Chapter 18 Dinner Is on Me
While Estella waited for Jonathan, she received a WhatsApp message from Selene.
“Stella, the internationally renowned pianist, your idol, Chase Chandl in Javerton. Tickets are extremely hard to get!”
Estella read the message, her excitement building.
is returning! I heard he’s bringing a band to perform
Chase Chandler was a musical prodigy whom she had admired since childhood. Unfortunately, she had never had the chance to attend one of his concerts.
“Once the tickets go on sale, I’m definitely going to grab one!”
“Let’s go together!”
Just as Estella was chatting with Selene, Jonathan came out.
Seeing him, Estella quickly put down her phone and stood up.
Jonathan smiled warmly. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”
Estella quickly waved her hand. “No, it’s my fault. I asked you out last minute.”
The two of them took the elevator down.
Estella asked, “What kind of food do you want?”
Jonathan replied, “How about Grentonese cuisine?”
Estella laughed. “Alright, Mr. Bennett, I heard you’re from Kingston, but you really like Grentonese cuisine?”
Jonathan answered, “I studied at a university in Grenton, and the local flavors grew on me. That’s how I came to like Grentonese cuisine.”
The two of them went to a well–known Grentonese restaurant nearby.
Jonathan politely pulled out a chair for her.
“Thank you.”
Jonathan handed Estella the menu. “After you.”
Estella didn’t hesitate, focusing on picking her favorite dishes. After making her selections, she handed the menu back to him.
“Dinner’s on me, so feel free to order whatever you
like.”
Jonathan noticed that she had chosen two seafood dishes, a salad, seafood risotto, and fish chowder.
He added a meat dish, two appetizers, and a pasta to the order.
The portions were just right, plenty to enjoy but not excessive.
Jonathan had a habit of cleaning his dishes when dining out. He even took hers to clean them.
Estella smiled. “Is this a Grentonese dining tradition?”
Jonathan carefully cleaned the dishes. “It’s an essential step. If I don’t do this, I won’t feel at ease while eating.”
Estella thought his serious expression was rather cute and couldn’t resist snapping a quick photo with her phone.
Afterward, she couldn’t help but admire the photo for a moment.
Jonathan wasn’t the most photogenic, but the picture had a great vibe, and she liked it a lot.
“What are you staring at so intently?” Jonathan asked as he neatly placed the dishes in front of her.
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Chapter 18 Dinner Is on Me
“Nothing.” Estella replied, putting her phone away and smiling as she watched him pour her water.
Finished
When the food arrived, Estella noticed Jonathan wasn’t eating the seafood and asked, “Mr. Bennett, don’t you eat seafood?”
Jonathan paused for a moment, then smiled. “I do, but I wasn’t always
He had never been a fan of the taste of seafood since he was youn ond of it.”
took a bite of fish.
but to avoid ruining the mood, he picked up his fork and
Estella smiled and served him the seafood risotto, placing it in front of him.
“This smells amazing. Try it.”
Jonathan raised an eyebrow, but eventually picked up his spoon and tasted it.
After they finished, Jonathan poured more water for her.
Estella sighed contentedly. “This place is really great.”
When she was with Nathaniel, they rarely went out to eat.
She cooked all their meals herself.
Nathaniel would even criticize her cooking.
When they first got married, she wasn’t very skilled in the kitchen.
But after being criticized, she improved a great deal.
Now, being able to relax and enjoy a meal at a restaurant made her happy.
Seeing her in a good mood, Jonathan smiled and handed her an invitation.
Estella looked at the invitation, confused, then glanced up at him.
Jonathan explained, “A friend invited me to this banquet, and I couldn’t refuse, but I also needed to bring a female companion. I only have two male assistants with me, so I could only invite you. May I know if you’re free that day?”
Estella, who had always wanted to repay him, hurriedly agreed when she saw his need.
“Sure, I’ll be free that day.”
When she agreed, Jonathan’s smile deepened a little.
“I’ll prepare your outfit, shoes, and jewelry.”
“It’s okay, I’ll prepare it myself.”
“How can that be?” Jonathan insisted. “It’s already a trouble for you, how can I let you spend extra?”
Estella had no choice but to listen to him.
After dinner with Jonathan, Estella rode back in his car.
Due to traffic on the way back, they took another route.
Passing Hediville Residence, Estella leaned against the window, looking at it with a nostalgic expression.
“I lived there when I was a child, and my dad even made a swing for me in the yard. Later, the company went bankrupt, and this villa was taken to settle debts. I’ve always wanted to buy it back, but unfortunately, I haven’t been able to.”
The villa at Hediville Residence was priceless but unmarketable.
Even if she sold the villa she owned, she could never buy back her home,
Jonathan, noticing her melancholic expression, tightened his grip on the steering wheel.
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*Once you earn enough money in the future, you’ll definitely be able to buy the villa back.”
Finished
Estella knew he was trying to comfort her. Wiping away a tear, she smiled at him. “Yeah, maybe there will be a day like that.”
Jonathan felt a sharp pain in his chest as he watched her force a smile.
He glanced at the rearview mirror, where the Hediville Residence was slowly becoming smaller, and his eyes darkened.
Nathaniel didn’t manage to meet Estella and finally went to Isabelle’s place.
Isabelle, knowing he was in a bad mood, patiently comforted him until his spirits gradually lifted.
To cheer him up further, Isabelle started talking about business related to Hartwell Group.
Nate. I heard that Jeremy, the president of Bennett Group in Kingston, will be coming to Javerton for a business trip soon. My dad is planning a banquet at Hollandale Hotel to entertain him. You should come with us!”
Nathaniel immediately perked up upon hearing this.
He had heard of the Bennett family in Kingston.
As the new leader of the Bennett family, Jeremy Bennett was highly capable, and under his leadership, the Bennett Group’s stock prices had been rising. Many people wanted to get in his good graces but couldn’t find an opportunity.
If Nathaniel could use this chance to meet Jeremy and establish a connection, there would be future opportunities to collaborate with Bennett Group, helping Hartwell Group’s development reach new heights.
He smiled immediately and gratefully said to Isabelle, “Belle, thank you for always planning things for me.”
Isabelle smiled and gently patted him, scolding, “Nate, don’t be silly? If I don’t help you, who will?”
Although Nathaniel hadn’t agreed to marry her yet, she was confident that by continually supporting Hartwell Group with resources, he’d eventually become dependent on her. When that time came, she was certain he would have no choice but to propose.
Moreover, she had another purpose for this banquet.
She had heard that Chase would also be attending with Jeremy.
She planned to use this opportunity to make friends with Chase, get into his band, and make a name for herself internationally.
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