Chapter 92: Dallmayr. (1/3) (Updated)

The time was eight at night, and Max was seated on the couch wearing a tailored black suit with polished black shoes, the sharp lines of the fabric fitting him cleanly, posture relaxed but upright, one arm resting along the back of the couch as he casually scrolled through reels to pass the time, his expression patient, while his bedroom had completely been taken over by three girls.

Jennifer’s calm voice occasionally mixed with Machina’s efficient tone and Josefina’s brighter energy, the sounds of zippers, heels on the floor, and low laughter leaking through the door, the space clearly transformed into a preparation zone that he had no access to at the moment.

Jennifer, Machina, and Josefina — who had returned with her red dress — were still inside, adjusting, fixing, debating small details that only they seemed to understand, and Max had originally planned to leave by seven thirty, but forcing them would only make them roll their eyes at him, which before dinner was unnecessary.

He leaned back slightly, exhaling through his nose, not annoyed, just accepting the reality of the situation.

Sigh… I think they look pretty as they are.

The thought came naturally, because in his eyes they were already more than enough, and whatever extra time they were spending inside that room was probably about perfection rather than necessity, and Max understood something simple — sometimes control meant knowing when not to push.

*Ring-Ring*

Max’s phone rang sharply in the quiet living room, and he glanced at the screen before answering immediately when he saw Finn’s name.

” Finn? ”

” Max, Dad and Mom are ready, so are you guys? ”

Finn’s voice carried energy, like the evening had officially started on their side.

” Yes, yes, we’re also ready. They can leave. ”

Max replied smoothly, even though he knew that “ready” was a flexible term at the moment, and as he spoke he was already standing up, walking quickly toward the bedroom door, knocking twice with firm urgency.

Inside, the noise shifted instantly, the casual chatter turning into focused movement, fabric rustling faster, heels adjusting, the sound of accessories clinking as if the room itself snapped into formation.

” Alright, see you then. ”

After Finn hung up, Max didn’t wait longer. He pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Machina was standing in her underwear, mid-change, her tall frame turned slightly as Jennifer carefully worked on fastening a complicated dress along her back, fingers moving quickly but precisely, while Josefina stood already ready in her red dress, adjusting a bracelet and glancing toward Max with a look that mixed impatience and amusement.

The room felt alive — perfume in the air, fabric spread across the bed, heels near the dresser — controlled chaos before departure, and Max paused only for a second, taking in the scene without any fluster.

” Faster, they are already leaving their house. ”

Max said it firmly but without pressure, then closed the door again, giving them space to finish properly, because rushing at the last second would only create mistakes, and after another ten minutes the bedroom door finally opened.

Machina stepped out first in a royal purple party gown that contrasted sharply with her tall frame, the fabric flowing cleanly to the floor, structured yet elegant, Jennifer followed in a black dress that looked expensive without screaming for attention, sharp lines, minimal shine, something appropriate for a formal dinner, and Josefina completed the trio in her red outfit, confident and bold without overdoing it.

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” You all look super pretty. ”

Max smiled genuinely as he looked at them, not exaggerating, just stating what was obvious, because together they didn’t look like a casual group heading for dinner, they looked intentionally pretty, and after a second he noticed each of them reaching for matching jackets to cover up from the cold outside, the practical detail grounding the glamour.

Max booked a cab through his phone, and when it arrived downstairs he opened the rear door for them first, letting the three sit behind while he took the front passenger seat, the driver glancing once in the mirror at the well-dressed group before pulling away.

The ride from Schwabing toward Dallmayr moved through the late-evening city glow, the streets calmer now but still alive, passing through Leopoldstraße where lights from cafes and bars spilled onto the sidewalks, then merging toward the city center, the architecture gradually shifting from residential blocks to older facades with carved stone and warm street lamps.

” Today we can decide how to deal with Bronte. ”

Max said it suddenly, turning slightly in his seat to look back at Jennifer, noticing the faint frown resting on her forehead, the tension that hadn’t fully left her.

” I am scared, Max. He is not that simple. ”

Jennifer admitted quietly, her voice lower than before, the fear not dramatic but real, because she understood the kind of man Bronte was, unpredictable and careful, the type who avoided mistakes.

” Don’t worry. You trust me, right? ”

Max asked, not forcefully, just steady, extending his hand backward for her to take, and after a small pause she nodded and placed her fingers into his, her hands colder than usual, the chill from nerves more than weather, and he tightened his grip just enough to give warmth without squeezing.

Machina leaned forward from beside her and placed her hand over theirs, nodding once with quiet assurance, her confidence calm and absolute, though Jennifer only saw it as protective affection from someone who cared deeply, unaware that behind that composed exterior was strength far beyond normal limits, she was a terminator-class robot after all.

” Well, I am something of a fighter myself, so yeah, I’ll help too. ”

Josefina said with a small half-smile, scratching her cheek lightly before joining their hands as well, her confidence not exaggerated but earned, her past in professional fighting giving weight to the words without needing explanation.

” Thank you. ”

Jennifer smiled softly, the tension easing from her face, because in that moment it wasn’t about strength or strategy, it was about not standing alone anymore, and for the first time since everything began, she felt surrounded not by pressure, but by people who had chosen to stand beside her.

Traffic flowed smoothly, occasional luxury cars sliding past, cyclists weaving between lanes, pedestrians bundled in coats, and as they approached the inner district the environment changed subtly — narrower streets, higher-end storefronts, polished glass reflecting golden lighting, boutiques closed but still glowing for display, and the driver slowed naturally near Maximilianstraße before turning toward the area near Dallmayr.

The city felt refined in this part of Munich, quieter, deliberate, the kind of place where dinners weren’t rushed, and as the cab rolled closer, the elegant exterior lighting and understated presence of Dallmayr became visible ahead, signaling that the casual part of the evening was officially over.

The cab slowed and stopped a short distance before the entrance, traffic restrictions preventing it from pulling directly up to the restaurant, and Max paid quickly before stepping out first, the cool night air brushing against his face as he turned to help the girls out one by one.

They had to walk for about a minute to reach Dallmayr, the pavements beneath them clean and polished, reflecting the soft golden glow of the street lamps, the air crisp but not harsh, the kind of Munich evening that felt calm rather than cold.

” She’s a city official. Still, we will try our luck. But don’t reveal too much about your sister. Just tell your problem first. ”

Max said it in a low voice as they walked, his tone structured rather than cautious, laying out the order clearly, because information once spoken could not be taken back, and tonight required control more than emotion.

Jennifer gently tucked her arm around his, the gesture natural but deliberate, her fingers resting lightly against his sleeve, drawing a little closer as they moved under the warm street lights, and for a brief second Max was slightly surprised by the public display, but he understood quickly — this wasn’t dependence, it was reassurance.

Machina and Josefina both noticed the gesture, instinctively wanting to mirror it in their own way, but when Jennifer glanced back once, not aggressively, just enough to signal territory, neither of them moved closer, the unspoken line understood immediately.

Max observed the subtle exchange without commenting, because even in this dynamic there was a hierarchy, and Jennifer, despite being the gentlest among them, naturally held the highest position in the house when it came to emotional authority, something no one openly declared but everyone recognized.

” Mhm. ”

Jennifer nodded softly, her smile returning, her grip around his arm slightly firmer now, and as they continued walking toward the entrance her posture straightened, confidence rising with each step beside him, because walking into that dinner no longer felt like facing something alone.

The streets around the city center carried a different atmosphere at night — luxury storefronts closed but still lit from inside, glass windows displaying fashion and watches under controlled lighting, subtle security presence near certain buildings, quiet conversations from well-dressed couples walking past, the sound of heels clicking lightly against stone tiles.

Machina’s purple gown moved smoothly as she walked, Jennifer’s black dress blending effortlessly into the refined setting, while Josefina’s red outfit stood out just enough to draw subtle glances from passersby, not crude attention, but acknowledgment, because together they looked like they belonged in that environment rather than visiting it.

Max looked slightly ahead, his posture composed, adjusting his pace so the group stayed aligned, and as they approached the understated yet iconic facade of Dallmayr, the lighting became warmer, the entrance elegant without being loud, signaling that beyond those doors the tone would shift from public to private.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep