Chapter 809

Mr. Valentine let out a soft, choked sound.

This one word, "Dad," he had waited for far too long.

Evelyn's voice carried an unmistakable reliance and affection.

Mr. Valentine's eyes grew slightly warm.

He gave her shoulder a firm pat, all his unspoken words conveyed in that single gesture.

...

That night, father and daughter talked late into the evening.

Mr. Valentine asked detailed questions, and Evelyn answered earnestly.

From childhood anecdotes to growing pains, from food preferences to favorite colors, he wanted to know every detail.

He wanted to make up for all the lost time.

As the night deepened, Evelyn's eyelids began to droop.

Only then did Mr. Valentine let her return to her room to rest.

Evelyn quietly pushed open the bedroom door.

She had just lain down when a pair of strong arms pulled her into an embrace.

Alexander's familiar scent enveloped her.

She nestled against his chest, thinking of her father in the next room.

A profound sense of security washed over her.

It felt wonderful to be surrounded by love.

She closed her eyes and soon drifted into a deep sleep.

...

When she woke again, sunlight filled the room.

Evelyn glanced at the time.

It was already noon.

She rubbed her eyes and got up to wash.

As she left the bedroom, the door to the adjacent study was slightly ajar.

Alexander was inside, conducting an international video conference with focused intensity.

Evelyn didn't disturb him.

She tiptoed downstairs.

The dining room was lively.

Elian Cross sat at the table, his complexion still pale.

Joanna Sterling and Natalie Castillo flanked him, observing him as if he were some rare specimen.

Ever since Joanna's secret identity was exposed, he had completely let loose.

Gone was the meek, subservient assistant act.

His naturally flamboyant personality had reemerged.

He and Natalie had become the two biggest idlers in the Valentine household.

In Evelyn's words, they were a pair of loiterers.

Every day, aside from eating and sleeping, they found new ways to stir up trouble.

Evelyn had brought it up a few times.

Both had ready excuses.

Joanna said, "You help me deal with Alistair Montgomery, or handle the Clownfish, and I'll go back to work immediately! My company is waiting for me!"

Natalie was even more brazen.

"I'm just a foodie. What's wrong with eating a bit of your food? Why are you so nosy?"

Evelyn was left speechless.

She simply let them be.

At the moment, the two were marveling at Elian.

Joanna asked, "You're really not hungry? Watching us eat, you don't feel anything?"

Elian offered a gentle smile.

"I get hungry. I just can't eat."

Natalie stuffed a pastry into her mouth, speaking indistinctly.

"How can anyone in the world not like eating? Food is so healing!"

A shadow flickered in Elian's eyes.

"I'd like to know why anorexia exists too."

The sound of Evelyn's footsteps on the stairs caught their attention.

Elian immediately stood up.

The movement was too abrupt.

His vision darkened, and he swayed.

The quiet attendant beside him swiftly steadied him.

"Young master, your anemia is acting up again. You must move slowly."

Elian steadied himself with a bitter smile.

"I know."

He looked at Evelyn, his eyes filled with earnest hope.

"Miss Ross, I apologize for disturbing you again. But I... I truly need to eat a bowl of the noodles you make."

Evelyn nodded.

"Alright."

She rolled up her sleeves and entered the kitchen.

She had just scooped a bowl of flour when Natalie slipped in.

She watched Evelyn with eager eyes.

"I want some too."

Evelyn sighed and added another bowl of flour.

Joanna's voice came from the doorway.

"Count me in."

Evelyn added a third bowl.

She looked up.

Alexander had finished his meeting at some point and was leaning against the kitchen doorframe.

He didn't speak, just watched her quietly.

His eyes clearly said, "Me too."

Evelyn silently dug out another bowl of flour.

Finally, Mr. Valentine came down.

Mina Sherwood and Marcus Valentine, drawn by the aroma, wandered over.

What started as a single bowl of noodles for one person turned into a full basin of dough.

Evelyn ended up making seven bowls.

Lunchtime in the dining room was unusually quiet.

The only sounds were the rhythmic slurping of noodles.

Elian ate slowly, savoring every bite with immense care.

After finishing the bowl, a faint hint of color actually appeared on his pale cheeks.

Evelyn watched, a small smile touching her lips.

After the meal, everyone lounged on the sofas.

Natalie rubbed her rounded stomach.

"So delicious! Evelyn, your cooking is absolutely the best in the world! I'm stuffed!"

She then popped a hawthorn berry into her mouth to aid digestion.

Joanna rolled his eyes.

Elian, for once, leaned back comfortably on the sofa, a look of satisfied laziness on his face.

He suddenly spoke.

"In a few days, I'm hosting a dinner for King Alistair Montgomery. Would you all like to come?"

Joanna instantly sat up straight.

"You're close with Alistair Montgomery?"

Elian shook his head.

"Not particularly. We have some business dealings."

Evelyn thought for a moment.

"We'll go."

Mr. Valentine also nodded.

"I'll go too. I'll bring Chloe."