Brandon was left speechless as he hadn’t expected Garrett to be so ruthlessly competitive.
“Garrett, dude, that’s just low! Have you got no honor?” Brandon nearly lost his cool and was about to let loose a string of expletives!
Grandpa Robert chuckled smugly, causing Brandon to puff up in anger. His eyes were bulging with fury.
Lena sat nearby, overhearing the exchange between the two older men. She suddenly felt full from frustration alone, having lost her appetite entirely.
The dining table was large. Josefina sat next to Oliver, while Brandon and Grandpa Robert sat opposite them, so Josefina and Oliver were unable to catch their words.
“Oliver, aren’t you hungry?” Josefina inquired.
Oliver’s need for sustenance had diminished since he took over the Baldwin family’s enterprise. He often worked through the day with just one meal.
Josefina always enjoyed her meals, and it was only when she dined with him that Oliver found himself eating a bit more.
Oliver remembered this, and his lips curved into a knowing smile. “Not really.”
Josefina served Oliver a piece of pork, insisting, “Eat up.” Obediently, Oliver took a bite.
She poured him soup, and he sipped it.
She offered him vegetables, and he ate them.
When Josefina handed him a crab, Oliver methodically cracked it open, extracted the tender meat, and placed it on Josefina’s plate. After peeling four crabs, he laid the succulent meat and rich roe neatly before Josefina.
“Dig in,” he said. His voice was gentle and alluring. Josefina, caught in his intense gaze, couldn’t help but laugh lightly. “Why aren’t you having any?”
“I thought you’d enjoy it,” Oliver replied, unwilling to have Josefina deal with the messy task of cracking crabs.
Calix, eager to contribute, placed more crab meat on Josefina’s plate. “Josie, I peeled some for you, too. Try mine.”
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