Chapter 812 You Came Here Because of Allen?
Villain Ch 812. You Came Here Because of Allen?
Azura shifted slightly in her seat, her eyes darting to the table before meeting Jordan’s. “Sorry we rarely visit here,” she began, her voice soft yet steady. “We didn’t like it in the past. We know you’re busy. My family is also busy. We simply didn’t find a good reason to visit you.” She paused, the weight of her words hanging in the air.
“In the past, my family often came here to visit Emma’s mother, but after she passed away, we almost never visited again.”
Jordan’s smile was gentle, his eyes reflecting a mixture of understanding and regret. “Don’t mention it,” he said, his tone relaxed yet sincere. “I can understand all that. It hasn’t been easy for any of us.”
The room fell into a brief silence.
Emma, sensing the tension, tried to lighten the mood. “So, Dad,” she began, her voice a bit too cheerful, “any exciting news from the office today?”
Jordan chuckled, grateful for the change in subject. “Nothing too thrilling,” he replied. “Just the usual. But I did finish early so I could join you all for dinner.”
Azura nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. “It’s good to have you here, Uncle Jordan,” she said. “We’ve missed these family dinners.”
Jordan’s smile widened, and he reached across the table to squeeze Emma’s hand. “I’ve missed them too,” he said softly. “Let’s make a habit of this, shall we?”
Jordan gestured subtly to the servants, a slight nod that spoke volumes. Instantly, the well-trained staff moved into action, their steps choreographed in perfect harmony. The dining room, already a picture of understated elegance, was about to become a stage for a culinary symphony.
The first servant approached, carrying a tray with an array of appetizers. The delicate clinking of silverware on porcelain was almost musical as each dish was placed before them. There were tiny canapés topped with smoked salmon and caviar, miniature quiches with a golden, flaky crust, and artfully arranged salads that looked almost too beautiful to eat. Find your next adventure on My Virtual Library Empire
The presentation was immaculate, each dish a masterpiece of fine dining.
Azura watched in awe, her eyes wide with appreciation. “Wow, this is amazing,” she murmured, her voice filled with genuine wonder.
The appetizers were savored and cleared away. The main courses were brought in. The servants moved with practiced grace, presenting dishes that showcased a variety of culinary traditions. There was a succulent roast duck, its skin crispy and glistening with a honey glaze. Next came a platter of seared scallops, perfectly cooked and nestled on a bed of risotto, each grain of rice cooked to perfection.
And there was also roasted bone marrow.
Jordan savored a spoonful of roasted bone marrow, his eyes twinkling as he turned to Azura. “I heard you came here because of Allen?” he asked, his tone light but curious.
Azura froze, her fork hovering mid-air. Her eyes darted to Allen, searching for an explanation. Allen met her gaze, his expression a mix of confusion and innocence. He shook his head slightly, frowning as if to say, “I swear it’s not me.”
Azura’s gaze then shifted to Emma, who was casually eating as if nothing unusual was happening. Emma felt Azura’s eyes on her and looked up with a mischievous smirk. “Yes, Azura came because she has a crush on Allen,” she said, her tone relaxed and nonchalant.
Azura’s cheeks flushed a deep red, and she stammered, “Emma! That’s not… I mean, it’s not exactly like that.” She glared at Emma, who seemed thoroughly pleased with herself.
Allen even coughed in the results, nearly choking on his food. Emma’s comment had been way too bold, but then again, Emma was known for her audacity, especially considering how she’d tried to seduce him once before.
“Really?” Jordan asked Emma, his eyebrows shooting up in genuine shock. Despite his surprise, he didn’t seem overly worried or show any signs of disapproval. He knew that Allen and Azura weren’t related by blood, so the notion wasn’t entirely forbidden. However, he was aware that if Azura pursued such a relationship, the family might frown upon them. Many would likely disapprove of their union.
Azura’s face turned bright red, and she quickly tried to defuse the situation. “She’s just joking, Uncle,” she said urgently. “We’re cousins. There’s no way I have a crush on him.” Her voice was a bit too high-pitched, betraying her fluster. She shot a sharp glance at Emma, her eyes clearly saying, “Shut your mouth.” But the words she spoke left a bitter taste in her mouth.
The word “cousins” felt wrong, reminding her of the complicated dynamics in their family.
Emma just shrugged, unperturbed by the tension she’d created. “Hey, I was just teasing. Lighten up a bit,” she said, waving her hand dismissively.
“Ah, I see. It’s a joke,” said Jordan, trying to sound amused but ending up just sounding confused. “I don’t get kids’ jokes these days,” he added, shaking his head slightly. “Well, I’m just glad to see you two getting along. Family is important, and it’s nice to see you all here together.” He smiled warmly at Azura and Allen, hoping to steer the conversation into more comfortable territory.
Allen stayed silent, his mind racing. On one hand, he knew Azura did have a crush on him. But exposing her feelings like that wouldn’t do any good. What would be the point? He also couldn’t jump to Azura’s defense because he knew Emma was still pissed off after their fight in the game. Adding fuel to the fire would only make things worse.
Azura, catching Allen’s silence, tried to steer the conversation back to safer waters. “So, Uncle Jordan, I heard there’s a big project you’re handling right now. It’s related to Hell’s Gate, right?” she said, her voice steady, through her eyes betrayed her discomfort.
Jordan’s face lit up, clearly pleased with the change in topic. “Ah yes, the project is quite a challenge, but it’s coming along nicely. Sadly, I can’t tell you the details,” he said, his enthusiasm returning as he spoke about his work.