Chapter 683

When the freshly cooked ravioli arrived, its aroma filled the air.

“Thank you for letting me go first, Mr. Prince,” Ava said with a smile. “Next time you come to my shop for coffee beans, I’ll give you a discount.”

Caspian regarded her with curiosity. “How much of a discount?”

Ava blinked playfully, her eyes sparkling. “How much of a discount would you like, Mr. Prince?”

Her sweet appearance and innocent charm made her resemble a beautiful flower in full bloom. Even the most steadfast gentleman might feel his heart flutter. However, Caspian seemed oblivious to her beauty, focused instead on the matter at hand.

“Give me the same discount as Lord Snyder,” he said.

Ava giggled, her eyes twinkling. “That won’t do! Since you were kind enough to let me have the ravioli first, I must repay you properly. How about this—if you come in person and buy a pound, I’ll throw in half a pound for free?”

“It’s a deal,” Caspian replied excitedly.

“You got it!”

Ava smiled, exuding a quiet, captivating beauty. But Caspian shifted his gaze to Harold, who was moving painfully slowly.

After a moment, Caspian turned back to Ava. “Didn’t you say you were hungry? Why aren’t you eating?”

Ava tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, revealing ruby-red earrings that accentuated her gaze. “Seeing you made me so happy I momentarily forgot I was hungry.”

Caspian chuckled softly, but inwardly thought, If you weren’t hungry, you should have said so earlier. Now I’ve wasted time letting you go first!

Ava Weaver was Celeste’s new identity. With graceful movements, she began to eat her ravioli, her delicate lips parting with each bite. The small ravioli were tender and flavorful, but she seemed to need two or three bites per piece.

Caspian frowned. Harold’s ravioli were thin-skinned, filled with fresh ingredients, and small enough for Luna to eat two in one bite. Yet, Ava struggled with one. A truly hungry person would have eaten three in one bite.

Ava didn’t seem as hungry as she claimed, yet insisted on going first. Caspian found her character questionable. Even with discounted coffee beans, he’d think twice before buying from her. Her “buy one, get half off” offer seemed designed to attract business, but who knew what kind of goods that half-pound would be? If it turned out to be old, unsold grounds—

[…The +25 BON and coins section seems out of place and needs further context. It’s omitted here for clarity.]

Chapter 683 (Continued)

Celeste continued eating, believing herself to be the picture of grace. Knowing Caspian occasionally bought ravioli, she’d recently established a rapport with Harold. As soon as she arrived, Harold recognized her.

“It’s ready, Mr. Prince,” Harold called out.

Caspian quickly stood and handed over some silver coins.

Harold waved his hand. “That’s too much! Let me give you your change.”

Caspian chuckled. “It’s not too much. It’s just the right amount.”

“You’re always like this.” Harold smiled helplessly and thanked him profusely. “Thank you, Mr. Prince.”

“I’m leaving now. I’ll come by again in a few days,” Caspian said, taking the ravioli. Then, politely addressing Celeste, he added, “Ms. Weaver, I’m leaving now.”

Celeste looked up with a smile. The steam rising from her ravioli lent her an air of mystery.

“Take care, Mr. Prince. Don’t forget to visit my shop.”

“Of course,” Caspian replied politely as he climbed into his carriage and left.

Once he was gone, Celeste’s smile vanished. She set down her cutlery and coldly said, “Ella, settle the bill.”

Harold glanced at her barely touched bowl.

“Ms. Weaver, didn’t you say you were hungry? Why haven’t you finished? Did I cook the ravioli poorly tonight?”

Celeste forced a smile. “No, it’s not that. Your ravioli is delicious. I just starved myself too much today, and now my stomach aches.”

Harold chuckled. “When you’re too hungry, you really can’t eat. You shouldn’t skip meals. Take care of your health, young lady.”

As Ella settled the bill, Celeste left, fuming. Caspian was a coward and blind. Having met his wife, Luna, Celeste knew she was an ordinary-looking merchant’s daughter, at best somewhat pretty.

How could she compare to Celeste? With Celeste's looks, what prince or noble wouldn't want her? Even Eugene had forgotten his wife, staring at Celeste with undisguised interest. There was no man Celeste couldn’t conquer. Men like Caspian should be easy. It was only a matter of time.