The Beta's Rejected Daughter (Fiona) novel Chapter 51

Chapter 51 Dish

This was the first time Quinn had ever tasted any of it.

Finished

The three of them sat down at the table. Quinn and Veronica sat on the same side, while Julian took the seat across from them.

After driving them home earlier, he had stopped by the Sterling estate and picked up some ingredients.

The kitchen soon filled with the rich aroma of a slow–simmered seafood chowder. Sweet scallops, buttery lobster, and a deeply flavorful stock.

It had not been cooking all afternoon, but the ingredients alone were premium enough that the smell was mouthwatering.

Julian set the pot on the table and picked up the ladle. He filled a bowl and slid it across the table toward Veronica.

Veronica blinked. Grandpa probably doesn’t even get treated like this.

Tonight she was clearly benefiting from Quinn’s presence. Julian had personally cooked dinner and even fixed her a bowl.

She forced down her surprise and accepted it as naturally as she could.

“Thanks.”

Julian ladled another bowl. Quinn immediately felt a little uncomfortable.

As expected, Julian set the second bowl in front of her. “Try it.”

Quinn quickly said, “I can get it myself.”

Julian did not argue, but the bowl was already sitting there in front of her.

Veronica laughed. “You’re the guest. Let the host spoil you a little.”

Wow. I lie so easily now it is almost impressive.

Since Veronica was acting like this was completely normal, refusing again would only make Quinn look awkward.

Quinn finally took the bowl. “Thanks.”

“Try it,” Julian said.

Quinn glanced down and lifted the spoon. The soup was rich and velvety, the flavor deep and savory with

a hint of natural sweetness from the seafood.

It was far better than she had expected.

For a moment she almost looked surprised. “This is really good.”

1:09 am PPPP

Chapter 51 Dish

Finished

Julian standing in a kitchen cooking had already surprised her. The fact that it tasted this good was even more shocking.

Quinn quickly said, “It’s really good.”

“If you like it, have another bowl.”

“Okay.”

Veronica watched from the side and suddenly realized that this was a version of Julian she had never seen before.

No matter the situation, Julian always appeared calm and controlled.

He carried the responsibility for the entire Sterling family’s prosperity. He could not be impulsive. He could not relax. He could not live however he pleased.

What everyone saw was his flawless strategy and his endless achievements.

But Veronica knew something else. A man standing at the very top often felt lonely.

He wanted someone who could truly understand him, someone who could let him set down the weight he carried and simply enjoy the good things life had to offer.

That person might be Quinn. And Quinn was beautiful, with a quiet elegance about her.

Just looking at them together, they seemed like a perfect match.

They were easy on the eyes.

Julian had cooked an entire dinner from scratch.

Julian had cooked a full dinner, the table filled with freshly made dishes and a pot of chowder.

Quinn had not watched him do it, she would never have believed it.

This man is almost unbelievably capable.

During dinner, Veronica found a topic to keep the conversation going. The three of them chatted comfortably, and Quinn’s earlier awkwardness slowly faded.

After they finished eating and were about to clear the table, Veronica’s phone rang.

“I need to take this,” she said.

She turned and stepped away while Julian reached for the dishes.

Quinn could not just sit there doing nothing. But as both of them reached toward the same direction, their hands landed on the same plate at the exact same moment.

Their fingers touched.

11:09 am P P P P

Chapter 51 Dish

Finished

As if shocked by electricity, Quinn instantly pulled her hand back and stepped several feet away from him.

Compared to her hand, Julian’s skin had been warm. Almost burning.

The sensation suddenly reminded her of that night on the yacht, when his palm had rested on her waist, scorching hot.

It was a memory she desperately wanted to forget. Yet it kept returning, invading her mind again and again.

Every time it resurfaced, it forced her to relive that mixture of pain and struggle. The moment she withdrew her hand, her face turned pale.

Julian’s eyes darkened slightly. Then he said, “I’ll take care of it. Go sit down.”

Quinn did not dare move again. She looked stiff, almost frozen.

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