BookToReadChapter 108 Isadora's cheeks flushed, a soft pink coloring her ears as Victor's words lingered in the air.
Without hesitation, Victor reached out and slipped his hand into hers, the gesture intimate and easy, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
His palm was large and warm, enveloping her slender fingers completely.
Isadora wasn't used to this. The crisp early autumn breeze did nothing to cool the restless flutter in her chest. Her palm was already damp, and she instinctively tried to pull her hand away, not wanting him to notice.
But Victor didn't let go. At first, he'd just held her hand, but now his fingers interlaced with hers, holding her tighter.
She'd never held hands with anyone like this before. It felt so close, so unmistakably romantic-her heart thudded in her chest with nervous excitement.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtVictor glanced down at her, lips curving into a teasing smile, his gaze playful. "Is it too warm for you?" Isadora shot him a glare with her bright, expressive eyes, certain he was doing this on purpose.
She stubbornly replied, "I'm just hungry, that's all." Victor chuckled softly, still holding her hand as he led her inside.
Under the moonlight, their shadows-two people and a dog-stretched long and harmonious across the lawn.
A housekeeper passing by caught sight of them, eyes going wide in surprise before quickly looking away. "I've never seen the young master holding hands with a woman before. Isn't that the slady from last time?" "I told you she was special. Even Pudding, who never lets anyone near him, follows her around. Anyone would think she's his real owner." "Mark my words, the Fitzgerald family is about to get a new mistress." Inside the dining room, the air was filled with the comforting aroma of a home-cooked meal. The long oak table was set with an array of dishes: sweet and tangy glazed ribs, steamed white fish, sautéed crab with herbs, and beef with tender spring vegetables. Four courses and a hearty soup-the spread was rich and inviting.
Isadora's eyes widened in delight, her mouth already watering. "Did you make all this?" Victor's lips quirked in a playful grin. "I wasn't sure what you liked, so I just threw a few things together. But don't worry-there's plenty of ribs tonight. No need to fight Pudding for them." "I did not fight Pudding!" she protested, recalling how she'd simply taken a few extra pieces last time.
Victor laughed, his eyes crinkling with amusement. "Alright, alright. My mistake." He pulled out a chair for her, letting her sit before expertly selecting the juiciest ribs and piling them onto a plate-until it was heaping full. Then, with an easy bend, he set the plate down on the floor.
Pudding, the fluffy golden retriever, bounded over, tail wagging, and settled beside them to enjoy his feast. Isadora ate quietly, her gaze drifting to Victor as he reached for a set of crab crackers. His long, deft fingers worked skillfully, extracting tender morsels of crab meat with practiced elegance.
She liked crab, but always found it too much trouble-especially in front of someone else-so she'd decided to skip it.
But watching Victor, she couldn't help but admire the graceful precision of his movements.
Before she knew it, he'd finished and carefully placed the delicate, snowy crab meat into a small porcelain bowl, setting it in front of her.
"For me?" she asked, surprised.
Victor only arched an eyebrow, setting aside the utensils before picking up a damp napkin to wipe his hands. Then, with gentle fingers, he brushed away a tiny bit of food from the corner of her lips.
His eyes, dark and mesmerizing, softened with affection as he gazed at her.
"Isadora," he murmured, "you'll have to get used to this. You're my girlfriend now, remember?"
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmShe blinked, flustered, and quietly tasted the crab. It was It was sweet and delicious! Suddenly, her phone rang.
She glanced down: it was Genevieve Wainwright, Magnus's younger sister.
Genevieve had been her classmate, and once upon a time, the two of them had been close. She'd even el helped Isadora pursue Magnus, back in those days. But Genevieve had gone abroad to study, and over time, they'd drifted apart. The phone rang insistently.
Isadora cast a quick, furtive glance at Victor across the table. His eyes were dark and unreadable in the warm light, betraying nothing. She pressed the decline button.
The phone rang again, almost immediately.
"Not going to answer?" Victor drawled, lounging back on the sofa, his fingers tapping idly on his knee. Isadora pressed her lips together, then reluctantly picked up.
Genevieve's anxious voice cthrough the line. "Isadora, my brother's sick. Can you csee him?"
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