Chapter 34: Chapter 34: Attending the Banquet

After getting off work that evening, Summer Lancaster sat on the sofa watching a K-drama and eating snacks. This was the scene that greeted Kenneth Yates when he came home. He changed his shoes at the entryway, then sat on the sofa to watch with her. When a touching scene came on, Summer burst into tears.

“What are you crying about?” Kenneth asked, puzzled. She had just started crying out of nowhere while watching.

“It’s so touching! The male lead gave up his first love for the female lead, and they lived happily ever after,” Summer said, wiping her tears with a tissue.

“What’s so touching about that? You get emotional so easily. I could also…” ’Give up my first love?’ He didn’t dare say it. He couldn’t do it.

“Also what?”

“Nothing.” Kenneth got up from the sofa, suddenly feeling suffocated. He went out to the balcony and lit a cigarette. A cigarette was an anesthetic, a way to forget his troubles. He only ever lit one at times like these, to numb himself.

“Kenneth, what do you want for dinner?” Summer called from the living room. When Kenneth came back in from the balcony, he saw she had already tied on an apron and was ready to cook. A warm feeling spread through his heart; he really liked this kind of life.

“I’m not eating at home tonight. I have a business dinner.”

“Oh, okay then.” Summer untied her apron and sat back down on the sofa.

“Aren’t you going to cook?”

“It’s just me, so I’ll just have some instant noodles.” Summer didn’t really mind. She rarely cooked when she was alone—for one, it was a hassle, and for another, she could never finish all the food.

“No, instant noodles are unhealthy. Go cook something. From now on, even if I’m not eating at home, you need to cook for yourself. If you don’t feel like it, then order takeout.” Seeing he was getting a little angry, Summer quickly nodded in agreement.

The West Residence

At seven o’clock, Kenneth arrived right on time. For a businessman, punctuality was paramount, and this was something Kenneth had mastered.

“Kenneth, you’re here,” Reina West said, coming out to greet him. She had dressed up especially for the occasion in a pure white evening gown, her elegant makeup making her look noble and sophisticated.

“Kenneth, you’re so busy, I feel bad for making you come all the way out here,” Martin West said. He had been sitting on the living room sofa and stood up as Kenneth came in.

“Please, don’t say that, Mr. West.”

Reina’s mother, Frances Taylor, told the kitchen staff to get dinner ready, as they would be eating soon. Reina, Kenneth, and Martin West sat on the sofa and chatted.

“So, Kenneth, has work been busy lately?”

“Of course. That’s just the life of a businessman.”

“Kenneth, why don’t I take you for a walk in the garden?” Reina suddenly suggested.

“Yes, you young people have more to talk about. Go on, take a walk,” Martin West chimed in. Kenneth had no choice but to go to the garden with Reina. Once they were alone, Reina adopted the shy demeanor of a young maiden, walking beside him with her head lowered.

“Kenneth, the rumors about you and Summer Lancaster at the office… they aren’t true, are they?” Reina asked, looking up at him.

Kenneth, who had been walking with a vacant expression, suddenly seemed interested. He stopped and asked, “What are they saying?”

“That Summer Lancaster got in way over her head and latched onto you.”

“Heh.” ’So that’s how other people see it,’ he thought.

“So? Is it true or not?” Reina pressed, refusing to let it go.

“Rumors are just rumors.” ’It wasn’t Summer who latched onto me. It’s me who can’t leave her.’

“I knew it. There’s no way you’d fall for someone like Summer Lancaster.”

“Director West, I never would have thought you were the type to gossip behind people’s backs. I thought you were a prim and proper lady from a good family. I wonder, in what way are you better than Summer Lancaster?”

“No, that’s not it, Kenneth, I…”

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