Chapter 1376

Living up to his promise, Raymond whacked Allan sharply on the shin with his cane, shooting him a no-nonsense glare.

Allan barely suppressed a grimace, knowing better than to dodge his grandfather’s wrath.

Adah couldn’t help but be torn between laughter and disbelief. “How can someone your age still lie, Raymond?”

“Oh my, look at the time—I’ve worked up quite an appetite!” Acting as though he hadn’t heard her at all, Raymond pivoted and headed straight for the buffet. “I’m going to get some food. You two enjoy your time together!”

Raymond made a quick exit toward the buffet, leaving Adah staring after him in exasperation.

Once Raymond was out of earshot, she turned on Allan, leveling him with a frosty glare. “Absolutely shameless.”

Allan just grinned, unfazed by her words. “Hungry? Let’s get you some food.”

“You know what, Allan? Even if you weren’t a shallow jerk, and even if you hadn’t broken off our engagement the way you did, I still wouldn’t choose to marry you. You don’t even come close to being my type,” Adah said sharply without holding back.

“What kind of man do you go for, then?” Allan asked, his tone sincere. No matter the answer, he was determined to become that man, if that was what it took.

“I go for sweet younger guys, the ones who hang on my every word and treat me like royalty. Serious, stone-faced men like you don’t appeal to me,” Adah replied casually. At that moment, she noticed Lance walking past, not far from where they stood. Raising her hand, she pointed straight at him. “See that one? He’s exactly my type.”

Allan’s gaze followed hers just in time to see Lance catch their eyes and head their way.

“Allan!” Lance called out with a bright wave, hurrying over to join them.

Turning to Adah, Lance offered her a gentle, bashful grin. “Adah, that color looks amazing on you. I never thought pink would be your color, but you’re stunning tonight.”

: ν﹒

The instant Adah pointed at Lance and announced he was her type, a sharp wave of jealousy slammed into Allan. Hearing Lance say Adah’s name out loud pushed that feeling straight past restraint.

Allan had spent days trying to find Ava, only learning the truth about her from Cole not long ago. Yet, Lance’s reaction made one thing painfully clear. Lance had known who she was for far longer than Allan ever had.

Allan’s mind churned. So what exactly were Lance and Adah to each other?

While Allan’s thoughts spiraled, Adah, who had been glaring at him moments earlier, turned toward Lance. A playful smile curved her lips, and her voice softened into something sweet and deliberate. “Really? You actually like how I look right now?”

That gentle tone hit Lance like a direct blow. Heat rushed to his face, leaving him visibly flustered. “Y-Yeah,” he said quickly, nodding too fast to hide it. “I really do.”

With an ease that felt intentional, Adah slipped her arm through Lance’s. The move was bold and unmistakably flirtatious. Her eyes sparkled as she looked up at him. “Then take me somewhere nice to eat. If you make me happy, maybe I’ll change into something else later for you. I’m very good at dressing up.”

The contact alone short-circuited Lance’s brain on the spot. Standing there at his full height, he froze in place, his face turning an alarming shade of red. When he finally spoke, the words tumbled out in pieces. “F-Food? Yes. Of course. Absolutely.”

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