Chapter 352 All Preference
However, before Benjamin could speak up to ask them to leave, Evelyn beat him to it, saying, "Since she's Anna's friend, why don't you sit down and eat with us? We ordered plenty of food anyway."
Hearing her speak, Olivia instinctively glanced at her.
Then she saw a gleam of interest flash through Evelyn's eyes.
Based on her understanding of Evelyn, Olivia knew this woman was in the mood for some fun.
Though she didn't know what Evelyn had in mind, Olivia wasn't going to spoil her fun.
So she also spoke up, "Anna, since Ms. Kingsley wants to join us, have the waiter bring another set of utensils."
"Sure!" Anna replied with a smile and immediately instructed the waiter at the door.
Then she sat down with Aurelia, arm in arm.
Aurelia had originally wanted to sit next to Andrew, but Anna forcibly pulled her by the arm to a seat nearby.
Then Aurelia watched as Anna sat in the spot she had wanted.
Anna felt no guilt about separating Aurelia from Andrew.
She said softly, "Aurelia, sorry about that. I've been really busy lately, which is why I kept turning down your invitations.
It was all because of Andrew; he piled a lot of work on me. Since I just came back to take over, I need to earn the respect of the people under me.
So I didn't dare slack off."
Aurelia noticed her attitude toward her was no different from before, but for some reason, her heart felt tight.
Her appearance here tonight to create this "chance encounter" was indeed deliberate.
Because over the past month or so, Anna had been refusing her invitations.
And Andrew had even brought his child to the office.
Though she hadn't seen it herself, word had already spread throughout their social circle.
She had grown anxious, worried that without any progress on her part, Anna—whom she had counted on—might be won over by someone else and side with Olivia instead.
So over the past month, she'd sent plenty of gifts.
But each time, no matter what she sent Anna, she received an even better gift in return.
This clearly showed Anna didn't want to owe her anything.
At first, Aurelia thought she was overthinking it.
Because Anna had always been proper and would never take advantage of friends.
But sometimes, Aurelia wished she wouldn't be so formal with her.
Today, when she finally learned Anna had a day off, she took the initiative to come find her.
But she was still turned down.
Left with no choice, Aurelia had someone track Anna's whereabouts, which led to the scene just now.
But she never expected Olivia would also be here!
The moment she saw her, Aurelia's hands clenched into fists.
It took all her strength to keep her expression from showing any cracks, though inside she was furious.
Andrew had actually arranged for Anna and Olivia to have dinner together in private!
He didn't avoid it at all and brought this woman in front of his family!
This was absolutely outrageous!
Was he planning to have Anna accept her first, then gradually break it to the family and bring her home?
After all, Anna was the Hamilton family's most beloved.
Even the usually stern Finnegan couldn't do anything about her.
Even when the family disagreed with something, as long as she acted cute, everyone would give in.
Did he value this woman that much?
If there weren't so many people present, Aurelia's angry gaze would have been impossible to hide.
Even so, she still tried hard to control her emotions, smiling as she replied to Anna, "It's okay, I know you're busy.
But don't blame Andrew either. After all, Skyward Corporation is so big, and usually he's the only one holding it together.
Now that someone can finally help share the workload, he's giving you all this work because he trusts your abilities."
Anna smiled and said, "You really know how to talk."
Then she cheerfully served Aurelia some food, "Aurelia, I remember you like the food here. Eat more."
She was so warm, as if she didn't notice Olivia's presence at all.
Aurelia's initially angry mood felt somewhat comforted.
She quietly observed and noticed that after serving her food, Anna didn't give the same treatment to anyone else but just started eating on her own. This made her feel a bit better.
"Thank you, Anna, you actually remembered what I like to eat!" Aurelia thanked her with a smile and served her some food in return.
Then she said, "Here, you eat more too. You've been working so hard lately, you need to replenish your energy."
After interacting with Anna, Aurelia acted as if she had just noticed Olivia and Evelyn's presence.
She smiled gently, with a dignified and friendly tone, saying to them, "Ms. Smith, Ms. Thomas, this restaurant is one of Andrew's properties. The food here is excellent.
The chefs here have all won international awards and were hired with high salaries. They're very popular with Harmony City's elite. You should try more dishes."
At this point, she paused.
Then continued, "Come to think of it, we've met at parties before, just never had a chance to get to know each other better. Today is quite a coincidence."
Olivia looked at her polished expression, her eyebrows slightly raised.
Aurelia indeed had some skills.
She was really good at keeping up appearances.
If she remembered correctly, their only real interaction was at the last cocktail party, when Aurelia said she was Andrew's stain.
The disgust back then was undisguised.
Now she was acting like nothing happened, chatting with her in a gentle tone.
And the way she was playing hostess made it seem like she was tonight's host.
Olivia found it amusing but responded politely, "We will, Ms. Kingsley. You eat more too."
Benjamin watched Aurelia's performance and let out a cold snort.
He couldn't help staring at Evelyn beside him, not understanding why she had asked them to stay.
Wasn't this just ruining everyone's appetite?
Evelyn also noticed his gaze and smiled as she gave him a look, telling him to watch Olivia and Andrew.
Since someone insisted on seeking out discomfort, let her have even more of it!
If Aurelia looked down on Olivia so much, let's make her furious!
Benjamin didn't get it at first.
Until Bianca called out to Andrew in her sweet childlike voice, "Daddy, I want to eat that!"
Andrew looked over when he heard her voice. Bianca was pointing at the crab on the table.
The private room normally had restaurant staff to help guests crack crabs.
But Andrew didn't like having people serving around him while eating, so he had sent them away.
Now, hearing Bianca's words, his eyes were gentle as he indulgently replied, "Okay, I'll crack it for you."
Hearing his voice, Aurelia instinctively looked at him, as if she couldn't believe these were words he would say.
But Andrew didn't give her a glance. He simply put on gloves and picked up the crab-cracking tools.
The man's movements were elegant.
Though he was doing the most ordinary thing, in his hands it looked like he was dismantling some elegant work of art.
Olivia watched, finding it quite amazing.
He actually knew how to crack crabs?
Evelyn was also quite surprised, "Is there anything Mr. Hamilton can't do?"
Benjamin said with a laugh, "Anna knows best.
There was a time when she loved clinging to Andrew. Since she's his only cousin, he was forced to learn many useless skills."
Anna immediately protested, "What do you mean useless? They're very useful!
If it weren't for me, would Andrew know how to take care of people so well?"
If not for her, they wouldn't be seeing Andrew's considerate side now!
Benjamin suppressed a laugh and played along, "Right, you're absolutely right!"
Olivia was amused by their interaction.
Andrew worked quickly, cracking two crabs in no time.
One for Olivia, one for Bianca.
Anna watched enviously and whined, "Andrew, I want one too!"
Andrew removed his gloves and picked up a wet towel to wipe his hands, showing no intention of continuing.
He calmly replied, "Have Benjamin crack one for you."
Anna's face fell, "Really? You don't care about me anymore?"
Now that he had Olivia, there wasn't even a crab for her?
Benjamin doted on her though, and immediately got to work, comforting her, "It's okay, I'll do it for you!"
Anna immediately cheered up, "Great, you're the best!"
Then she watched him expectantly.
Benjamin was also efficient, and soon cracked two.
One for Anna, and one placed in front of Evelyn.
As for Aurelia...
Benjamin didn't lift a finger, his voice cold as he said, "Ms. Kingsley, I don't know your preferences, so I didn't crack one for you. I hope you don't mind?"
This was clearly everyone getting one except her.
How could Aurelia not see he was doing it on purpose?
Her expression stiffened a bit.
Even maintaining a forced sense of composure was becoming difficult.
She felt like an outsider here.
These people in front of her got along so well, while she was like a thorn forcibly inserted among them.
What made it even harder for her was Andrew.
Such a noble man, yet he personally did these things for another woman.
If that person were her, it would be fine.
But it was Olivia and that little bastard!
How could he?
How could he favor those two so much?
But Aurelia had no right to question him about anything.
If she spoke up, she might even incur his displeasure.
After struggling internally, Aurelia could only force herself to endure, letting jealousy grow wildly in her heart.
However, cracking crabs was just the beginning.
As Olivia and Bianca ate the crab he had cracked, Aurelia witnessed Andrew picking out fish bones for Olivia and serving her soup.
Wiping Bianca's mouth as if no one else was there, taking care of her meal.
His gentle and considerate manner was something she had never seen before.
Just as Anna had said, he had suddenly become caring.
This was what she had wished for countless times.
She had also wanted him to change for her.
Now he had indeed become gentle, no longer that cold and heartless person.
But it was all for someone else, making her heart race with longing while remaining completely out of reach!