Beyond the Divorce by Third Blossom

Chapter 136 The Quirky Cousin

I was surprised Stella invited Atlas to join us.

“He might be late since he went to Operose. He’s on his way back now, so we don’t have to wait for him to start eating,” she casually explained, “I impulsively decided to invite him. Atlas called me and asked what I wanted to eat, but I told him about our meal. You don’t mind, do you?”

I replied, “Of course not!”

Although I said that, I felt uneasy. I felt I wasn’t telling Stella the truth when I said I didn’t mind. Still, I couldn’t tell this sincere and harmless girl that.

“That’s good,” she said, handing me the menu, “I ordered a few dishes since it’s our first meal together. I

don’t know what you like, so please choose.”

Her warmth made her more approachable. It differed from our first encounter when she seemed more. indifferent and arrogant. I remembered how she glanced at the other diners the other day. Her expression was a significant contrast from her current one. She seemed like two different people.

I chose dishes from the menu and returned it to the waiter. Then, I turned to Stella and said, “I’m sorry for

not contacting you much lately. I’ve been busy.”

you’re busy,” Stella had a pleasant voice, “I admire you for

own

surprised that someone still admired me despite my company’s struggles. Stella’s comment sounded somewhat sarcastic, but I couldn’t blame her for not knowing its struggles.

our dishes arrived, and Lasked her, “Mr. Atlas must be busy

wait for him to eat?”

quickly hid her surprise. “Oh, we don’t need

I had misspoken. “D–Did

can start without him! Besides, I’m sure you’re hungry. He might take a while to reach us,

Let’s eat while we wait.” Stella

strode into the restaurant. He drew

and continued gazing

at me with a faint smirk,

continued to smile. She playfully scolded Atlas, “You’re too slow. We would’ve finished and left if you came any

the waiter to order a

gaze on me from a distance. I knew it must be Melanie and thought she didn’t hold back her contempt for me.

“Ms. Chloe, did you know Atlas before working with him?”

truthfully, “No, I didn’t. We only met after starting

wonder,” she murmured.