chapter226

Come on, tell me if you like any of these."

Connor pulled Lydia over to the small dining table and started setting out all the dishes he'd kept warm for her.

Lydia's eyes widened at the display. Her stomach practically started growling. There was pan-seared French foie gras, black truffle soup, sizzling black pepper steak, plus chocolate mousse, tiramisu, a fruit platter, fruit tea, and even milk.

It was basically a feast for royalty.

"Eat while it's hot."

Connor grabbed a ladle and poured her a steaming bowl of pumkin soup.

Lydia looked at him and said, "You should have some too."

She picked up her utensils, sliced her steak in half, and moved half to another plate for Connor.

Connor couldn't help but laugh. "Alright."

Honestly, he hadn't eaten dinner either. He'd been waiting for her all this time, and Lydia could tell, which was why she'd made him eat with her. Still, even as a grown man, Connor didn't eat as much as Lydia.

Lydia was really hungry. She sat across from Connor and ate without a hint of pretense, not a trace of the fake daintiness you'd expect from a pampered heiress.

Connor watched her, and his usually cold eyes softened completely. The way she enjoyed her dinner so happily made him feel more satisfied than closing any billion- dollar deal.

Every now and then, Lydia glanced up at him. She couldn't help but think he was ridiculously good-looking, like some piece of art the gods had taken their sweet time sculpting. One look from him could probably make a thousand girls swoon.

"Are you full?"

Connor's voice was gentle as he watched her set down her fork.

Lydia grinned. "I'm stuffed. You barely ate anything, though."

Most of the food had ended up in her stomach.

"I'm not hungry."

"Thank you for dinner."

"It's just what a good fianc is supposed to do."

Lydia felt her cheeks heat under his gaze. It was so intense, she got a little flustered.

She cleared her throat. "Well, I should get going. You should get some rest too."

While she was eating, Aiden had already pulled up in front of Riverside Villas, waiting patiently in the car.

"Okay."

Connor walked Lydia out. Just as she was about to leave, his big hand caught her arm, and before she knew it, she was pulled right into his arms.

Aiden, watching from the car, looked

like his

His mouth hung open Set

eyes were about to pop out.

Wow Since when did the boss get

so smooth

Connor hugged Lydia gently, like he was holding the most precious thing in the world.

"Don't push yourself so hard anymore. It hurts me to see you like this."

Before he met Lydia, Connor had been known as a workaholic, always the busiest person in any room. But after getting to know her, he realized she had it even tougher than he did. She was only eighteen, but she carried so much on her shoulders. It made his heart ache.

Lydia nodded softly. "Okay."

She was used to this life, honestly.

Connor leaned down and pressed a light kiss to her forehead. His cool, gentle lips

seemed to go straight to her heart, making it skip a beat.

"See you," he said, letting her go, though he clearly didn't want to.

Lydia nodded. "Drive safe."

Connor waited until he couldn't see her anymore before getting back in the car and heading off.

On the way back, he asked Aiden, Did you find Miracle Hands? What did they say?"

Aiden looked troubled. Boss, I'm still checking if they're legit or not."

Connor raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"They wouldn't take any deposit and immediately started asking about you, when to meet, where to meet. It just

eels off. They don't seem trustworthy."