Chapter 497

Stella Valentine had just lifted a spoonful of hot soup when Adrian Roland's words nearly made her choke. She coughed violently as a tissue appeared before her.

"Thanks." She took it without looking up, assuming Penny Anderson had handed it to her.

"You're welcome."

That familiar deep voice made her head snap up. Adrian's amused eyes met hers, and she realized the tissue had come from him. Her ears burned instantly.

"I was thanking Penny," she said stiffly.

Adrian withdrew his hand unfazed. "Just didn't want you choking. Need another tissue?"

Little Celeste focused on her wontons, cheeks puffed like a chipmunk. Ethan, sensing tension, swiftly popped a cherry tomato into Luna's mouth before she could ask questions.

"Yes." Stella snatched the tissue from his hand and ducked her head to continue eating under everyone's puzzled stares.

Martha Clementson gave Penny a questioning look, but the secretary subtly shook her head in warning.

"Come, try my pear soup!" Benjamin Langley's booming voice broke the silence as he carried in a steaming pot. "This dry weather calls for something moisturizing—"

He froze when both Stella and Adrian's expressions turned rigid.

Pear soup.

Memories of that night flooded back simultaneously.

They lowered their heads in unison, suddenly very interested in their wontons.

Benjamin belatedly realized his blunder. "It's just plain pear soup! Nothing else added, I swear!"

Stella forced a laugh, wishing she could vanish into her bowl.

The three children exchanged confused glances, curiosity shining in six wide eyes.

"Does Mommy not like the fritillary in pear soup?" Celeste piped up. "It's so bitter!" She held out her bowl eagerly. "Grandpa Ben, can I try?"

Adrian cleared his throat, catching Stella's crimson ears from the corner of his eye. His lips curved involuntarily.

Still so easily flustered.

Oblivious, Benjamin cheerfully lifted the ladle. "Of course!"

"Wait." Martha eyed the pot suspiciously. "You really only used pears?"

"Naturally!" Benjamin puffed his chest. "Excellent for clearing heat and moistening lungs."

Adrian spoke suddenly. "Did you consult a chef?"

"Well..." Benjamin scratched his head. "It's just pear soup. How complicated could it be?"

Martha swiftly took the pot. "Let me handle this. It needs tremella and wolfberries to taste good. Everyone wait—dessert's coming after dinner."

The children cheered. Stella and Adrian accidentally locked eyes before quickly looking away.

Adrian's quiet chuckle earned him a glare from Stella.

Dinner concluded in awkward silence. When Martha returned with the improved soup, Stella practically leaped up to help serve it.

"Mr. Roland should have some too," Martha said meaningfully. "You've been... irritable lately."

Adrian raised an eyebrow. "I'm not inflamed."

"Not that kind of heat." Martha winked. "You and Ms. Valentine haven't... Well, that look in your eyes earlier was downright predatory—"

Sputter!

Stella sprayed pear soup across the table. Fumbling with napkins, her voice shook. "T-too hot..."