Chapter 98 I Don't Want You to Be Too Formal with Me
Hearing that, Olivia's unease seemed to melt away.
Her daughter, Bianca, was a sensible and considerate child. She'd surely know who truly cared for her.
Olivia nodded and comforted Bianca, "It's not that bad, sweetie. Just a little red. Don't worry."
Bianca still looked unsure, her brows furrowed tightly.
Olivia found her concern adorable and couldn't resist kissing her. Then she extended her hand, "How about you blow on it for me? It'll make the pain go away!"
Bianca nodded eagerly and puffed her cheeks, blowing on Olivia's wrist.
Bianca was already cute, but with her cheeks puffed up and her serious expression, she was irresistibly endearing.
Olivia's heart melted.
Andrew, usually indifferent, softened a bit as he watched from the side.
Bianca kept blowing until the waiter finished serving the dishes.
Dinner proceeded pleasantly enough, with no one mentioning what had happened downstairs earlier.
Olivia pushed thoughts of Michael to the back of her mind.
Worrying over someone who didn't trust her was a waste of emotion!
But Michael was still fuming after he left.
As soon as he got into the car, he barked at Robert, "Find out who that guy is and what his deal is!"
Robert hesitated for a moment, then said, "We couldn't find anything before. Maybe he's not from Emerald City."
Michael frowned. Not from Emerald City? Then Olivia would have even less chance of meeting someone from outside.
She didn't finish college and was invited by Emily to the Johnson family to treat her legs. Later, she married into the Johnson family. Over the years, she had mostly stayed in Emerald City and rarely visited her hometown.
Thinking back to his brief encounter with that man, Michael squinted, "Maybe he's from a reclusive family. Look into that."
"Got it," Robert said, then asked, "Should we keep waiting or head back now?"
Michael irritably tugged at his tie, "Let's go back."
He had no interest in watching Olivia dine with another man.
Robert didn't delay and quickly started the car.
Half an hour later, Michael arrived home.
Silverbrook Manor was silent, except for the orderly servants. It felt unusually empty.
Usually, he didn't mind, but tonight, it felt unsettling.
When had it started, this home no longer had someone asking if he was tired or Bianca running to greet him?
Only Finn came over respectfully, "Mr. Johnson, you're back early. Have you had dinner? Should I have something prepared for you?"
Michael hadn't eaten. He rarely dined at home, but there was always hot soup waiting for him.
Because of tonight's argument, Michael had no appetite and responded lightly, "No need, just a bowl of soup."
Finn was taken aback, "The kitchen didn't make any soup."
Michael slowly unbuttoned his shirt, "How could there be none? Olivia always had it sent."
Finn hesitated, "That was Mrs. Johnson's doing. She made the soup herself, tailored to your daily needs. Sometimes to relieve fatigue, sometimes to help you sleep after late nights. Now that she's not here, no one makes it. Yara tried before, but it didn't taste the same. You wouldn't like it."
Michael was stunned.
Olivia had made those soups herself?
Finn saw his surprised expression and sighed inwardly.
It seemed Michael had never known this. How much had he ignored to miss all of Olivia's efforts?
Olivia had no idea about this. After dinner with Andrew, it was already eight in the evening.
Being a gentleman, Andrew naturally dropped Olivia and Bianca off at their doorstep.
As she got out, Olivia habitually thanked Andrew in the back seat, "Thank you so much, Mr. Hamilton, for spending so much time treating Bianca today."
Half of Andrew's body was hidden in the shadows, the other half illuminated by the streetlight.
The light outlined his handsome features, and the sparkle in his deep eyes resembled a starry night.
He looked at her calmly, with a hint of amusement, "Ms. Garcia, you sure like saying thank you. You've said it at least ten times today! Didn't you already thank me with dinner? Why so formal?"
Olivia was taken aback, unsure how to respond. To her, a dinner couldn't repay his help with Bianca. No matter how hard she tried to show her gratitude, it never felt enough!
Andrew seemed to understand her thoughts and said warmly, "It's okay. If one dinner isn't enough, you can treat me to more. I don't mind."
"What?" Olivia was momentarily confused. Was Andrew asking her out again?
Seeing her bewildered expression, Andrew's amusement deepened, "What? Don't want to? Afraid I'll eat you out of house and home?"
"No, no. If you're willing to dine with me, I'd be happy to." Olivia hurriedly replied.
"Good, then next time, no more thank yous. Go on in, see you later!"
After saying goodbye, Andrew rolled up the window and instructed David to drive away.
The luxurious Maybach quickly disappeared into the night.
It was only then that Olivia realized what had happened, blinking in surprise.
Did Andrew mean he didn't want her to be too formal? If so, it meant Andrew already considered her a friend. Only friends wouldn't be so formal!
Next time, she could say thank you less!
Feeling enlightened, Olivia took Bianca upstairs.
At home, Vaughn, Victoria, and Evelyn were waiting for them.
As soon as they entered, Vaughn and Victoria rushed to ask, "How was it? How was the restaurant? Did Mr. Hamilton enjoy it? Were we good hosts?"
"He enjoyed it, the food was great, no issues." Olivia answered truthfully, "Thank you for the treat!"
Vaughn picked up Bianca, dismissing her thanks, "It's nothing. As long as he can help Bianca, we'd spend anything."
Victoria agreed, "Yes, and thanks to Evelyn's recommendation, we wouldn't have found such a good restaurant otherwise."
Evelyn smiled and was about to say it was no trouble when she noticed the marks on Olivia's wrist.
"Olivia, what happened? How did you get such heavy marks? Did someone hit you?"