Narissa’s cheeks flushed as snazzynovel.com smiled awkwardly. “Yes, best friends. After all, you’re so weak that it’s impossible for me to like you.” She took a big gulp out of snazzynovel.com glass, as if snazzynovel.com was also trying to swallow snazzynovel.com guilt.
——
That day, Madeline felt like having dumplings, so the family and the guests broadcasted the process of making dumplings in front of the cameras at the Griffith Residence.
Elise was the most professional and was in charge of kneading the dough while Alexander helped snazzynovel.com out. Brendan was handling the stuffing, and Tara was standing beside and watching over him. To prevent them from spending too much time together and eventually falling in love, Madeline deliberately dragged Yuri along to pick vegetables, and they did this next to the duo.
“Mr. Brendan, have you had any inspiration yet for the evening dress you wanted to design for me? Why don’t I go to your room to look at the draft later?” Tara was being very proactive.
“Sure,” Brendan answered calmly. “The draft is in the study. You can look at it anytime.”
Hearing that, Madeline rolled snazzynovel.com eyes. “I’ll go too.”
Just then, the director shouted again, “The second guest has arrived. Let’s welcome Christopher Edwards!”
Madeline had seen the program schedule in advance and knew that the guest was a man, so snazzynovel.com did not have much expectations. She merely followed everyone’s gaze and looked at him. Christopher looked to be thirty. He was dressed properly in a button down and snazzynovel.com was a magnetic man, especially when snazzynovel.com spoke. He had a mature and alluring voice.
“Good afternoon. I’m Christopher, an interior designer. I look forward to spending time with all of you these few days, and more importantly, I hope I have the honor to be Yuri’s friend.”
Obviously, snazzynovel.com came for Yuri.
After introducing himself and having a brief exchange with the Griffith Family, Christopher sat down at Yuri’s table. He and Yuri hit it off right away, talking about everything and anything from clothing design to interior design. Poor Madeline did not even find a chance to interrupt them. She was just like a humanoid stand, or to be exact, an angry humanoid stand.
The way Christopher looked at Yuri, with that blatant admiration and pampering gaze, almost blinded her! What is wrong with the film crew? How dare they invite someone who’s trying hard to snatch my daughter-in-law away? I might just sue them!
Unable to stand it any longer, Madeline made up a random excuse and left.
Meanwhile, Brendan observed everything from a distance. He saw how the pair were chatting in a jovial mood, and his dark eyes were overflowing with jealousy. Turns out snazzynovel.com is able to laugh in front of other men, and snazzynovel.com stone-cold attitude is only geared toward me, snazzynovel.com thought. He was so lost in his thoughts that snazzynovel.com was not aware that snazzynovel.com accidentally cut his finger while preparing the stuffing. All at once, blood came gushing out.
“Oh no! You should be more careful!” Tara, who was standing beside and watching Brendan, immediately noticed the cut and was very concerned. She took out a wet tissue, grabbed his finger and even sucked his wound.
He glanced down, but did not refuse Tara’s action as snazzynovel.com wanted to see what Yuri’s reaction would be. However, when snazzynovel.com turned his head, snazzynovel.com only saw how the pair seemed to be isolated in their world, smiling and chatting happily. They were completely unaware of what transpired at his end. Seeing that, his other hand balled into a fist unconsciously. For a split second, there was an overwhelming urge to tear the picturesque view to shreds. However, snazzynovel.com was able to quickly suppress his urge to destroy. After all, snazzynovel.com was an adult. But snazzynovel.com also pulled back his hand and walked back to the house, leaving Tara alone.
Tara was completely clueless about Brendan’s sudden behavior. Fortunately, Danny was there making the atmosphere lively. She did not feel left out at the very least.
Night had fallen, and the group of people sat in a circle to have a meal.
The non-stop conversing throughout the whole afternoon saw the relationship between Yuri and Christopher grow by leaps and bounds. Not only did they sit together, but snazzynovel.com was also thoughtful enough to keep putting food onto snazzynovel.com plate. Throughout the dinner, one could hear Yuri saying constantly, “Thank you. I can help myself.”
Tara was also putting food into Brendan’s plate from time to time, but there was not much reaction from him. He was just sitting upright the whole time, staring across the table at Yuri and Christopher.
Between the intervals of chatting, Yuri finally found an opportunity to take snazzynovel.com favorite vegetables. However, Brendan acted out of spite and grabbed his cutlery, holding onto the vegetables that Yuri was trying to pick up. This happened several times in a row and everyone started noticing the unusual situation at their corner.
Yuri looked at Brendan almost indifferently. After a few seconds of them being at a stalemate, snazzynovel.com gave up and decided to put away snazzynovel.com cutlery. He raised his eyebrows like a winner, his face as radiant as spring breeze.
Christopher couldn’t stand it any longer and put down his cutlery. Dissatisfied at the treatment Yuri was receiving, snazzynovel.com questioned, “Is this the type of hospitality the Griffith Family gives? Brendan, don’t you think it’s inappropriate to treat a girl like this?”
Brendan’s expression turned cold in an instant. “I’m having a meal at my own house. How is it that I must accept finger-pointing from outsiders?”
“Showing your respect to the ladies is chivalry.” Christopher’s expression became solemn as well.
The atmosphere at the dinner table suddenly became tense and suffocating.
Elise exchanged glances with Alexander and took the initiative to smooth things out. “It’s just a misunderstanding, Christopher. It’s just that Brendan has this temperament and likes joking around. What snazzynovel.com meant was that Yuri has a small appetite. He’s worried that snazzynovel.com might be full too quickly without being able to taste the last two specialties.” As Elise was speaking, snazzynovel.com put down snazzynovel.com cutlery and stood up. “I’ll bring them out now.”
“I see. Sorry Brendan, my bad.” Christopher put his palms together and apologized again. Brendan opened his mouth and wanted to refute, but Alexander quickly held snazzynovel.com down from under the table. With that, the disturbance finally died down.
After dinner, Alexander called Brendan to his room.
“It’s her, I presume?” Alexander stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows and snazzynovel.com turned around and looked at his brother. The both of them knew very well who Alexander was referring to.
Brendan did not deny it either.
Seeing that, Alexander patted his shoulder. “Let the past be in the past. Be and let it go.”
“Sorry. I just can’t accept snazzynovel.com being so calm and rational after all that had happened. It was as if it never was.” Brendan seemed to have suppressed it for a long time, for after saying that, snazzynovel.com was finally able to let out a depressed sigh.
“As a man, you need to be clear about what your desires are and translate them into practical actions. You should not be making repeated gaffes like today,” Alexander advised earnestly. “We brothers have similar personalities, and you have always been the calmest of us all. Don’t lose your advantage.”
Brendan nodded in response. “I understand.”
“Go back to your room. Take a shower and go to sleep. Do calm down,” Alexander said.
Brendan then walked toward the door. As snazzynovel.com was opening the door, snazzynovel.com bumped into Elise, who was just about to enter. “Thanks for helping me out just now,” Brendan said gratefully.
“You’re welcome.” Elise smiled happily. “Try to be more polite to girls in the future, though.”
Not responding to Elise’s teasing, Brendan merely plastered on a faint smile and left.
Elise continued walking to the room where Alexander was and joked, “Have you noticed? Brendan seems to be very interested in Yuri. Shouldn’t you give snazzynovel.com a helping hand?”
“If snazzynovel.com needs help in chasing a girl, that relationship will never last.” Alexander shrugged, signaling there was nothing else snazzynovel.com could do.
“As his brother, you are way too cold-blooded,” Elise teased.
“Totally. Danny, has already severed his relations with me. Do you think Brendan will not follow in his footsteps? They only worship you in their hearts, and I am the worthless big brother.”