Chapter 50 Quite Boring
Hugh glanced at the dish and said, "Emma, peel a few more. Jane loves these. And Bard, we've watched Jane grow up. Take good care of her. If anything happens, don't bother coming back."
Emma shot back, "I'm peeling them now. If you think I'm slow, why don't you help?"
Brad chimed in, "No need, Mom and Dad. You guys eat, I'll peel them."
Everyone was happily debating who should peel the shrimp for me. As the family favorite, I had mixed feelings.
Zoe was always wary of me, afraid I'd steal her Daniel and her spot in the Pitt family. Given her personality, she might hold a grudge because of Brad's protection. Just thinking about her petty schemes made my scalp tingle.
I wasn't scared of her, just annoyed, and didn't want to deal with her.
Daniel knew he couldn't fight the whole family alone, so he showed weakness, pulling Zoe's hand protectively. "Zoe, let me introduce you. This is my brother Brad. Brad, Zoe and I have been together for a while, but you were busy, so we didn't want to bother you. Since we're going to be family, it doesn't matter. Sorry for the oversight." Daniel's move was unexpected.
Zoe realized the situation wasn't in her favor, so she didn't push. She greeted Brad with a wronged expression, her eyes red, looking like she had suffered a great injustice.
Brad glanced at Zoe, threw down his napkin, and said, "I heard there's a socialite named Zoe in Northport. That you?"
"Brad, you know about that? It's not the same Zoe. Her family had issues, so she and her mom moved here a long time ago," Daniel quickly explained.
Brad leaned back, looking at Daniel and Zoe huddled together, and said with an unreadable expression, "Am I getting this wrong? Didn't the Northport family plan to marry into the Wilson family? Why did they move here? Did the Wilsons back out because the Saldanas fell out of favor?"
Zoe's face changed instantly. Her body stiffened, and her expression constantly shifted.
Helen and Ronan pretended not to hear, quietly discussing whether to add red pepper rings to the garlic broccoli. Hugh and Emma sat in silence with dark expressions, while Brad and Daniel faced off wordlessly.
This meal was exhausting!
I was lost in thought when Zoe suddenly looked at me. Her gaze was sharp as a knife, filled with intense hatred.
She probably thought I had told Brad about her affair.
But I hadn't.
Brad knew more than I did. The investigation report must have contained things I wasn't supposed to know, and Brad didn't show it to me.
However, Zoe had a reason to suspect me. I was the only one who knew about her affairs at the Northern Institute of the Arts.
The atmosphere at the table was super tense and uncomfortable. If I had known, I wouldn't have come. It was pointless.
I greeted Hugh and Emma and left.
Zoe could think whatever she wanted. I wasn't taking the blame for something I didn't do, and I wasn't afraid of her misunderstanding.
The restaurant had a big backyard with a stone path dividing it. On the left, some vegetables were growing, their dark green leaves thriving in the cool weather. On the right, there was a bamboo tea table, some rattan chairs, and two stone stools with carved patterns. Further ahead was a well with a wooden bucket beside it. The whole place had a vintage vibe.
I sat in a rattan chair, scrolling through my phone, away from the dining table drama.
I didn't know how long had passed when everything went dark, and someone sat in the chair opposite me. "You sure know how to find a spot."
I looked up to see Daniel.
"Why are you sitting here for so long? Have you eaten?" he asked.
I put my phone face down on the table and smiled, "I ate a lot at lunch. Why aren't you with Zoe?"
"She went back," Daniel replied.
I didn't ask why, and he didn't bring it up either. We just sat there quietly, as if the other person didn't exist.
I used to love being alone with Daniel, but now I felt completely indifferent.
The feelings I had back then had long faded.
After a while, Daniel pulled out a pack of cigarettes, took one out, and asked if I minded.
I thought, 'Why would I mind? This is a public place, not my home. What right do I have to stop him? He didn't used to smoke, but after less than three years of college, he picked up the habit?'
Daniel lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and blew out smoke rings.
I suddenly remembered reading somewhere, "Smoke rings are a product of loneliness."
'Was Daniel very lonely? Could he have some inkling about that matter?' I thought.
"Daniel, are you okay with Zoe?" I asked tentatively.
Knowing about that matter but not telling him had always made me feel guilty. I wanted to take this chance to get it off my chest.
Daniel turned to look at me with a hint of warmth in his eyes.
He only had this kind of smile when he thought of Zoe.
Talking about Zoe even made his voice lighter, "We're really good."
I said, "What Brad said about Northport and the Wilson family, Zoe and you..."
"Jane, stop. Since when did you start gossiping about everyone? What's wrong with Northport and the Wilson family? Everyone's got a past. Our families set us up for eighteen years, but should I be stuck with that forever?"
I suddenly felt it was so pointless.
I foolishly wanted to save Daniel, but he willingly chose to be a fool.
My goodwill was wasted.
Fine, I was being nosy. I wouldn't say anything more.
I've done my part for Daniel. Whatever happened next, it was his own business.
I ignored what he said, didn't even look at him, and got up to leave the backyard.
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