Chapter 83 I Hope You Are Loved
Daniel shot back, "Nah, it's about Raymond and Sarah."
Margaret rolled her eyes, dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, what drama are they stirring up now?"
Before they knew it, they were at the restaurant's entrance.
Daniel swung open the glass door with his chiseled fingers, and a rush of warm, fragrant air smacked them in the face, a stark contrast to the chilly outside.
He extended his arm, making a welcoming gesture. "Let's chat inside."
Clutching her black handbag and rocking her snow boots, she stepped into the restaurant.
The owner, a chubby guy, waved at Daniel as soon as he saw him. Clearly, he was a regular. "Mr. Taylor, got a private room ready for you."
Daniel gave a slight smile. "Thanks."
The owner’s eyes landed on Margaret, and he grinned at Daniel. "Mr. Taylor, is this your girlfriend?"
Margaret frowned, ready to clarify she was married.
Daniel noticed her tight grip on the handbag strap. His lips parted, but before he could say anything, a soft voice interrupted. "Margaret, here for dinner too? What a coincidence."
Both Margaret and Daniel turned around.
Sarah, decked out in pink with long, curly hair and flawless makeup, looked nothing like someone who'd been detained for days.
Clearly, she’d spruced up.
Margaret’s eyes briefly scanned Sarah before landing on the guy next to her.
Raymond, in a black coat and gold-rimmed glasses, had a pair of leather gloves on the hotpot table and a lit cigarette in hand. He hadn’t started eating.
Margaret remembered his sensitive stomach and how he avoided spicy food. She used to skip her favorite spicy dishes for him, but now he was munching on Mexican food with Sarah.
He clearly had a thing for Sarah.
Margaret chuckled bitterly, feeling the sting.
Raymond, smoking, watched Margaret in her bright red down jacket through the swirling smoke. From the moment she and Daniel walked in, his eyes hadn’t left her.
The cigarette tasted bland, despite being his favorite brand.
No one responded to Sarah.
The owner, trying to ease the tension, smiled. "So, you all know each other?"
Sarah chimed in, "Of course, we're super close, right, Margaret? She's my best friend."
The owner suggested, "Why not share a table then? You can catch up while eating."
He smiled kindly, his chubby cheeks showing a hint of curiosity.
Sarah beamed, her eyes twinkling. "Sure, could you bring another table over? I'll join them."
The owner nodded. "Alright."
Margaret stared at Raymond, speaking slowly and firmly, "No need, I’ve lost my appetite."
She looked at Daniel, forcing a smile. "Mr. Taylor, can we find another place to eat?"
Daniel got the hint and nodded. "Sure thing."
He waved to the owner, flashing a charming smile. "We'll come back another time. Sorry for the hassle."
The owner didn’t seem bothered. "No worries. Girlfriend comes first."
Margaret turned to leave the restaurant.
Raymond’s mocking voice cut through. "Feeling guilty?"
Margaret turned back, smiling at him. "Nope, just find you two gross."
Sarah bit her lip, tears streaming down her face. "Margaret, I didn't hold it against you for getting me into the police station, and you still talk like this? Aren't you being a bit too much?"
Daniel squinted at Sarah, sneering, "Ms. Martinez, you promised me you'd be a good person after getting out. Want a return trip?"
Sarah was momentarily speechless. "I..."
She thought of the cold stares and hard benches at the police station, her fingers tightening.
Raymond leaned back in his chair, snuffed out his cigarette, and suddenly smiled at Daniel. "Mr. Taylor, you seem to be defending her quite a bit."
Daniel answered, righteous and firm, "Mr. Howard, if you were being bullied, I'd defend you too. It's a cop's duty to protect citizens."
"Mr. Taylor, let's go. No need to waste words with him." Margaret turned and left the restaurant first.
Daniel gave Raymond and Sarah a cold glance, then looked warmly at the restaurant owner before following her out.
Sarah pouted, about to speak.
Raymond cut her off, "After you finish eating, take a cab home."
Sarah was taken aback. "Raymond, didn't you come to pick me up and take me home?"
Her eyes were filled with shock. How could he change just because Margaret showed up?
Raymond put his gloves back on and told Alvin, "Go pay for Ms. Martinez."
"Yes." Alvin went to the bar and paid.
As Raymond stood up, Sarah panicked, putting down her fork. "I'm full, I'll go with you."
"Sarah, you're usually smart. I don't want you doing things that make me unhappy." Raymond frowned, smiling slightly, his tone calm but filled with a strong warning.
Sarah's smile collapsed instantly. He was determined to leave.
She tried to explain, "Raymond, are you still mad about the photo I sent to Margaret? I didn't mean to."
Raymond's face showed impatience. "Stop talking nonsense. I don't want to hear that."
"Then be careful on your way back." Sarah smiled magnanimously and resumed eating.
Raymond ignored her, striding out of the restaurant.
He got into the car first, waiting for Alvin.
The window rolled down, Raymond took out a cigarette, flicked one out, and put it in his mouth. The lighter clicked, and he took a deep drag. Looking up, he saw Margaret and Daniel entering the restaurant across the street.
They chose a window seat.
That spot was perfectly visible to Raymond.
He made a call, exhaling a smoke ring. "You can act now."
Raymond thought, 'Margaret, soon you'll be crying, begging me not to divorce you, begging me to make love to you.'
Alvin reached the car door, stretched out his long arm, opened the door, and sat in the passenger seat.
Raymond leaned back, taking one last drag before flicking the cigarette butt out the window, speaking coldly, "Did you find out?"
Alvin respectfully reported, "Yes, Mr. Howard. Mr. Taylor's background is simple. Daniel Taylor, captain of the Silverbrook Police Department. He graduated from the police academy and worked his way up from the bottom, very capable. He's been involved in drug busts, performed outstandingly, and received many honors. The restaurant owner said Mr. Taylor is upright and has no girlfriend."
"This matches my background check. Many in his team have tried to set him up with someone, but he always politely declines. Strangely, none of his colleagues have ever met his parents or friends. He might be an orphan."
Raymond's fingers, resting on his trousers, clenched slightly. He didn't expect Daniel was an orphan and admired him.
But he shouldn't have feelings for Margaret.
Raymond said, "Find a way to make Daniel disappear from Silverbrook."
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
