Chapter 116 Go to the Auction and Take a Look Around
Vincent looked at him without answering right away, seeming to hesitate.
Vanessa looked at these people, feeling a bit unhappy. She gently tugged at Vincent's sleeve and said in a sweet voice, "Vincent, didn't we agree to go to that French restaurant? We already made a reservation."
Vincent nodded, then instinctively looked at Daisy. Daisy had her head down, talking to Luna, not looking at him.
"Okay," he suddenly said, "There's a French restaurant nearby, pretty good."
"Sounds great!" Felix blinked and lightly bumped Daisy's shoulder with his. "What do you think?"
"I'm fine with anything."
That settled it.
Vanessa suddenly gripped the bouquet of roses in her hand tightly. Her lips moved, but in the end, she said nothing.
The group headed to the restaurant.
Felix walked on Daisy's left, Luna on her right, holding her hand and chatting.
Vincent and Vanessa walked behind them. Neither spoke the whole way. Vincent had his hands in his coat pockets, walking at a steady pace, his gaze occasionally falling on the backs of those two ahead.
The restaurant was large. They got a private room with a round table that could seat over a dozen people.
Felix wasn't shy at all. Just as Vincent was about to grab the menu, Felix snatched it first and handed it to Daisy. "See what you'd like to eat."
Vincent's expression shifted slightly as he watched Daisy naturally take the menu and order two dishes he'd never heard her order before.
These must be what she likes.
I'm only finding out now what she likes to eat.
Vincent shook his head slightly.
After Daisy ordered, she passed the menu to Luna. Luna couldn't read many words and just randomly pointed at pictures. "I want this! This! And this!"
Daisy laughed. "Okay, okay, you can't have this one or this one, and this milk sticky rice needs to be changed to coconut milk."
Luna's little face immediately fell.
Vanessa chimed in, "She likes it, a couple of bites won't hurt. We had it last time we went out too."
Luna immediately turned and hugged Vanessa's neck. "I knew Auntie Vanessa is the best! Mom, just a little bit won't matter! I had it last time and nothing happened!"
As she spoke, she glanced at Daisy's expression from the corner of her eye.
Daisy sighed helplessly. "If you like it, go ahead and eat it."
For some reason, even though Daisy had given permission, Luna felt a wave of disappointment.
She couldn't explain why. She just knew it wasn't like this before. Daisy used to be strict with her and really cared about her health. Only Auntie Vanessa indulged her and encouraged her to try things.
Back then, she practically hated her mom and just wanted Auntie Vanessa to be her mother instead.
But now, when her mom was being indulgent too, she wasn't happy at all.
Maybe it wasn't indulgence or encouragement at all, but just not caring.
Vincent also ordered two items. While waiting for the food, a server brought over the restaurant's freshly mulled wine.
Felix grabbed it first and poured Daisy a full glass. "Try this one, it should taste way better than what we had outside."
Daisy smiled at him. "Not necessarily."
She picked up the glass and took a big sip. Rich fruity aroma—it really did taste much better than what they'd had outside.
Vincent took the bottle from Felix, pressed his lips together, and without asking, filled Vanessa's glass too.
"Try it."
He didn't drink any himself, just slowly ran his fingers along the rim of the glass, his face expressionless.
The dishes came out one by one.
Luna was already hungry and didn't need Daisy's help, shoveling food into her mouth.
Vanessa thoughtfully handed her a napkin. "Slow down, look, you're getting sauce everywhere."
"No!" Luna glanced at her between bites. "Didn't you say last time that eating shouldn't have so many rules, that I should eat however I want!"
Vanessa's face stiffened. She said nothing more.
Felix was eating when he suddenly remembered something. "By the way, Ms. Hart, at the end of this month, I think it's a Friday, there's an auction. Do you know about it?"
Daisy paused while cutting her steak.
"What auction?"
"Antique jewelry special." Felix said. "I heard from a friend that there's a set of high jewelry, really good quality, emerald and diamond, the highlight of the whole auction!"
Only then did Daisy remember—hadn't she given her jewelry to her uncle to auction off? Timing-wise, it should be this auction.
"Why, are you interested?"
Felix smiled. "I'll go check it out first. My mom keeps going on about wanting to buy a jewelry set, and I don't know what to get her. Ms. Hart, do you have time? Come with me to look?"
Since it was her own jewelry being auctioned, Daisy had no reason not to go. She readily agreed.
Hearing them talk, Vanessa glanced at Vincent. Vincent was looking down, drinking tea, as if he hadn't heard Felix's words.
She pressed her lips together and put down her fork.
Only then did Vincent look up at her. "You want to go?"
"You promised me!"
There was something like that.
Vincent thought for a moment. He didn't have anything going on that day anyway, so he nodded. "Okay, I'll go with you."
Luna immediately looked up, her mouth still stuffed with steak, mumbling, "I'm going too! I want to hold up the paddle!"
Daisy looked at her with a smile. "Do you even know how to bid?"
"I know!" Luna puffed out her little chest. "Whoever holds it highest wins! I'll hold mine the highest!"
Everyone at the table laughed.
Daisy patted her head. "I don't mind, but it's up to your dad whether he takes you."
"We already agreed last time! Right, Dad?"
The corners of Vincent's mouth curved slightly. "Okay, I'll take you."
Vanessa's fingers quietly clenched the tablecloth, her face darkening.
After dinner, the group walked out of the restaurant.
It was getting dark, and the colored lights on the street were on, illuminating the whole street.
It was snowing—fine, sand-like snowflakes falling on their hair and shoulders, melting quickly.
Luna held Daisy's hand and wouldn't let go. "Mom, come home with us."
Daisy crouched down and helped her tie her scarf properly. "I'm not going. You go back with your dad."
Luna pouted. "But I want to spend Christmas with Mom."
Daisy looked at her, feeling a bit of an ache in her heart, but she didn't soften. "Maybe next time."
She stood up, nodded at Vincent, and turned to leave.
Felix walked beside her. The two of them walked side by side in the snow. When they'd gone some distance, someone must have told a joke, because they both laughed together, their shadows stretched long by the streetlights.
Vincent watched them until Vanessa shook his arm. "What's wrong? Can't bear to see her go?"