Chapter 395 Pastries, No One Sweeter
Esme looked down and curled her lips, showing disdain for Ashley.
"What kind of secretary? More like a lover."
"Acting all high and mighty."
Freya modestly claimed her cooking skills were poor, but in reality, her dishes were visually appealing, aromatic, and delicious, with meticulous presentation.
At least Ashley was satisfied. Who knows how much goodwill Sven had accumulated with this cooking?
Truly a capable housewife.
While eating fried shrimp, Damian tried to pick one up but missed.
Ashley quickly helped him place it on his plate.
The movement was so smooth, it seemed like she had done it many times before.
Everyone pretended not to notice.
But Ashley's ears turned red with embarrassment.
Damn habitual actions!
All those times she had tried to please Damian in the past!
Damian used to dislike fried foods, finding them unappealing and poorly shaped, but today he found the fried shrimp quite tasty.
After the main course, Freya proudly introduced, "I wouldn't dare to present today's dessert, Mr. Hearst. You are a connoisseur of fine foods, and my humble offerings might not be worthy. I hope these desserts will satisfy you."
Esme hated how attentive Freya was to Damian.
They were elders, and it was one thing for Damian to be polite, but to be served by them?
Just because he was rich!
Having endured the meal, she couldn't hold back any longer, "Mom, our food is nothing special. Don't waste Mr. Hearst's time. He eats the best of everything. What you think is gourmet might be garbage to him."
Sven sternly said, "Esme!"
Even when angry, he remembered the etiquette of not scolding children in front of guests, so he only harshly called out her name.
But that one reprimand was enough to make Esme, who had never heard her father lose his temper, feel a lump in her throat.
It was all Damian and Ashley's fault for disrupting their peaceful life!
She had just settled in Rochester City and had found several excuses to meet Hendrix, but today, her father called her back for a proposal meeting.
New grudges and old grievances, Esme had had enough.
Damian's face was cold and unreadable, but his presence alone had a calming effect, suppressing the tension around him.
Ashley, sitting close by, could clearly feel Damian's hostility.
If he hated Sven so much, why give him the courtesy of coming over for dinner?
What was Damian thinking?
Soon, Freya personally brought out the desserts.
The presentation was exquisite and meticulous.
But...
The desserts looked familiar.
Weren't these the same ones Hendrix had given her?
Ashley quickly glanced at Esme and immediately drew a conclusion.
So, the desserts Hendrix had given her last time were actually made by Esme's family chef for him, but Hendrix had re-gifted them?
She glanced at Damian to see if he had noticed.
Without revealing her thoughts, Ashley exclaimed, "These desserts are so exquisite, definitely the work of a master chef. The base patterns are something only high-end restaurant chefs would carve."
Freya marveled, "Ms. Astor, you truly have an eye for fine things, having seen the world with Mr. Hearst. Thank you for your compliment. These desserts have a delicate texture. Please try them."
Throughout the meal, it was clear to everyone how unusual Damian's behavior was towards Ashley.
Though he didn't say much or show her any special favor, his perfectly measured attitude was noticeable upon closer inspection.
Pleasing Ashley was equivalent to pleasing Damian.
Freya pushed the dessert box towards Ashley, "Ms. Astor, what flavor do you like?"
Ashley picked up a silver fork, speared one, and placed it on a small gold-rimmed enamel plate. It was clear that the dessert's design and the tableware were matched in advance, complementing each other beautifully. "What flavor is this?"
Esme didn't wait for Damian and took one for herself, glancing at it, "Matcha flavor."
"Looks like I got lucky and found my favorite on the first try."
Sven chuckled, "Ms. Astor has a good eye. With your insight, helping Mr. Hearst in the future will surely make him even more formidable."
His words were cleverly phrased.
Damian disliked flattery, but Sven's compliment hit the mark, making him feel comfortable. With a slight movement of his long fingers, he picked up a small dessert and placed it on his plate. The soft white dessert had a thin layer of ice skin, revealing the matcha filling inside.
No need for words; it said everything.
Ashley had just mentioned liking matcha flavor, and Damian immediately took one. Wasn't that obvious enough?
As they tasted the desserts, the atmosphere gradually warmed.
Freya smiled, "Mr. Hearst, with your investment in Limehof, I wonder if we'll have the honor of sharing desserts with you again in the future?"
Time passed, and the sun began to move westward. Despite the summer sun's intensity, the tall broad-leaved trees outside filtered the light, and the cooling system absorbed most of the heat, making the bright light feel like a comfortable 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
This feeling was like Damian's mood—relaxed, comfortable, and pleasant.
He took a small bite of the dessert, sipped some coffee to cleanse his palate, and spoke with a lingering taste, "Would you like to have more in the future?"
His gentle tone was directed at Ashley.
Ashley wished to distance herself from him, each eating their own without speaking, but his words were always suggestive.
"Mr. Bergstrom is famous for pampering his wife. If he doesn't let her cook, how could I dare to ask Mrs. Bergstrom to toil in the kitchen? Today's meal will be a cherished memory for me. I wouldn't dare to impose. Mrs. Bergstrom's hands are meant for playing the piano and painting, not for cooking."
Her words were carefully chosen, greatly praising Sven and Freya, and effectively silencing Damian. If even Mr. Bergstrom doesn't let his wife cook, how could Damian shamelessly ask for more?
Sven laughed heartily, "Ms. Astor, you're reminding me that I need to be more considerate!"
More considerate compared to whom?
Of course, the only other man present.
This remark indirectly praised Damian.
Damian remained expressionless, showing no emotion, and continued to eat another small piece of dessert, savoring it slowly.
His elegant and noble demeanor while eating was so pleasing to the eye that one might think he was tasting something special.
In fact, Damian was no longer eating the dessert itself.
Even Ashley was surprised. Damian usually hated sweets, yet today he was being so accommodating?
Freya, with a clear understanding, smiled slightly, "Since Mr. Hearst and Ms. Astor like them, I'll have the kitchen make more for you to take home. They're made with natural ingredients and will stay fresh in the fridge for a couple of days."
Ashley wanted to decline, but Damian interjected, "Thank you."
"It's our honor. If Mr. Hearst says it's a bother, then it's our fault."
Esme, tired of their mutual flattery, impatiently said, "Mr. Hearst's arm has recovered well, but what about Mr. Long's leg? I heard that after Mr. Long's leg surgery, there was a complication, requiring a second surgery, making recovery difficult. Did you know that, Mr. Hearst?"
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