The Wrong Woman

Candice rose to her feet as well. Elio seemed slightly flustered. He quickly suggested, "Since you're already here, why not stay for dinner?"

Jasper hesitated, glancing at Elio, who gestured toward the dining table where a maid set out the dishes.

"It's already dark outside. You'll be hungry if you head back now. Why not eat here?" said Elio.

Jasper looked over at Candice. Unperturbed, she replied, "I'm fine with either option."

Feeling a twinge of sympathy for Elio's loneliness, Jasper headed over to the dining table with a faint smile. "Alright, let's stay and have dinner with Uncle Elio."

Candice pulled out her phone and sent a message to Florence. "Grandma, Jasper and I will have dinner out tonight. Don't wait up."

back, and her gentle gaze met his. Elio's emotions seemed heightened, his typical cold

said, "I asked the chef to prepare some of your favorites-stuffed

her a

she liked these dishes? Wasn't this dinner invitation quite sudden? And how had he managed to prepare her favorite dishes so

quickly moved aside, allowing her to walk past him toward the dining table, and followed

she was struck by the sight of the table laden with her

but tease, "Uncle Elio, you've really laid it on thick with this meal. Everything here is exactly

bowl of soup Jasper handed her. She began to sip it quietly. Jasper sensed there

etiquette was marked by elegance and formality. He ate quietly, without speaking

and Jasper exchanged a glance before turning to observe Elio. They admired his posture at the table; he really did

the intensity of

heads and resumed eating awkwardly. The remainder of the dinner

as it was only 8:00 pm. The maid brought some fruit, and the trio settled into the living room to watch a