The siblings chatted for a short while in the dining room before Whitney joined them downstairs.
The red silk scarf around her neck added a hint of seductiveness to the white office wear on her. It was a vital finishing touch to her outfit and made it extra eye-catching.
Jasmine saw her even from a distance away.
“It's my first time seeing Whitney wear a scarf. This outfit looks so demure. Whitney, you're tall and have a great figure. You look just like an air stewardess.”
Lucas also whipped his head around and nodded in admiration. “Indeed. Jasmine, you can learn how to dress better from Whitney. She even makes office wear look so good. You surely have lots of room for improvement.”
Jasmine pouted. “You're annoying, Lucas. Why do you always have something to say about me?”
The atmosphere between the siblings was amicable.
Charles, however, had his eyes lowered as he continued eating. He did not seem interested in Whitney's outfit at all. “Aren't you coming over? The whole family is waiting for you.”
“All right...”
Clenching her fists, Whitney quickened her pace to the dining table and sat down in her seat. Then, she began digging in without saying a word.
Seemingly not having much appetite, she said she was full after eating a little and returned to her room.
Jasmine somehow felt that something was not quite right.
“Charles, Whitney doesn't seem to be in a good mood tonight. You came back with her. Did you two have a fight?”
Charles flashed a faint smile. “No. Why would we fight all of a sudden? Continue with your meal.”
“Then why is she unhappy? How can she be full when she ate so little?” probed Jasmine in concern.
“How would I know?”
His tone was especially cold.
Displeasure surged within Jasmine, and she stood up for Whitney. “What's wrong with you, Charles? Whitney is your wife. You should care about her feelings and try to console her to cheer her up.”
Charles was frustrated by those rants that he eventually decided not to say anything more. “Fine. I'll go and take a look at her after I finish eating.”
“That's more like it.”
Jasmine somehow felt that something was amiss with the couple. It was almost as if there was a secret that the family did not know of.
She worriedly reminded, “Charles, I've known Whitney for some time. Not only does she have a great personality, but she also loves you and takes care of you so well. There aren't many women who can become an amazing wife like her. You'll definitely regret it if you don't cherish her!”
A crease instantly appeared between Charles' brows. The displeased man deliberately took a piece of fatty meat from the stew and put it on Jasmine's plate.
“Just eat. I can't believe all these dishes aren't enough to stop you from talking.”
Jasmine snorted. She took a closer look at the piece of meat on her plate, and a disgruntled look crossed her face. “That's so oily! I don't want to eat this!”
Charles ordered in a deep voice, “Don't be picky.”
Jasmine was rendered speechless.
What a grudgeful man he is!
After dinner, Charles returned to the bedroom as promised.
The door of the room swung open.
Whitney's back was slightly bent and facing the door as she placed a blanket over the couch.
Hearing some noises, she turned her head around. “I'll sleep on the couch tonight. I've already changed the bedsheet and blanket. You can have a good night's sleep.”
With his lips pursed, Charles closed the door behind him.
“Why did you eat so little tonight and look so sad? Jasmine is getting suspicious.”
Whitney went pale.
She had been somewhat surprised when she heard the first half of Charles' sentence. She had thought he had taken note of her tiny meal portion, but it turned out that he had said all that because of Jasmine.
With her head held low, she slowly turned around and apologized without looking at the man.
“I'm sorry. I had no appetite tonight. I'll be more careful in the future and try to hide my emotions better.”
At the sight of her meek demeanor, Charles felt an inexplicable bolt of rage kindled in him.
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