Chapter 38 Clown

Chapter 38 Clown
Erin's POV:

Early Wednesday morning, Harrison ran to my room. He opened my closet and pulled out a lotus pink lace dress, laying it on the bed.

"Mommy! Try this one! You look beautiful in it. For your date with the handsome uncle today, wear this one."

"Why aren't you two downstairs yet?" Kingsley came upstairs to hurry us along.

After seeing the dress on the bed, he shook his head and went to the closet to get another navy blue silk dress.

"This one's more suitable."

Harrison immediately pouted. "That one's for grown-ups, it's not pretty! Lace is prettier!"

He tugged at my sleeve, his little face full of insistence. "Mommy looks like a princess in lace!"

Kingsley's tone carried some seriousness.

"The restaurant has French vintage decor. Navy blue suits your temperament better, and lace dresses are inconvenient for movement. You might get sauce on them while eating."

He looked at me, his eyes actually hiding some expectation.

Two completely different voices echoed in my ears.

I looked at the pink and navy dresses in my hands, suddenly remembering the vintage decor I saw when searching for the restaurant last night.

My fingers brushed over the smooth silk fabric of the navy dress. It was indeed more dignified than lace.

And as Kingsley said, it would be more comfortable to move in.

I smiled and ruffled Harrison's hair.

"Let's listen to Daddy. This navy one is beautiful. Next time Mommy will wear a lace dress for you to see, okay?"

Though reluctant, Harrison still nodded.

The afternoon equestrian training went exceptionally well. After finishing, I changed clothes and hurried to Étoile sur la Seine.

When I pushed open the restaurant's carved wooden door, Kai was already sitting by the window waiting for me.

He wore a cream-colored casual suit, looking more gentle than when I last saw him.

"You're here?"

He stood up to pull out my chair, his gaze lingering on me for a moment, amusement flickering in his eyes.

"This dress suits you well. It makes you look radiant."

My cheeks warmed slightly. Being complimented put me in a good mood.

When the waiter brought the menu, I barely hesitated before ordering several dishes.

"Pan-seared foie gras with fig sauce, cream mushroom soup, and Burgundy beef stew."

These were all his favorites from before. Even after five years, I hadn't forgotten.

Kai was indeed stunned for a moment, raising an eyebrow.

"I didn't expect you to still remember I like these."

His fingers paused while flipping through the menu. "We both remember each other's preferences. I still remember when you were hospitalized because of peanut butter as a child. If I hadn't discovered it early..."

"It wasn't accidental ingestion."

I interrupted Kai. I had clearly told him about this before. Gloria had secretly spread peanut butter on my sandwich.

But he had forgotten.

"I told you it was Gloria who did it."

The air suddenly went quiet. The smile on Kai's face froze. He frowned and thought for a long time before speaking vaguely.

"Did that happen? I don't remember clearly..."

His tone carried obvious regret.

"There were too many things happening then. I've forgotten many details."

I felt somewhat sad. I had always treasured this memory because Kai had saved me, but he didn't care about it at all.

Kai seemed to notice my disappointment and quickly changed the subject.

"By the way, about Gloria bullying you at the club before, I apologize on her behalf."

He leaned forward slightly, urgency in his eyes.

"And about what I asked you to help with, the Thomas family's raw materials..."

I felt a bit guilty. Kai had helped me with the assessment, but I couldn't help him.

"I'm sorry. I asked the club owner, but he's not willing to help."

Kai's expression immediately darkened, his previously gentle eyes turning cold.

To avoid making the atmosphere too awkward, I picked up the menu and pointed to the dessert section.

"I heard the crème brûlée here is excellent. Want to try some? You always used to steal my pudding when we were kids. This time I'll treat you."

I forced a smile, hoping to ease his mood.

Kingsley's POV:

At five in the afternoon, I had finished all company business and returned to the castle early.

I sat on the sofa with a financial magazine in hand, but couldn't read a single word.

My gaze kept drifting to the wall clock, anticipation growing with each tick of the minute hand.

Last night I specifically had my assistant confirm the reservation information at Étoile sur la Seine.

I also arranged for the restaurant to prepare white roses that Erin liked.

At six o'clock, the butler walked in and bowed to ask.

"Boss, shall we serve dinner now?"

I glanced at the wall clock and shook my head.

"Wait a bit longer."

Erin's equestrian training usually ended at six. Adding travel time, she should be home by six-thirty.

At six-thirty, no familiar footsteps came from the entrance.

I picked up my phone to text her, but worried about interrupting her work. After hesitating for a long time, I put it down.

At seven o'clock, the wall clock chimed seven times. The living room still only had the sound of my and the butler's breathing.

I couldn't sit still anymore. I got up and walked to the bar counter, picked up my phone, and called the equestrian club.

"Boss, are you looking for Coach Erin? She left work before six."

"What?"

My fingers gripping the phone suddenly tightened.

"Did she say where she was going?"

The manager's voice carried hesitation. "No, she changed clothes and left in a hurry. It seemed like she had a date."

After hanging up, unease immediately surged through me.

She had already left work?

Still not home at this hour. Had she encountered danger on the road?

Or had her car broken down halfway?

I was about to grab my car keys to go find her when footsteps echoed from the stairway.

Harrison ran downstairs in his pajamas.

"Daddy, are you waiting for Mommy?"

He looked up at me with a curious expression.

My heart tightened, and I immediately put on a stern face.

"No, I was just reviewing documents."

If this little guy knew I was waiting for Erin, he'd definitely make a fuss about coming along, and all my plans would be ruined.

But Harrison didn't believe me at all and spoke smugly.

"You're lying! Mommy went to have dinner with that uncle and promised to bring me crème brûlée back!"

All the blood in my body seemed to freeze instantly. The car keys in my hand clattered to the floor.