Dumped Then Claimed By A Billionaire (Nerissa and Owen) novel Chapter 88

Chapter 88

Chapter 88

After replying to Luke’s message, Lennox quickly put his phone down.

He didn’t touch it again.

“That book mentioned a rule,’ Lennox thought.

‘Never keep checking your phone when you’re eating with a girl, he reminded himself.

Lennox was always the model student.

Whatever he did, he had to be the best. Settling for anything less just wasn’t his style.

91%

65 youchers

Meanwhile, Luke was left speechless by Lennox’s reply. ‘Meeting, always meetings! What a workaholic!” he muttered. ‘He didn’t even spend a dime or show any effort for Ms. Jamison’s birthday, and now he’s still stuck in a meeting?’ Luke thought, shaking his head.

Little did Luke know, Lennox, who claimed he was busy with a meeting, was actually sharing a meal with Nerissa at a

restaurant.

He even had the nerve to say he wasn’t picky at all.

But honestly, nobody in the Stratford family was fussier about food than Lennox.

He’d turn his nose up at almost everything.

The dishes in the restaurant always came in small, delicate portions.

So Nerissa ended up ordering a few more dishes. When she saw paghetti on the menu, she was genuinely surprised. ‘I wonder what it tastes like,’ she thought, glancing up at Lennox.

“Are you okay with spaghetti?” Nerissa asked.

Not everyone was into spaghetti, and that portion was pretty big so Nerissa figured she’d better check Lennox’s preferences first.

“I can eat that,” Lennox said with a slight nod.

“Okay,” Nerissa replied, passing the menu to the waiter. “One spaghetti please.”

“Got it, miss,” the waiter replied.

After they finished eating, the waiter came over with an exquisite birthday cake in the shape of a white swan.

“Happy birthday, Ms. Jamison,” the waiter said with a smile.

Nerissa looked confused. “Wait, do you offer birthday cakes here

It was a white swan cake, delicate, elegant, and clearly the centerpiece of the table.

Luxury like that never came cheap.

Even a tiny one could cost more than $1500.

The waiter smiled. “Actually, Ms. Jamison, there’s been a little understanding. This gentleman arranged for the cake ahead of time and had us hold it here for you.”

1/6

|||

O

09 32 Thu, Jan 22

Chapter SS

Nerissa glanced over at Lennox. “Did you get this?”

“Yep.” Lennox replied, lighting the candles. “Go ahead, Nerissa, take a wish.”

“Okay,” Nerissa replied.

Nerissa pressed her hands together in a fist, closed her eyes, and made her birthday wish with genuine sincerity.

91%1

65 voucher

The flickering candlelight mingled with the neon lights outside, painting her elegant, almost ethereal face in a soft glow. A gentle breeze drifted in through the window, lifting her hair. Fora moment, it felt like time itself had paused to savor the

peace.

Lennox was momentarily lost in thought, captivated by the scene.

Lennox had no idea what wish Nerissa made. After a few second she unclasped her hands and blew out all the candles in one breath.

Lennox grinned, “Hey Nerissa, how about I take a birthday photo for you?”

“Sure,” Nerissa replied.

Lennox pulled out his phone and opened the camera app.

Nerissa threw up a peace sign.

She looked so good. Lennox didn’t even have to find the right angle. Eevery shot was Insta-worthy.

He snapped a bunch of photos in quick succession.

“I’ll send them to you on WhatsApp,” Lennox said.

“Sure,” Nerissa replied with a slight nod.

After they finished eating, Nerissa went up to pay the bill.

The cashier smiled and said, “Miss, the gentleman you were with already paid for everything.”

“He already paid?” Nerissa blinked in surprise.

All through dinner, Lennox had only left the table once, to use the bathroom.

Nerissa had never expected he’d pay the bill.

“Yes,” the cashier nodded.

“How much was it in total?” Nerissa asked.

400 dollars, the cashier replied.

“Okay, thanks,” Nerissa said.

Back at the table, Nerissa gave Lennox a playful glare. “Hey, I thight I was treating you tonight! How’d you pay before I even got the chance?”

“I happened to have a coupon for this place, so I just took care of Lennox said with a casual shrug

Tll send you the money. Don’t forget to check your account,” Neissa said.

“No need. We’ve got all the time in the world. Just buy me dinner next time,” Lennox replied, his voice low and magnetic.

2/6

09:32 Thu, Jan 22 G.

Chapter 88

Nerissa couldn’t help but feel a bit sheepish.

‘Honestly, if I keep track, how many dinners do I owe Lennox by now?’ Nerissa thought to herself.

“Well, what should we eat next time?” Nerissa asked, keeping it casual.

“Your call,” Lennox replied.

“Alright,” Nerissa nodded with a smile.

After dinner, Lennox drove Nerissa home.

It was getting late, so Nerissa didn’t invite him in for coffee.

As soon as Nerissa opened the door, Snowball leaped right into her arms.

“Meow, meow, meow!” Snowball meowed.

“Hey, my little cutie, you’re here again!” Nerissa cooed, hugging snowball tight and showering him with kisses.

Every time this happened, Nerissa couldn’t help but think, ‘Honestly, humans just can’t live without cats!’

Meanwhile, back at Stratfordland, Lennox was on the hunt for Snowball the moment he got home.

He searched every corner, but there was still no sign of the cat.

“That’s odd,’ Lennox thought.

‘Where the hell did that cat run off to this time?

‘I haven’t seen him in days!’

Lennox was clearly bummed he couldn’t cuddle Snowball.

ས%91%▪

55 vouchers

Hannah squinted from the couch, noticing her son seemed a little off. “Lennox, why have you been coming home so much lately?” she asked.

Before this, Lennox had always thought Stratfordland was way too noisy,so he’d barely come home, maybe once every ten days, sometimes even longer.

The thing that really caught Hannah off guard was how, the moment Lennox walked in, he was already asking about Snowball.

It was like he couldn’t go a day without that cat.

This is so odd, Hannah mused.

Lennox kept a straight face, and said, “Nothing. Just feels more ill being at home these days.”

“Really?” Hannah raised her eyebrows. She obviously didn’t believe a word of it.

“Yeah,” Lennox nodded slightly.

Suddenly, Hannah seemed to remember something. “Oh, right! uke messaged me earlier, saying today’s Nerissa’s birthday. Did you get her a present?”

“No,” Lennox replied, his tone flat.

“No?” Hannah shot up from the couch, fuming. “You little brat! Do you even realize who Nerissa is? She saved your life, and

3/6

09:32 Thu, Jan 22 =

Chapter 88

A.91%

65 vouchers

she’s basically my daughter-in-law already! And you didn’t even et her a birthday present? Are you trying to blow your shot with her or what?”

Lennox just sighed, totally speechless. “Mom, I never planned to chase after her in the first place. And I’m not the marrying type, remember?”

“Not the marrying type? Yeah, right!” Hannah snapped.

She was so furious. “I’m having a big headache! Henry, call an ambulance!”

Lennox was totally used to his mom’s usual theatrics by now. “Mom, I’m heading upstairs,” he said, not even bothering to

argue.

“What a great son you are! I’m about to pass out from how mad you make me, and you’re just gonna walk away? How did I end up with a son like you?” Hannah wailed.

*****

The next day.

Saturday.

It was the day Lennox and Phyllis were supposed to meet up.

After stepping out of the conference room, Lennox cleared his afternoon schedule and got ready to head over to the Yep Cafe for his meetup.

Luke followed close behind. “Uncle Lennox, where are you headed this afternoon?”

“Got a date,” Lennox said casually.

“Who with?” Luke asked, his curiosity piqued.

“Just some online friend,” Lennox replied.

‘An online friend?’ Luke thought, his eyes widened.

Luke stared at Lennox in disbelief.

‘Hell must’ve frozen over. Uncle Lennox is actually following the trend and going to meet someone he met online?’ Luke thought, completely stunned.

Luke couldn’t help blurting out, “Wait, are you actually dating online? Oh man, you’re really going for an IRL. meetup!”

The more Luke thought about it, the more he could barely contin his excitement.

Lennox rolled his eyes at him. “Seriously, can’t you think about anything besides such nonsense?”

“What is it then? Isn’t this just you meeting your online crush in eal life?” Luke pressed, still looking totally battled.

“You know ‘Assassination?” Lennox asked.

Luke blinked, and then said, “Isn’t that the Go puzzle you invent? Even last year’s champion couldn’t solve it. Everyone in the Go scene talks about it.”

Among pro Go players, there was even a saying. [If you haven’ted the Assassination, you haven’t really played Go.]

Lennox explained, “A few days ago, I ran into a gamer named Phyllis at the Adventure Manor in Splendor Peak. He cracked the Assassination easily, so that’s who I’m meeting up with.”

4/6

09:32 Thu, Jan 22 G.

Chapter 88

91%

E55 vouchers

“Phyllis?” Luke suddenly remembered. “Wait, Uncle Lennox, is that the player who got into the Adventure Manor before you did?”

“Yeah,” Lennox nodded slightly.

Luke’s eyes widened in disbelief. “No way! Phyllis is insanely good! Not only did he get into Adventure Manor before you, but now he’s even cracked your Assassination puzzle?”

Lennox was basically a genius among geniuses.

Who would’ve thought?

Turned out, there really was someone out there who was even better than Lennox.

Now, not only was Lennox dying to know who Phyllis really was, but Luke was just as curious.

“Uncle Lennox, can I come with you?” Luke asked, unable to hide his excitement.

He was itching to see for himself what kind of legend Phyllis really was.

“Nope,” Lennox didn’t even hesitate. “I never said I was bringing anyone. It’d be weird to just drag you along without warning.”

“Fair enough,” Luke said, scratching his head. “So after you guys get to know each other, can you introduce us?”

“Sure,” Lennox nodded slightly.

Luke started daydreaming, grinning. “Man, if Phyllis turns out to be a total knockout, that’d be even better.”

Lennox gave him a light smack on the head, his voice low. “Cut it out with those crazy thoughts. From the way Phyllis plays, his style and strategy, it doesn’t strike me as feminine at all.”

Phyllis’s style was absolutely ruthless, unstoppable, no matter who or what stood in their way.

Even Lennox had to admit that Phyllis was on a whole other level.

Luke rubbed his chin, grinning. “Hey, you never know, what if Phyllis is actually a total babe? Uncle Lennox, you’re clueless about romance and not even interested in marriage anyway. If Phyllis really is a knockout, you gotta introduce us!”

“Sure, if Phyllis is actually a girl, I’ll set you up,” Lennox said, grabbing his watch from the desk and slipping it on. “I’m heading out.”

“Alright,” Luke nodded.

Thirty minutes later, Lennox arrived at the Yep Cafe’s private room and dropped Phyllis a message online.

[I’m waiting for you in private room No. 1.]

Nerissa was already in the cab, just about to text Mr. S, when his message popped up. She shot back a quick reply Alright, I’ll be there in half an hour.]

Lennox replied simply. [Okay] Then he turned off his phone.

On the coffee table, aside from the coffee and fancy pastries, there was a Go board laid out.

Lennox’s slender fingers picked up a piece, playing a solo match switching hands as his own opponent. Wisps of coffee

steam drifted around, blurring his chiseled features in a dreamy haze. From a distance, he looked like a fallen angel, almost too perfect for this world. Anyone watching would be left breathss.

516

91%

58 vouchers

09:32 Thu, Jan 22 =

Chapter 88

When a waitress came in to refill his coffee, she caught sight of lennox and nearly blushed.

Half an hour later.

There was a knock on the door of the private room.

Knock, knock!

That could only mean one thing. Phyllis was here.

Click!

Just as the knock sounded, Lennox set down the final piece on the board.

The match had been intense.

But in the end, it was a draw.

That was exactly why Lennox was dying to meet Phyllis.

He wanted a real opponent, someone who could actually challenge him

instead of just going head-to-head with himself day in and day out.

Lennox stood up and walked to the door, his slender fingers curling around the handle as he gave it a gentle twist.

He was so excited.

Click!

The door swung open.

6/6

ச

AD

Comment

Send gift

No Ads

09:32 Thu, Jan 22 = G