Chapter 3: A Family Lunch

//11:35 AM//

Away from Mayfair Street.

In the suburbs of the lively foggy city, amidst elegant villas and courtyards flourishing with the beauty of their simple arrangement.

A blue Mercedes was greeted at the entrance as soon as it appeared by the butler of the Hanover Military Family.

As soon as Leon parked his car, he noticed a modern black Porsche next to a white German-made one in the family’s parking lot.

He didn’t look too surprised, but he frowned.

“Kristen is back” “...Naturally” She announced, looking at him, then shrugged her shoulders.

Meanwhile, she took the time to go out and arrange herself while waiting for him, and felt nostalgic.

Compared to the past, she clenched her fists on the elegant paper bag and sighed regretfully.

Currently, everything was still fine. So, she just needed a chance to improve it and change the situation.

“Let's go in” Leon, who walked near her; He gently held her hand supportively, as soon as he noticed the sparkle in her eyes and her strange stillness.

“Okay” she shook her head with a simple nod in the affirmative, then walked with him inside.

When she arrived, the first person she met after the butler was Kaiden from GX Elite, along with the Commander-in-Chief and Father, sitting in the open guest room on the first floor.

“Father” she called out.

Despite this, her limbs froze and her eyelashes secretly twitched, for a moment, when she saw the stiff Dennis there in front of her.

Specifically, towards that hand that Leon was holding on to.

And without realizing it, she had severed this kind of communication between them and lost the warmth, which upset someone.

Dennis, whose eyebrows were knitted in an unclear disturbance, had woken up as a result of her greeting.

“Hello” with a deep smile and a friendly tone, she walked straight towards him for a simple hug.

Mr. Evan, who was surprised and happy with her unexpected visit for a while, patted her on the back with pleasure.

"Hey"

Caiden, who was observing the situation, gently pursed his lips.

Dennis, who remained silent, limited himself to a softly casual smile and quietly.

At the same time, Leon's expression changed and he acted formal; Exactly, as his position suggests.

"How are you?" Kaiden asked hinting with a satisfied expression on his face.

"Good" she replied with a smile.

Immediately after that, Leon turned to Dennis and asked. “Are you here together for a meal?”

“Ah. Yes” Dennis explained monotonously, and looked at him with a stoic expression. “Mr. Evan decided to invite us for a purpose”

His voice was soft and heavy. Those dull looks revealed a deep, encrypted threat.

Caroline, who had remained silent, puffed out her cheeks childishly for a moment, then smiled again cheerfully.

“Dad, I brought a gift for you” she said, turning around, and then presented the paper bag she had left on the side and passed it to him.

Mr. Evan, who had not been accustomed to such kindness in the past, given the way she had been raised; His eyes sparkled with joy, and his features shone despite some wrinkles.

“Great. This is your first present, you’ve really grown up!” He expressed his gratitude with emotion.

Caroline, who was not accustomed to being complimented, had her cheeks flushed with an embarrassed smile.

“It won’t be the last… either” she asserted firmly, then whispered shyly under the gaze of Dennis and the rest. “I hope you like it”

“Nice..” Leon, who was chuckling silently at her behavior pulled her towards him a little, teasing.

“That’s a good improvement,” Kayden commented. “Keep going,” he added, with an encouraging look.

As a result, she nodded with curly lips, willingly.

In return, Mr. Evan couldn’t wait to open it.

The gift he received seemed ethereal and simple. He simply complimented her, even he liked it.

“Thank you! I’ll cherish it”

Dennis, who looked at her with a cautious frown, raised an eyebrow. ‘This sudden change in mood, it’s aroused him’

He had never had the chance to receive a gift from her. His mood had sunk to the bottom.

Someone was already feeling jealous here.

At the same time, Sir Geoffrey, the butler, stepped forward and announced. “Lunch is ready”

Immediately after that, everyone straightened up and walked in an orderly fashion towards the table.

Upon viewing, the sight was inviting and the fragrant smell of American southwestern chicken soup was refreshing.

As with the rest of the dishes, it consisted of grilled steak with mashed potatoes and shallot onions. A green salad, with cranberry slaw for dessert, and fresh juice.

As soon as Father headed to the front of the table, Caiden forcibly pulled Leon under his gaze; Which forced Dennis and Caroline to sit close together, with a casual expression on the other side.

“Bon appetite”

Mr. Ivan, with a friendly smile, announced the beginning of the meal, allowing the rest to respectfully proceed with etiquette.

“Bon appetit!”

Leon, who was enjoying his southern soup, was interrupted by an outgoing message after a while, leaving his expression clouded indifferently.

<The plane will take off soon. Come at three o'clock›

When he noticed the screen, he let out a stifled exhale through his nose and then put it back in the pocket.

“Who?” Caroline, who looked at him with sparkling eyes, asked.

“Ah… It’s Nam Shin. He will arrive this evening. I am going to receive him. Are you coming?” He raised an eyebrow, making eye contact, and she shook her head.

“No. I’m thinking of staying here longer” she explained.

“Oh. Okay” He was silent for a moment, stumbling, then smiled stiffly. “Since you’re staying here, I’ll be at ease then”

Immediately after that, Mr. Evan blurted out, hinting. “Exactly. No need to worry. Dennis will be here to pick her up this evening”

“That’s right” Kaiden laughed at his expression openly, then poured himself some juice.

Caroline, noticing Dennis' clenched jaw and nervousness from the corner of her view, took a crispy, fragrant slice of steak and placed it in front of him with a calm expression.

"Eat"

In return, he looked at her strangely surprised, then spread his lips together in a gentle smile and approached. "Thank you"

At the same time, Mr. Evan who watched the situation sighed hopefully, contemplating.

Leon, who had seen her giving him more at the time, had lost his tongue and no longer commented.