Chapter 356

Vivian hurried to clarify, "It's just that I'm concerned about Audrey—"

Adrian brushed off her worries with an indifferent flick of his wrist. "What's there to worry about? Dominic's security team is the finest in Crestwood. She's perfectly safe."

"That's not what concerns me—" Vivian muttered, pressing her lips together in quiet displeasure.

Adrian studied her face. "You're worried about their relationship, aren't you?"

Vivian's eyebrows shot up. "How did you know?"

He gave a derisive chuckle. "It's written all over your face."

With a sigh, Vivian lowered her gaze. "They're not well-suited."

Adrian leaned back casually. "In matters of the heart, there's no such thing as perfect compatibility. It boils down to whether two people want each other. This is the first time I've seen Dominic so taken with a woman. Whether Audrey returns his feelings—you'd know better than I."

"Love is something only the people involved can navigate. Outsiders just complicate things."

Vivian softly repeated his words, "So in relationships, there's no perfect match, only wanting or not wanting?"

She turned to study Adrian's profile. His expression remained impassive, as if they were discussing the weather.

Biting back the question burning her tongue—Do you want me?—Vivian instead asked, "Would you prefer seafood or something else?"

Adrian pulled out his phone without looking at her, his voice laced with sarcasm. "With such half-hearted gratitude, the menu hardly matters."

"If it doesn't matter, then let's go to that new seafood place. I've been craving their caviar-topped snow crab with that special pickled radish—so refreshing! And their sea urchin toast, with the crispy bread slathered in sweet pumpkin purée and piled high with fresh uni. Oh! And the Wagyu with matsutake mushrooms—that sizzle when it hits the hot stone..." Vivian trailed off dreamily.

Adrian remained silent. Was the issue truly about the food? Or her lackluster show of appreciation?

His voice turned frosty. "I'm beginning to think you only invited me to indulge your own cravings."

Vivian pouted. "I suggested it because the food is extraordinary and I wanted to experience it with you."

Adrian's stern features softened almost imperceptibly at her explanation. "How tragic that you've been deprived of thousand-dollar meals for so long."

She shrugged. "You don't understand. Occasional treats are special. Even emperors grew tired of daily feasts—that's why plain buns tasted divine during their incognito outings."

"Hmm," Adrian murmured, the disdain in his tone belied by an undercurrent of affection.

Ethan, watching through the rearview mirror, hid his astonishment behind a cough.