Chapter 225 He Wants an Explanation, I Will Naturally Give It
Aurelia came to the restaurant address David had given her, filled with anticipation for the whole day.
Andrew was already there.
As Aurelia pushed the door open, the happy smile on her face froze halfway when she unexpectedly saw Benjamin's presence in the private room.
Her expression stiffened on the spot.
Why was Benjamin here too?
She had originally thought tonight's dinner would be a date between her and Andrew. She never imagined there would be another person.
Benjamin and Aurelia weren't particularly close, but they were both part of Harmony City's elite circle and had met a few times before.
He greeted Aurelia warmly and politely, "I heard Andrew was taking you to dinner tonight. I happened to be free, so I tagged along to join the fun. Ms. Kingsley, you wouldn't mind, would you?"
How could Aurelia not mind?
Her carefully prepared date had just been ruined!
She smiled stiffly, but still had to say graciously, "You're Andrew's friend. Since Andrew invited you, how could I mind?"
That was what she said, but actually, she looked down on Benjamin a bit.
This person couldn't compare to Andrew at all.
Andrew was a privileged golden boy, high above everyone else. Benjamin was just a castaway from the White family, and his mother's reputation was so terrible.
Yet he had no self-awareness at all, always following Andrew around.
And somehow, he had caught Andrew's eye.
Many people in Harmony City's upper circle secretly mocked Benjamin as Andrew's lapdog.
He didn't even have inheritance rights to the White family.
She was quite unhappy inside, but Aurelia didn't show it too obviously.
Because her target was Andrew.
No matter how much she disliked Benjamin, in front of Andrew, she had to try her best to appear friendly, to avoid making him unhappy.
Soon, Aurelia took her seat and looked at Andrew, asking, "Andrew, have you ordered?"
Benjamin chimed in, "We ordered a few dishes we like. We didn't know your taste, so just order whatever you want."
"Okay." Aurelia nodded gracefully and ordered two more dishes—ones Andrew liked to eat.
She did this because Finnegan had told her it would help get Andrew's attention.
But Andrew didn't give her an extra glance.
From the moment she entered until now, he had been drinking tea, and even his voice was indifferent, "Ms. Kingsley, has your work in Emerald City been going smoothly?"
Aurelia was delighted that Andrew had initiated a conversation with her.
She quickly nodded, saying, "Everything's been quite smooth..."
Andrew just said "Mm" and then fell silent.
This coldness was somewhat discouraging to Aurelia.
She began to feel anxious.
She had so much she wanted to say to Andrew.
But now with Benjamin here, she couldn't bring up many topics.
Yet Benjamin seemed oblivious, chatting freely with Andrew about professional matters.
Andrew responded to every sentence.
The two went back and forth, making Aurelia's presence feel quite unnecessary.
Aurelia couldn't help feeling frustrated.
Finally, when the food arrived, Benjamin's endless chatter was interrupted.
He smiled and urged Aurelia, "Ms. Kingsley, don't be shy, eat more. This restaurant's signature dishes taste great, very authentic."
"Mm, thank you." Aurelia nodded her thanks, but the exquisite dishes tasted like sawdust in her mouth.
Things being what they were, she could only wait for an opportunity tonight—wait for a chance to be alone with Andrew, then talk to him about returning to Harmony City.
Thinking this way, Aurelia spent the whole evening hoping Benjamin would finish eating quickly, or go to the restroom.
Unfortunately, the man sat steady as a mountain beside Andrew, with no intention of moving.
Clearly, he was very satisfied with this meal. Between chatting with Andrew, his fork never stopped moving.
He even had time to check on Aurelia, "Ms. Kingsley, why aren't you eating? Is the food not to your taste? Should we order something else?"
Aurelia smiled fakely, "No, I just eat less. Mr. White, you don't need to worry about me."
"I see..." Benjamin showed no embarrassment, saying quite calmly, "Seeing you not eating or talking, I thought the food didn't suit you."
Aurelia maintained her composure on the surface, but inside she was going a bit crazy.
As the one who caused this situation, didn't he have any clue why she wasn't eating or talking?
Aurelia had already looked down on Benjamin, and watching the time get later and later, impatience was growing in her heart.
So after holding back for a while, she finally spoke distantly, "Mr. White, would it be convenient for you to excuse yourself later? I have something I want to say to Andrew privately."
The hint to leave was already very obvious.
Unfortunately, Benjamin acted as if he couldn't understand her hint, replying with a smile, "Ms. Kingsley, whatever you want to say, just say it. Just pretend I'm not here."
In other words, he had no intention of leaving—she could speak or not.
Aurelia frowned.
This was the first time she'd met someone so shameless. She was even more furious inside, and her good acting skills almost couldn't hold, nearly revealing her emotions.
However, she ultimately held it in.
Because Andrew spoke up.
He looked at Aurelia coldly and said, "Just say whatever you need to say. Benjamin isn't an outsider."
He was taking Benjamin's side.
Aurelia felt somewhat wronged, but she didn't dare disobey Andrew's words.
After adjusting her emotions, she finally spoke, "I wanted to ask if you'll return to Harmony City with me this time?
The house in Harmony City is so big, and your grandfather has been living alone all this time. His days are very quiet, and he really hopes you'll come back.
As you know, he's getting older now. Whenever he has a headache or feels unwell, he especially misses his family, especially you.
He said your work in Emerald City doesn't seem as busy as before, so I thought I'd try to persuade you.
Last time, when he wasn't feeling well, I happened to be there and took care of him all day.
Even when he was sleeping, he kept calling your name."
Aurelia spoke very skillfully, playing the emotional card well.
She knew what words would touch Andrew's heart.
Benjamin, watching from the side, showed an expression of "just as I thought" and looked at Andrew.
Anyone would be moved by this, right?
Benjamin couldn't help being curious, staring straight at Andrew, waiting for his answer.
However, Andrew didn't respond as Aurelia had hoped.
He said flatly, "Regarding whether or not I'll return to Harmony City, I've already discussed it thoroughly with my grandfather. I have my own plans.
As for him calling my name, I also asked the butler about it. He was talking in his sleep, and in his dream, he couldn't help cursing at me."
This completely negated all of Aurelia's touching words.
Benjamin, hearing this, almost spat out the soup in his mouth.
Aurelia hadn't expected him to say this either. The expression on her face became hard to maintain.
But she didn't dare contradict Andrew's words.
Privately, of course, she desperately hoped Andrew would return with her.
After all, the two families had a marriage arrangement. With him away all these years, nothing could be settled.
She didn't just want the marriage arrangement—she wanted him!
Before coming, Finnegan had already promised that if Aurelia could successfully bring Andrew back this time, the Hamilton family would put the marriage arrangement between the two families on the agenda.
Aurelia was still young and didn't really need to rush this matter.
Unfortunately, recently in Harmony City circles, there had been constant rumors that Andrew had a new love interest.
How could Aurelia remain indifferent?
Plus, other socialites in Harmony City had been mocking her, saying she claimed to be Andrew's fiancée, but it was actually just a title in name only—Andrew had no intention of getting engaged to her.
Aurelia was really upset, which was why she became so anxious.
Now, Andrew's deflecting words made her unable to hold back. She pressed on, "Then when exactly will you return to Harmony City?
Are you still here because... there's some important person or matter you haven't finished dealing with?"
Her probing was too obvious—she was practically asking outright.
This had already crossed Andrew's boundaries.
His eyes darkened slightly. He didn't respond, but the displeasure that appeared between his brows already said everything.
Aurelia had overstepped.
Benjamin, watching the drama unfold, also felt Aurelia was taking herself a bit too seriously.
It was true that the Hamilton family and the Kingsley family had arranged a marriage.
But that was arranged by their ancestors, and it didn't specify that the groom had to be Andrew.
Yet Aurelia really considered herself Andrew's fiancée.
From the looks of it, she was about to be in trouble.
Sure enough, Andrew spoke next, his tone even colder than before, even somewhat ruthless, "Ms. Kingsley, I'm hosting you tonight because my grandfather asked me to, and I couldn't be too neglectful.
But my private affairs aren't for just anyone to ask about. Even my grandfather can't make decisions for me. Ms. Kingsley, what exactly are you trying to do?"
Aurelia realized what mistake she'd made.
Her face changed, and she quickly explained, "I didn't mean anything by it. I just wanted to give your grandfather an answer when I go back."
Andrew said coldly, "That's not necessary. Whatever answer he wants, I'll give it to him myself."
He was angry.
Aurelia's face paled a bit. She didn't know how to ease the current situation.
Seeing the tense atmosphere, Benjamin stopped watching the show and came out to smooth things over, "Ms. Kingsley, don't mind Andrew's words. That's just how he is. Let's eat. Come on, this dish tastes really good."
With a simple sentence, he lightly brushed past what had just happened and also suppressed Andrew's anger.
Aurelia didn't dare act up again and could only quietly eat.
After dinner ended, the three left the restaurant together.
Even though Aurelia had displeased Andrew, he still, out of courtesy, instructed his subordinate, "Take Ms. Kingsley back to her hotel."
Aurelia felt humiliated and embarrassed inside.
Not only couldn't she get through the door of Maple Grove Villa, she couldn't even get him to take her back to the hotel himself.
She reluctantly got in the car, watching the figures behind gradually disappear from view. She gritted her teeth, took out her phone, and instructed Tom, "After I return to Harmony City, help me keep a close eye on Andrew's every move. No matter what happens, you must report to me immediately!"
She wanted to see if his attitude toward that Evelyn was the same as his attitude toward her!