Pearl Garden

A faint smile appeared on the corner of Xander's lips when he saw the girl sitting.

"You learn fast, Mrs. Riley. I like that attitude of yours. Keep improving." He said in a cheerful tone like he was praising a child.

"...." Scarlett.

She wanted to say something, but no words left her lips. She buried her head and started eating. She swallowed the tasteless piece of meat hard while scolding herself for allowing this mean prince to mock her.

Somehow she hated herself the way she was now. Her attitude after meeting this guy is completely opposite of her usual self. She had never been jealous like now. What's more neglected was the food served for her—she was a foodie. Any food she can eat will taste good on her tongue.

But now? That's weird. All the food she ate now tasted bland. But she endured it. Still ringing in her ears, what Xander had said earlier; this food will go in the trash bin if she doesn't eat. But how could she eat alone? This is too much for her alone.

Scarlett feels helpless.

If only Cruz was here, all this food would undoubtedly be devoured.

She suddenly realized Xander was sitting and staring at her. Slowly she raised her head.

"X-Xander, are you not eating?" She maintained her Monalisa smile even though she cursed him many times in her heart to vent her anger.

"I already ate."

Scarlett lowered her head again and continued eating.

'Of course, you have eaten. With your woman, right? Why bother eating with me again?'

She sighed silently before shoving her food into her mouth.

Xander watched the girl eating so fast. She looked like a hamster, puffing out her cheeks and chewing nonstop. She looked adorable, but he could feel something was upsetting her.

'Did she see the gossip news out there?' Xander frowned, trying to figure out her mood. But it's hard to read her eyes. This girl lowered her face, so her nose almost touched the plate in front of her.

He was amused. He was sure this girl was a kitten if he didn't see her hand move.

"Did you read the news?" He was sure this girl's mood must be related to that.

Scarlett, who had just put the delicious grilled meat in her mouth, raised her head to look at Xander. Her eyes blinked a few times as she chewed the meat. After she swallowed it, she drank the water before she said, "Hmm, I read it. Is your lunch date over?"

Instantly Xander Riley's face darkened. A glint of displeasure radiated from his piercing eyes staring at her. For a split second, their eyes met each other. But no words came out of either of them.

'Why does he look angry at me? Did I misspeak?'

Scarlett looks confused at how dark Xander's face is now. And his gaze felt intimidating. It felt like he wanted to slap her face through the look in his eyes. Another low sigh escaped her lips.

How could she like a man like this? He was too cold, intimidating, and not gentle at all.

After just a few days with this man, she could already judge his character. He was far from what any woman out there who wanted to be his girlfriend would secretly accept.

If they only knew this man had a terrible attitude, she guaranteed they would back off regularly, just like her feeling now. There is no future with a man like this. She better stick to her stance to stay away from him. She hoped that her heart would never betray her.

Scarlett quickly finished her lunch. Don't want to stay in the same room with him for too long. She wanted to go home and see her bedroom for the next 365 days she lived in his house.

****

Pearl Garden.

Luxurious townhouses for the powerful and wealthy people in this country. It is said that this place is known as a piece of heaven on earth.

It only took 15 minutes by car from the Riley Hotel to get to this place. Their car passed through the heavily guarded gate without stopping. The driver slowed down the car and waved his hand at the guard.

Scarlett had heard about this place, Pearl Garden.

This place is owned by the Riley Group. Only certain people can own property in this area.

Most of the families that lived here were just the Rileys and some of the most influential families in the country.

The housing unit here is also limited to about 30 units. Well, more precisely, they are called mansions.

The location of Pearl Garden is located in the middle of Cloudfront city. But when entering this area, it's like entering another world. This luxurious residential complex is surrounded by beautiful artificial forests and hills. In addition, in the middle of the Pearl Garden, there is a beautiful emerald lake.

This was the first time Scarlett entered this area. She didn't have family or friends who lived in this expensive property. Now, she felt excited and wanted to see this piece of heaven.

She was amazed when their car entered the Pearl Garden area. There was a tree canopy covering the road. It's as if they entered another world through a tunnel of shady but neatly maintained trees.

After a few minutes of passing through the tree canopy, her eyes saw a large lake surrounded by a beautiful garden with many blooming flowers and large trees in the same random place.

She saw running and cycling trails around the lake, and she could see some public facilities — cafes and minimarkets.

Now Scarlett believes this place is indeed a piece of heaven on earth. It looks serene and beautiful.

They passed several large houses and a golf course as they entered the Pearl Garden's vast area. The distance between one place and another is very far.

She never imagined living in such a luxurious place one day, not that she couldn't afford it, more like it was not her cup of tea.