Second Chance His Unending Love (Calista Hartwell) novel Chapter 122

Chapter 122

Nicole’s cheerful voice rang out behind them. “Killian! Austin! Come eat! I made a healthy meal myself!”

She held up a lunchbox, her smile bright.

However, Killian’s face fell. The last time he ate Nicole’s cooking, he ended up in the hospital with food poisoning.

He wasn’t about to risk that again.

Austin, too, was picky and unimpressed with her culinary skills, though he preferred not to say it outright.

For once, father and son were on the same page.

“We already ate,” they chimed almost in unison.

Nicole’s expression dropped. “Seriously? You guys couldn’t wait for me? That’s just rude.”

“Nicole, you really don’t need to go through the trouble. Takeout or the cafeteria food is perfectly fine,” Austin offered carefully.

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Misunderstanding his intention, Nicole threw an arm around his neck. “Aww, you do care about me!”

She turned to Killian, holding up a finger wrapped in a band-aid. “Look, Killian-I even hurt myself cooking. It’s only because I put my heart into making this for you both.”

Austin forced a thin smile.

Without a word, Killian quietly retreated into the hospital

room.

*****

That afternoon, Byron strolled up to Hartwell Manor carrying a large gift box.

Hugh raised an eyebrow in surprise at the sight of him.

“Byron, what brings you here? And with a gift, no less. What’s the occasion today?”

Byron chuckled awkwardly, uncharacteristically hesitant.

Gone was his usual bravado—the way he’d normally plant

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himself in a chair and square off with Hugh.

Today, he seemed almost nervous, patting the gift box with a hint of deference.

“Hugh, come take a look. It’s that vintage bottle you’ve / been eyeing for years.”

“Oh?” Hugh’s eyes lit up, a rare smile touching his stern face. “The 1992 reserve?”

“The very one.”

Hugh quickly ushered Byron into the living room and prepared coffee using the set Evander had gifted him.

“Now this is a fine set. Makes the coffee taste different,” Byron remarked, sipping carefully.

“Doesn’t it?” Hugh replied, visibly pleased. Praise from Byron was uncommon. “It’s my favorite these days.”

“Now, let’s see that bottle.”

Side by side, the two men in their late sixties admired the bottle of ultra-rare reserve wine-valued at a staggering 58

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50 million dollars at auction.

Its astronomical price came not only from its exquisite craft but also from its extreme scarcity: only ten bottles existed worldwide, making it a true collector’s jewel.

Hugh still remembered losing the bidding war to Byron years ago, watching helplessly as the prize left the auction house in Byron’s hands.

He’d asked Byron for a taste more than once, always meeting refusal.

So why was Byron suddenly at his door, offering it freely

now?

Setting the bottle down slowly, Hugh studied his guest with narrowed eyes.

“Byron… is there something you want to tell me?”

Byron laughed, a dry, uneasy sound.

It seemed the Hartwells still didn’t know about Evander

and Calista.

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“What? Can’t a man share a good bottle with a friend? You’ve always admired this one-consider it yours.”

“I don’t buy it.”

“Oh, come on, you old—” Byron caught himself, remembering the new ties between their families, and softened his tone. “I don’t drink much these days, and you still enjoy a glass now and then. Thought you should have it.”

“Really?” Hugh’s instincts told him something was off, though he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

He wracked his brain but couldn’t think of anything the Hayes family might need from the Hartwells.

Still skeptical, he cradled the bottle carefully. “You’re really giving this to me? No regrets?”

“I’ve already brought it over. Would I take it back?”

“This isn’t a fake, is it? I still feel like you’re hiding something,” Hugh asked.

Crafty old fox.

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Byron cursed inwardly, but he kept a friendly and sincere expression on his face.

“The wine is genuine, and so is the gift,” he assured. After a pause, he added, “How about we open it together when there’s a big celebration in the family?”

He didn’t dare tell Hugh the truth just yet. After all, Evander was still in the middle of pursuing Calista- whether he’d succeed, or when, remained uncertain.

As a father, all Byron could do was quietly pave the way from behind the scenes and build a good rapport with Hugh in advance.

He could only hope that when the news finally broke, the Hartwells would welcome it warmly.

“Deal! When your Evander gets married, don’t forget to invite me to the wedding. We’ll bring this bottle and drink it then!” Hugh agreed, still unsuspecting.

“Absolutely, of course,” Byron replied smoothly. As his daughter’s future husband’s father, he would have to invite Hugh anyway.

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Byron didn’t stay much longer before preparing to leave.

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