<b>Chapter </b><b>468 </b>
Silvia wanted to stay a bit longer and instinctively nced at Aria, her eyes silently asking for permission.
“Stay for dinner,” Aria offered.
Hearing the reply, Silvia’s <b>face </b>lit up with a bright smile. “Sounds great,” she replied cheerfully.
Just as Silvia was wondering about dinner arrangements, she saw Owen knock and enter.
With a gentle smile, Owen nodded at everyone, then turned to Aria. “Dinner for five tonight, I’ll add a couple more dishes. Anything special you’d like to
eat?”
No one spoke. “Let’s add some steak and a vegetable sd,” Aria said.
She headed to the kitchen. “I’ll wash and chop the veggies.”
Seeing this, Lily quickly got to her feet and said, “I’ll lend a hand too. Pearl, you and your sister just stay and chat—just wait for dinner<b>.</b><b>” </b>
“Okay.” Pearl nodded.
After the door closed, Silvia turned to Pearl with curiosity and asked, “So, do you usually eat at Mr. Shaw’s ce<b>?</b><b>” </b>
Pearl beamed with happiness, her face glowing as she replied, “Yes, Silvia! Mr. Shaw is such a great cook! How lucky Aria <b>is</b><b>!</b><b>” </b>
“Oh? Is Mr. Shaw dating Aria?” Silvia asked in surprise.
Pearl nodded vigorously, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Silvia thought for a moment about the Shaw family, then smiled. “Mr. Shaw really is a great guy,” she said.
In Mandino City, the Shaw family enjoyed an impable reputation–a stark contrast to the Shaw family in Kanit City.
She had met Owen’s mother, Emma–a remarkably open–minded and kind–hearted woman.
At a banquet, when someone mocked Aria, Emma immediately pped back. Owen’s father, James, fiercely defended his wife, firing back at those gossips without regard for his status.
She was sure the Shaw family would treat Aria well.
During dinner, Silvia discreetly observed Owen’s every move.
Owen’s attention wasn’t solely on Aria. He was equally attentive to the other girls, carefully ensuring everyone felt cared for.
After dinner, Owen effortlessly cleared the table while everyone else stayed seated, as if this were routine.
One saying had always stuck with Silvia.
It said, “Don’t fall for someone just because they’re good to you; fall for someone who’s inherently good and chooses to be good to you.”
<b>‘</b>Owen perfectly fits thatst description<b>, </b>Silvia thought.
Joseph introduced her to Luciano Norton. While rumors painted him as gentle, she’d seen his cruel side firsthand.
She was terrified of that man. The thought of spending her life with him made her skin crawl.
After Silvia left, Aria walked into the kitchen. “Our hardworking Mr. Shaw–still having to cook <b>for </b><b>us </b>after a long <b>day </b><b>at </b><b>work</b><b>,” </b><b>she </b><b>teased</b>.
<b>1/2 </b>
She nced around, looking for something she could help with.
Owen subtly stopped her hand and smiled. “I really enjoy cooking. When I was alone, it could get pretty lonely, but now, with everyone around, it feats to lively–I really love it.”
“If it weren’t for my cooking skills, I might never have won you over.”
There was not much he was good at–cooking was pretty much the only thing he could take pride in
Owen chuckled and teased, “Besides… you always bring home adorable young girls, never any mischievous young guys”
Before Aria moved into Mayen Garden, Owen had lived a solitary routine–cooking and eating alone, day after day.
After she moved in, Derek, Caleb, Lily, and Pearl starteding around, and the household grew livelier by the day.
Owen turned to look at Aria, <b>a </b>gentle smile softening his eyes.
Somewhere along the way, the quiet emptiness in her eyes faded, reced by a y of emotions<b>, </b>and her smiles became more frequent.
Owen’s gaze lingered on Aria’s lips, and out of nowhere, he suddenly remembered how fiercely she’d bitten his shoulder the night before. His ears burned.
At that moment, he’d wanted her to let herself go and make a sound, to stop holding back, but she wouldn’t<b>–</b>and ended up biting his shoulder instead.
Aria arched an eyebrow and teased, “Isn’t Derek a young guy?”
Seriously? His mind had to go there at a time like this?
Owen chided himself inwardly, then said, “He doesn’t count.”
Little did Owen know that this “young guy” would arrive so soon.