Chapter 788
Ambrose's handsome face under the umbrella showed a hint of coldness.
He was naturally unhappy. Ever since Lillian arrived in Miracalia, despite living under the same roof, they hadn't had a single dinner together, just the two of them.
In the morning, Lillian visited him in the hospital and promised to have dinner together at home in the evening, which made Ambrose look forward to it.
But in the end, Jackson shamelessly followed them, determined to ruin his mood.
Their eyes met, and the tension silently filled the humid air.
"A meal is something the Kelly family can afford, and besides, I heard from Lillian that Mr. Frane has been very helpful to her these past few days. If we disregard the past, we should thank you properly, but today might not be convenient."
Jackson certainly understood Ambrose's hint.
Ambrose was telling him that Lillian no longer had feelings for him.
Lillian letting him bring her back was out of gratitude, not rekindled feelings.
Jackson's eyes darkened, and his thin lips pressed together.
His fingers on the back of Lillian's hand trembled slightly, but he said nothing in response to Ambrose.
Showing weakness appropriately wouldn't harm him.
Lillian instinctively glanced at Jackson. The water stains on the ground reflected a bit of cold light, which seemed to fall into his deep eyes, making him appear fragile and broken.
"Ambrose, something happened this afternoon, and Jackson has been running around all day. It's raining and the roads are blocked. Why not let him stay for dinner?"
Lillian thought about how Jackson had been running around all afternoon and how, if it weren't for him, today's issue with Shirley and Gray wouldn't have been resolved so easily.
She felt a bit soft-hearted.
Ambrose met her cautious yet clearly concerned eyes for Jackson, and his grip on the umbrella handle tightened slightly.
He quickly composed himself and smiled indulgently.
"Of course, I didn't mean to refuse. But Lillian, you promised to have dinner with me at home, so I only prepared a few simple dishes, and the house isn't ready for guests. I'm afraid it might be a bit rude to Mr. Frane."
Hearing Ambrose say this, Lillian felt a wave of guilt.
"You cooked yourself? You just got out of the hospital this morning; you shouldn't be working so hard. You should have let the housekeeper prepare it."
Lillian didn't expect that, despite her late return, Ambrose would have personally prepared the meal for her.
At this moment, Ambrose turned his head and suddenly coughed several times.
Fishing for sympathy wasn't something only Jackson could do.
Seeing this, Lillian became worried and walked under Ambrose's umbrella, nervously saying, "Did you come out dressed too lightly?"
Jackson felt his palm empty, and in an instant, Lillian was no longer by his side.
Seeing Lillian's undisguised concern for Ambrose, jealousy churned in his heart, and he coldly stared at Ambrose's pretense.
"I remember Mr. Kelly was hospitalized for a stomach issue? This coughing sounds like a cold. Mr. Kelly, you should take care of your health."
Ambrose could clearly hear Jackson's sarcastic remark about his health.
He stopped coughing and just nodded slightly at Jackson before looking at Lillian. "It's our first dinner together since you came to Miracalia; it shouldn't be casual. Besides, Kaia's mother-in-law fell today and took a leave."
The Kelly family wasn't in Miracalia, and Mystic Meadows had only Ambrose as the owner before, who was often busy with work and not often at home, so they only had one housekeeper.
Kaia was responsible for cleaning and cooking.
Lillian felt even more guilty and said, "Actually, we could order takeout or go to a restaurant."
Ambrose smiled, "I've already prepared everything. I thought we could formally invite Mr. Frane another day, but since Mr. Frane is hungry today, as long as he doesn't mind simple food, please join us."
Ambrose looked at Jackson as he spoke.
His words made it clear: Jackson was a guest, while he and Lillian were a family, a "we."
Jackson's eyes were cold, "Mr. Kelly personally cooked; I'm honored. How could I mind?"
Jackson stepped forward, pulling Lillian from under Ambrose's umbrella to his side, saying softly, "Lillian, Mr. Kelly isn't feeling well; he shouldn't be in the rain. You shouldn't share an umbrella with him."
Jackson put his arm around Lillian's shoulder and walked ahead.
Lillian felt he made sense and didn't look back.
Ambrose stood there, watching their backs in silence.
Jackson, tall and imposing, with a cold and reserved demeanor, bent slightly to accommodate Lillian beside him. His umbrella tilted to cover her completely, leaving his broad shoulder exposed, the suit fabric darkening with moisture.
Ambrose stared for a moment before following them.
Inside Mystic Meadows, Jackson indeed saw a table of warm, home-cooked dishes.
They were simple family dishes, but with red wine prepared. The villa was silent, clearly indicating no one else had been there besides Ambrose.
Jackson was immensely grateful for shamelessly following them. Otherwise, wouldn't Lillian and Ambrose have spent the night alone together without him knowing?
Jackson didn't believe it was a coincidence that the housekeeper took a leave.
He looked at Ambrose with a half-smile, "Mr. Kelly is too modest. These dishes are so exquisite and thoughtful; how could they be simple? But wasn't Mr. Kelly hospitalized for a stomach issue caused by drinking? Why prepare red wine?"
Ambrose stepped forward, looking only at Lillian. "I won't drink; it's for Lillian."
Ambrose pulled out a chair, "Sit down, I'll serve you some soup."
Lillian nodded, about to step forward, but Jackson quickly moved ahead.
"Mr. Kelly, you should sit first. I'll handle everything else," Jackson said, pulling Ambrose to sit first.
Jackson then smoothly pulled out the chair next to Ambrose, sat down, and quickly served a bowl of corn soup, placing it beside him, indicating for Lillian to sit.
In two seconds, he arranged the seating clearly.
During the meal, Jackson didn't hesitate to praise Ambrose's cooking but remained vigilant, not allowing any extra interaction between Ambrose and Lillian.
By the end, both Ambrose and Lillian had lost their appetite.
Ambrose was frustrated, and Lillian was embarrassed.
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