Chapter 33: Confrontation

Chapter 33: Confrontation

In the face of an impending storm, Lydia Moore wisely decided to do her best to appease Aaron King before his temper exploded. If luck was on her side, she might just escape his wrath this time.

Her unusually cooperative attitude left Aaron King momentarily at a loss, unable to direct his anger at her. His legs, still numb from the awkward nap, made it impossible for him to stand and tower over her, asserting his usual dominance.

Frustrated with no outlet for his anger, Aaron King let out a low grunt. His eyes darted to the tray on the table, and suddenly, as if finding a convenient excuse, he fixed Lydia Moore with another glare. "Are you an idiot? A tray like that only needs one hand to carry, so why are you using two, you fool?" His domineering tone remained, even though he knew the reason was flimsy at best. But Aaron King was nothing if not stubborn, and he wasn't about to let go of his frustration without a fight.

Is that really why he's mad at me? Lydia Moore was speechless. Lately, it seemed Aaron King was finding increasingly ridiculous reasons to pick on her, as if he'd become addicted to tormenting her.

Still, not wanting to escalate things, Lydia kept her composure and smiled. "It's a basic courtesy as a waiter—it's a sign of respect to the customers. Every high-end restaurant you've been to would do the same, so you should be used to it by now." Given that Aaron frequented only the most luxurious establishments, she figured he had no valid reason to criticize her on this point.

"This isn't a high-end restaurant!" Aaron King snapped back, his expression sour. Despite knowing she had a point, his pride wouldn't let him back down. His eyes lost some of their usual sharpness, though, as he turned away from her, sulking. All the while, he silently plotted how he might double down on his revenge once the aches in his body subsided.

The daily theatrics between them subsided as Aaron King's temper cooled, leading to a rare moment of peace. Lydia Moore cherished the unexpected calm, focusing on making fresh juice and continuing her work with renewed energy.

Meanwhile, Lydia's aunt and uncle, who had witnessed the entire exchange, shared a knowing smile. Though Aaron King appeared arrogant and fiery, they saw through his façade. Beneath his tough exterior, they knew him to be a simple, good-hearted young man. Watching him bicker with Lydia was a source of amusement for them, as it brought a lively, dynamic energy to their little cake shop. Over time, they had come to regard Aaron as one of their own.

The door chime jingled softly as the autumn breeze stirred it, announcing the arrival of a new customer. A boy dressed in a white uniform shirt and soft khaki pants stepped inside, his features delicate and his presence clean and refreshing, like a breath of fresh air. Beside him stood a little girl, no older than seven or eight, her large eyes wide with fear and anxiety, glistening with unshed tears.

She took one look at the customers inside and quickly hid behind the boy, clutching his pants tightly as her small body trembled with terror. The boy knelt down, his voice gentle as he comforted her, his pale hand softly rubbing her back. His eyes were filled with warmth and affection.

Someone in the shop recognized him and whispered in surprise, "It's Julian Reed!" Upon hearing this, Lydia's aunt and uncle paused their work and walked over to greet him.

"Julian, Jenny Lin, what brings you here?" Lydia's aunt asked, her voice full of surprise as she smiled warmly at the boy. Her gaze shifted to the little girl at his side, and her brow furrowed slightly in concern.

"Mom, Dad," Julian Reed greeted them politely as he stood up. Even with his closest family, he maintained his courteous demeanor. Gently patting Jenna Reed on the head, he turned to his parents. "I came to see Uncle Luo's daughter. And... I think it's time for Jenny Lin to meet her too. It might help her move past what happened."

Since the incident three years ago, Jenny Lin had been living in a state of constant guilt, her once bright eyes now dull and lifeless. Returning to the country, Julian was determined to help her find her happiness again. He couldn't bear to see his beloved sister in pain any longer.

"Perhaps you're right. Jenny Lin should meet Lydia Moore," Lydia's aunt agreed, sighing softly. She realized now that avoiding any mention of the past had been a mistake. Only by confronting it could Jenny Lin truly heal. And she believed that Lydia's kind and cheerful nature would be just what Jenny Lin needed.

With a reassuring smile, she gently took Jenna Reed's hand, smoothing the hair from her face. "Jenny Lin, how about we go meet Uncle Luo's daughter? She's a very nice person, and I'm sure she'll like you a lot, okay?"

Jenna Reed looked back at Julian Reed, his eyes warm and encouraging. After a moment, she nodded, albeit hesitantly, in response to her brother's comforting gaze.

Julian Reed? What is he doing here? And how does he seem to know my aunt and uncle so well? Lydia Moore wondered as she placed the juicer back in its place, curiosity piqued.

The aches in Aaron King's body had finally subsided, allowing him to move freely again. He stood up, ready to scold Lydia, but noticed that she was staring intently at the newly arrived Julian Reed.

So, not only is she an idiot, she's a lovesick fool too? Aaron King thought with a sneer, convinced that Lydia was captivated by Julian Reed's appearance. But what really stung was the look in her eyes—one of admiration and awe, a look she had never given him. D*mn it! Did she really think Julian Reed was more charming than him? The very idea was unbearable to Aaron King, who had always been proud of his allure. He shoved her out of the way, his tone dripping with sarcasm as he mocked, "Don't bother staring. No matter how much you do, he'll never like a big, dumb fool like you."