Chapter 40
"The Lancaster family booked the premier venue?"
Hazel's voice cracked as she grabbed Dahlia's arm, eyes bulging. "Dahlia! Is your fiancé coming too? Did he book the premier venue to surprise you?"
That single sentence was like a pebble dropped into a pond—the entire observation deck exploded.
"Oh my God, Dahlia, you're so lucky!"
"The Lancaster family heir specially booked the premier venue for a date with you? This is straight out of a romance novel!"
"Dahlia, you've been keeping this from us! No wonder you wanted to come to La Perle Blanche today—you had plans with your fiancé all along!"
Every gaze turned to Dahlia, faces full of envy and awe, surrounding her completely.
Dahlia held her champagne flute, her smile freezing for a moment.
Her mind was in chaos.
If Reginald really had booked the premier venue, it definitely wasn't for her.
He wouldn't even meet with her—why would he specially book a venue to surprise her?
Unless... it was for Lucinda.
That thought hit her like a bucket of ice water, chilling her from head to toe.
Her fingers clenched the glass stem, knuckles white, nails nearly digging into the crystal.
Lucinda. Again.
Why did everything belong to Lucinda?
The engagement was hers. The ring was hers. And now even the premier venue Reginald specially booked—that was for her too?
Dahlia took a deep breath, forcibly shoving down the hatred rising in her chest.
No. This wasn't the time to dwell on it.
Her friends were all here, every one of them watching her eagerly, waiting for her to confirm that Reginald had come for her.
If they saw Reginald walk in holding Lucinda's hand, where would she put her face?
"Stop making wild guesses." Dahlia let go of Hazel's hand, her tone deliberately casual. "The Lancaster family is here on business today. Reginald doesn't have time to keep me company. The premier venue is for entertaining their VIP guests—it has nothing to do with us."
She paused, then put on a gracious smile. "Besides, they're conducting serious business. Why would we stick our noses in? Come on, let's go inside and eat. I ordered your favorite truffle tasting menu. It won't be good if it gets cold."
"We're not going to watch?" Hazel was reluctant, her gaze still drifting toward the estate's interior.
"Watch what? It's a business meeting. If we're peeking around, it'll look tacky." Dahlia chided gently, pushing Hazel's shoulder toward the entrance. "Let's go, let's go eat. I had such a hard time getting this reservation. Are you really going to waste it?"
The others were still a little reluctant, but after Dahlia put it that way, they couldn't very well insist on staying.
After all, the premier venue belonged to the Lancaster family, and Dahlia was the future wife of the Lancaster heir. If she said not to look, what more could they say?
"Dahlia's right. Let's not get in the way."
"Exactly. The Lancaster family is doing business. Why would we intrude? Come on, let's eat."
The group chatted and laughed as they walked into their reserved area.
Dahlia walked at the back. When she reached the entrance, she couldn't help glancing back.
The car had already stopped in front of the courtyard entrance.
The door opened. A tall man stepped out, walked around the front of the car, opened the other door, bent slightly, and extended his hand to help a young woman out.
The woman took his hand and stepped down. The two stood together, looking as harmonious as a painting.
It was Reginald and Lucinda.
Dahlia's nails dug into her palms.
She watched Reginald lean down and say something to Lucinda, a smile on his lips.
She watched Lucinda look up at him, then the two walk side by side into the courtyard.
Dahlia bit her lip, using every ounce of strength to keep herself from rushing out there.
She turned around and strode quickly into the reserved room, shutting the door firmly behind her.
At the entrance, Reginald walked protectively beside Lucinda all the way to the depths of the courtyard.
Before they entered the private room, Brian had already delivered the gift box and left.
The moment Lucinda stepped inside, she immediately spotted the familiar box on the table.
Reginald gestured to his assistant, who stepped forward, lifted the lid, and turned the box toward Lucinda.
On the velvet tray, an entire jewelry set was neatly arranged.
Necklace, earrings, bracelet, rings—all in the same style as the piece from the mall the other day, but newer designs with more refined craftsmanship. This was Ethereal Jewel Studio's latest release.
Lucinda's gaze lingered on the tray for a moment.
Every gemstone, every curve—she'd stayed up late sketching them over the past few days.
From design to finished product, she'd personally overseen every step.
And now it was packed in a gift box, held by Reginald's assistant, and presented to her.
Her mouth twitched slightly.
Reginald saw her expression and thought she didn't like it. His tone grew cautious. "You didn't accept the one at the mall that day. So I had my assistant order Amy's newest collection. I thought you might like something new."
Lucinda looked at the jewelry set, then at Reginald's face, which was clearly asking, 'Do you like it? Please say you do.' She stayed silent for two seconds.
"I'll take it," she said.
Reginald's eyes lit up.
Lucinda said nothing more.
If she didn't accept it, he'd just keep buying more.
Then she'd have to stay up all night rushing orders, working herself to death.
Might as well accept it. Easier that way.
Reginald's smile spread from his eyes. He personally took the necklace from the tray and stepped behind her.
His fingers brushed the stray hairs at the nape of her neck. The clasp fastened. The sapphire pendant hung just below her collarbone, glowing faintly with a deep, mysterious light.
"Beautiful," he said, stepping back to look. He added, "Even more beautiful than I imagined."
Lucinda glanced down. She said nothing.
The manager of La Perle Blanche personally wheeled in a cart.
Dishes were brought out one by one, plated so exquisitely they looked like art.
Truffle soup, Chilean sea bass, black pepper steak, seasonal vegetables—every dish had been pre-selected by Lucinda. The portions were modest, but each was something she loved.
She picked up her utensils, speared a piece of fish, and put it in her mouth. Her eyes narrowed slightly.
The taste was excellent.
Reginald sat across from her, holding a teacup, barely touching his utensils.
His gaze rested on her face, watching her eat.
She ate unhurriedly, chewing each bite carefully. When she tasted something she liked, her eyes narrowed slightly. When she didn't, her brow furrowed just a bit—but she never said anything.
He thought the way she ate was more beautiful than the bamboo grove outside the window.
By the time Lucinda reached the third course, she finally looked up at him. "Aren't you eating?"
"Watching you eat is enough for me."
Lucinda looked at him for two seconds, then lowered her head and continued eating.
Reginald smiled, withdrew his gaze, and turned to gesture to the assistant standing behind him.
The assistant bent down. Reginald murmured a few words in his ear.
The assistant nodded and quickly left.
Lucinda didn't ask. She kept eating her fish.
When dessert arrived, her phone buzzed.
She picked it up. It was a message from Tamsin: [Lucinda! Oh my God! Reginald is buying La Perle Blanche!]