Chapter 1641

[ 665 words ]

If Abe couldn’t hold the line after his father retired, their prestigious family brand would collapse into dust.

He was surviving on sheer willpower.

“The flavor is incredible.”

Claire sampled a piece.

Duck tongues were a low-yield ingredient; a massive platter like this could easily command an exorbitant price.

While Abe called it a new recipe, he certainly wasn’t the first chef to ever cook it.

However, his version carried his distinct culinary signature-a perfect balance of numbing heat followed by a subtle, lingering sweetness. It was the ultimate compliment to a strong drink.

It was more intensely flavorful than purely spicy.

A few moments later, another server walked in carrying yet another dish.

“This is compliments of VIP Room 6. They specifically asked to send it to Ms. Claire.”

Claire wasn’t shocked. Dane’s friend was probably the one sitting in Room 6. “Please pass on my thanks to him.”

She casually shot Dane a text. The dish was a massive, perfectly prepared Sweet & Sour Crispy Bass. While the fish was incredibly fresh, it wasn’t exactly Claire’s absolute favorite.

Not that the sender would know that, which was perfectly fine.

The execution of the dish was flawless.

“It seems Ms. Claire moves in very high circles,” Abe noted with a knowing look.

He knew exactly who was in Room 6 tonight-an entire table of Cabinda’s elite heirs.

They were the city’s premier trust fund royalty.

Sure, they embraced the playboy lifestyle passed down from their ancestors, but every single one of them was a ruthless, highly successful businessman in their own right. They weren’t just idle rich kids.

They frequented his restaurant but never threw their weight around or caused

scenes.

Abe was more than happy to cater to them. Having their implicit protection meant nobody else in the city dared to cause trouble at his establishment.

“I just know a few people. I’m really just a normal college student.” Claire took a bite

of the fish, then immediately reached her fork back out for another spicy duck tongue.

Yeah, the fiery spice was definitely more her speed.

Abe caught the subtle preference. Whoever the wealthy heir was in that room trying to impress the pretty. girl he clearly hadnt guessed her palate correctly.

Dr. Terrance, however, was in absolute heaven.

He adored the Sweet & Sour Crispy Bass.

Abe hadn’t mentioned having anything this spectacular on the menu today.

He shot Abe a deeply betrayed look. “You hold out the good stuff from an old friend? Did you think I couldn’t afford it?”

“They brought the fish in themselves. What did you expect me to do?”

Abe rolled his eyes. “You can taste the quality of the meat. That’s a pure, wild- caught bass.”

“I can source them, sure, but I can’t compete with those billionaires.”

“They snap their fingers and get whatever they want, whenever they want it.”

Hearing that, Dr. Terrance cast another bewildered glance at Claire.

Just who exactly was this girl?

As Claire was finishing up her meal, Dane finally arrived.

He had originally planned to work late at the office, and his housekeeper had already prepared dinner for him at home.

But when a friend called to say they had run into Claire, he immediately changed his plans.

The friends who had spotted Claire were part of the same inner circle as Van and Tilda.

They had all attended Van’s wedding

and formally met Claire, knowing her hot only as Dane’s fiances but Tilda’s surrogate little sister.

Tilda introduced Claire to everyone like she was her own blood.

Even Van had boldly declared that Claire was under his protection, telling everyone to look out for her.

Given their tight bond with Van and their solid relationship with Dane, there was zero chance they weren’t going to tip Dane off.

The one who actually recognized her car was Caleb Cole.

Claire regularly visited The Cole Family estate to treat his

grandfather, Kendriction et

care the old man’s condition had completely stabilized.

Caleb Cole was profoundly grateful to her, and he knew her custom Porsche by

sight.

Seeing it parked outside, he naturally gave Dane a heads-up.

He was also the one who ordered the kitchen to send over the bass, a gesture nobody at his table questioned.

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