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Novel Catalog
Chapter_291
Inside the steakhouse, the atmosphere was warm and intimate, with the low hum of conversation blending with the soft clink of silverware. The lighting was dim, casting shadows on the walls, giving the place an almost cinematic feel. It seemed the perfect backdrop for a conversation that was about to unfold, yet, for some reason, Andrew couldn’t shake the feeling that he had stumbled into something far more complex than he could handle.
Yvette and Charles sat across from each other, their meals in front of them, but there was no sign of hurry between them. Yvette, as usual, was calm and composed, her posture relaxed, her arms folded lightly over her chest. She picked up her drink with the slightest of motions, her eyes glancing around the restaurant, but never lingering too long in one spot. She had that effect on people—always in control, always a step ahead.
Charles, on the other hand, was more openly curious. He had been caught off guard by Yvette’s comment earlier about knowing Andrew, but now, as he leaned back in his chair, he seemed genuinely intrigued. The earlier surprise had faded, replaced by an almost amused interest. He broke the silence first, setting down his drink.
“So… you know him?” Charles asked, keeping his voice low, but with enough curiosity to make it clear he wanted to know more.
Yvette didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she took another sip from her glass, her eyes scanning the room absentmindedly. When she finally spoke, it was with that cool, almost detached tone she often used when she didn’t feel the need to explain herself.
“Yeah,” she replied nonchalantly. “I know him. He’s… someone who can’t mind his own business.”
Her words were delivered with such casualness that Charles couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. The way she spoke of Andrew was almost amusing, as if the man were a minor inconvenience, not worth much attention. But Charles had learned over time that Yvette didn’t just dismiss people like that unless she truly didn’t see them as a threat. That piqued his interest even more.
Charles couldn’t help but smirk. “Does he think he’s some sort of hero in a story? Following us like that?”
Yvette’s lips curled slightly into a playful, almost mischievous smile. “Something like that. He seems to think he’s in some kind of adventure, following me around like this. But let him. It’s entertaining.”
Charles chuckled softly, the sound low and amused. He leaned back further in his seat, folding his arms. “I’ve seen people try to be heroes before. Doesn’t always end well.”
Yvette shrugged, her expression unreadable. “If he wants to play the part, I won’t stop him. But he won’t do anything.” She paused for a second, her gaze drifting toward the window, as if her words were a quiet warning to whoever might be lurking out there. “He’s just wasting his time.”
Charles was silent for a moment, his gaze shifting to the entrance of the restaurant, where Andrew was still standing, nervously glancing around, obviously unsure of what to do next. Charles’ mind worked quickly, processing the situation. He had seen this kind of behavior before—the overzealous attempts to control situations that didn’t need controlling. But he wasn’t concerned. Not with Yvette in charge.
“Well,” Charles finally spoke, a grin playing at the edge of his lips. “If he’s not going to do anything, I suppose we can just enjoy our dinner. No need to worry about him.”
Yvette nodded slightly, her lips parting just enough for her to take another slow sip of her drink. “Exactly,” she said softly, her tone almost lazy. “Let him follow. It’ll be fun to see how far he’ll go.”
Meanwhile, across the street, Andrew was still watching them from behind a discreet corner of the restaurant. He couldn’t tear his eyes away from Yvette and the man sitting with her. His heart pounded in his chest as he saw them chatting easily, their body language casual, almost intimate. The way the man helped Yvette with her bag, the way they seemed to share private jokes—it all triggered a mix of jealousy and confusion within Andrew. His stomach churned with the thought of Jeremiah finding out.
“I can’t just let this go,” Andrew muttered to himself, still standing in the shadows, his mind racing with plans. He had to find out who this man was, what he meant to Yvette. He was sure this wasn’t just some casual meeting. No one acted that relaxed with someone who wasn’t important to them.
Andrew’s thoughts were interrupted by a voice behind him.
“How much for this?” he asked distractedly, glancing at a nearby vendor. His eyes, however, never left Yvette and her companion.
The vendor hesitated, unsure why someone would ask about something so trivial while clearly distracted by something else, but Andrew was already moving forward.
“I’ll take two portions,” he said quickly, his mind still focused on the two figures inside the restaurant. “Hurry up, make them.” His tone left no room for argument.
The vendor, eager for a sale, didn’t hesitate, and Andrew, now looking for any excuse to stay close, continued to hover near the window, his eyes trained on Yvette and the man. But his plan to blend in wasn’t as seamless as he hoped. Yvette had already seen him.
Her eyes narrowed slightly, the corners of her mouth twitching in a barely perceptible smile. There was no fear in her gaze, only amusement. She caught Andrew’s eye across the street, and for a moment, she simply observed him. Then, without saying a word, she turned back to her meal, her expression relaxed. It was as if she were completely unfazed by his presence.
Charles, too, had noticed Andrew. “Looks like our friend is getting bold,” he remarked, leaning over to Yvette.
Yvette didn’t seem particularly concerned. She smirked slightly and glanced back at Andrew. “No need to worry about him. He’s harmless.” Then, with a casual flick of her wrist, she motioned for Charles to finish his meal. “Let’s go. We’ve got better things to do than entertain him.”
Charles was still processing her words when she stood up from the table, stretching slightly. “Alright, let’s go,” she said again, as if she were heading out for a casual stroll, unbothered by the man following them.
Charles followed her lead, still puzzled but willing to trust her instincts. After all, she had always known how to handle herself in situations like these. Whatever was going on with Andrew, it wasn’t their problem—at least, not right now.
