing him.
"No seats?"
"Yes." Livia Sutton nodded, pointing at an empty table near them, "You see, those empty seats all have reserved signs. The manager said if we want to eat here, we’ll have to wait until some guests leave."
"No worries." Warren Prescott glanced toward Ashley Shaw’s direction, "I just happen to see a friend here. Do you mind sharing a table with my friend?"