"Mr. Gustin, I'm sorry, I'll get you new plate right away," Susan hurriedly approached.
Olivia wiped Paige's mouth, looking apologetic as she glanced at Enrico. "Mr. Gustin, perhaps it's better to let Miss eat outside; she might disturb you."
"No need." Enrico took the hot towel handed by Jaden to wipe his hands, his tone brooking no objection.
Olivia was worried Paige would spoil Enrico's mood, so she picked up the bowl and spoon to feed her.
"What does she like to eat?" Enrico lazily asked while watching Paige eat. Her eyes were dull, her expression blank, and her eating was mechanical.
Olivia answered, "Miss isn't picky, she eats whatever is made."
"Is that so? But she shouldn't be too undiscriminating. For instance, junk food like barbecue shouldn't be eaten."
'Why did he mention barbecue? Could he have recognized me at the night market?'
A chill ran down Paige's spine. She didn't know if he was testing her or just casually mentioning it.
Olivia couldn't help but laugh at his words, "Mr. Gustin, rest assured, although we're not top chefs, we pay extreme attention to dietary health. How could we let Miss eat barbecue?"
Enrico stood up from his chair, pacing slowly over to Paige. He leaned down slowly, his handsome face nearing her ear, and lifted her chin with one hand, blowing a breath into her ear, his voice husky-
"This is good. What my people eat or don't eat is up to me."
"Little one, if you don't behave, the consequences will be severe, you know?"
Paige shivered, realizing he had recognized her.
As she started to stand, Jaden interjected, "Boss, she doesn't understand. Let Olivia and Susan handle her diet."
Enrico lowered his gaze to her impassive face, seemingly seeing through her.
Suddenly, he chuckled, "True, how could a mental patient understand?"
Paige was perplexed: if he hadn't recognized her, why say such things in front of her? If he had recognized her at the night market, why hadn't he exposed her?
Enrico took Paige's fair hand in his palm; on her delicate wrist was a silver electronic bracelet. "Can this thing be removed?"
"This electronic bracelet is made of special materials, very sturdy. It can't be opened without special tools, and those tools are only purchased by the Presidential Palace. Ordinary people can't get their hands on them."
"Is that so?"
"People from the slums have tried all means to escape to the city, even cutting off their hands to remove the bracelet," Jaden added.
In the eyes of the public, anyone sent to the slums was the worst of the worst. People from those places weren't even considered human.
Once people in the city spot someone wearing an electronic bracelet on their wrist, they immediately report it. Those caught will face extremely harsh penalties.
Paige knew this all too well, which was why she wore a long-sleeved dress when she went out today.
"So, with this thing on, she'll always be a dirty ghost from the slums."
Enrico rotated the electronic bracelet on her wrist; it didn't turn because it was too tightly adhered to her skin. He casually said, "It's too conspicuous. Modify it into a bracelet."
"Got it."
Now even Jaden looked bewildered. Was it really necessary to disguise this electronic bracelet? After all, she stayed inside Rose Estate and didn't go out. Who would know that the boss of the first conglomerate harbored a mentally ill person from the slums?
"Boss, are you staying here tonight?"
"Yeah," Enrico replied succinctly.
'No way... He's staying?' Paige felt a wave of panic wash over her. Just then, Enrico took a phone call.
"Back to the estate!" He hung up abruptly, his voice cold, and strode out without looking back. Jaden hurried to follow him.
Paige let out a sigh of relief; this day had been far too nerve-wracking.
"That scared me to death," Olivia said, sitting down beside Paige, her hand pressed against her chest.
Seeing Enrico leave, Susan set down the soup she was carrying from the kitchen and asked, "Why did Mr. Gustin leave?"
"He got a phone call, and he went back," Olivia replied mysteriously. "I bet it's about his father again."