Chapter 154: A Special Case
A few minutes later, Beth ended the call and rejoined the others. Looking embarrassed, she said, "I'm sorry, my friend had a last-minute emergency and can't join us. Might I join your table?"
Nathael was dumbfounded.
Maggie's lips curled into a hint of a smile, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
Nathael, however, looked cold, clearly displeased by the interruption to his meal with Maggie.
As he was about to refuse, Maggie said, "Sure. It's rare to encounter you, Ms. Bray. It's fate."
Seeing this, Nathael remained silent, letting Maggie have her way. She was not easily intimidated.
Beth was stunned, clearly not expecting Maggie to agree so readily. However, she suspected Maggie's motives were not pure. And indeed, they weren't.
At the table, originally spacious enough for four, Maggie and Nathael sat opposite each other. As soon as Beth received permission, she sat beside Nathael. He frowned and said coldly, "Move over there."
His abrupt and discourteous refusal stiffened Beth's cheeks, forcing her to stand. However, unwilling to sit next to Maggie, she called the waiter to add a chair to the side of the table.
Maggie sighed. Beth was persistent, indeed. Nathael was giving her no face at all. If it were Maggie, she would have left in anger long ago.
Glancing at the dishes, Beth said rather imperiously, "The Scottish smoked salmon and red wine braised beef here are excellent. Ms. Adam, would you care to try them?"
Seeing Beth assume the role of hostess, Maggie readily agreed. "Sure."
Beth immediately called the waiter and ordered an additional ribeye steak and Boston lobster. After ordering, she turned to Maggie, adopting a familiar tone. "Ms. Adam, are you accompanying Nathael on a project abroad? Hm, very good."
(The following paragraph is a narrative aside from the scene and should be removed or rewritten as dialogue if it's meant to be spoken.)
She effortlessly positions herself as a man's accessory and playmate, somehow implying there's nothing wrong with that.
Chapter 154: A Special Case
Maggie found Beth more interesting than Vanessa. She inexplicably wanted to see how this well-bred lady would maintain her composure.
Hearing this, Maggie feigned shyness, glancing affectionately at Nathael.
"Yes, there was a school exchange program. Initially, I didn't want to go, but Nathael persuaded me to relax, so I agreed. I didn't expect him to come along as well," Maggie said affectedly, a hint of infuriating sweetness in her eyes and brows.
(The following paragraph is a narrative aside from the scene and should be removed or rewritten as dialogue if it's meant to be spoken.)
Well, faced with a woman who desires Nathael, appearing weak, helpless, and pitiful, what else could I do? Of course, I need to infuriate her!
"I've heard of you. Securing a spot on the school's overseas exchange program is quite impressive," Maggie said with a smile.
Maggie raised an eyebrow, her smile enigmatic. "Sorry, but I haven't heard of you."
That single sentence effectively ended the conversation.
Nathael couldn't help but curl his lips slightly. He unbuttoned his shirt, leaning back to reveal his Adam's apple.
Beth's smile faltered. She was about to speak when she noticed the red bracelet on Maggie's wrist. It was delicate and simple, yet the red against her fair skin was striking.
Beth instinctively glanced at Nathael. She thought she saw a flash of red on his wrist where he wore his watch, but couldn't examine it closely.
Nathael ignored her, gently pushing the appetizers toward Maggie. "Let's eat first."
Maggie smiled back, her eyes crinkling slightly.
Beth couldn't manage a smile. It was the same style of bracelet… Were they already dating? Nathael was not one to wear such things voluntarily, but now…
"Ms. Adam, your bracelet is quite unique. What brand is it?" Beth asked, trying to maintain composure.
Maggie paused, then extended her wrist. "This? I bought it from a street vendor. I even gave Nathael one. Don't you think it's nice?" Their casual conversation belied the underlying tension.
Beth felt stifled. A street vendor? And he wore it!
"It's lovely. I didn't expect Nathael to wear something like that. I've never seen him wear anything similar," Beth said slowly.
Maggie pretended not to understand the implication, remaining unfazed. "When you get a boyfriend, you'll understand. You'll like whatever he gives you, right, Nathael?"
"Right," Nathael replied calmly, helping Maggie remove a fish bone.
Beth's eyes stung with jealousy and bitterness, but mostly with resentment. She realized she would cherish even an inexpensive gift from Nathael.
Remembering something, Beth smiled. "Speaking of which, I remember Nathael giving me a diamond bracelet, similar in style to yours, Ms. Adam." Maggie was not pleased.
"Similar in style" my foot! There's only one tiny diamond on mine. How can it be similar?
Maggie smiled narrowly, her gaze sharp as she said gently, "He's always been thoughtful."
Nathael frowned, intending to explain. But seeing her displeasure, he lost the urge.
"Yes, I believe I did give her one once," he responded calmly, without rebuttal. He had no memory of it. The only possibility was a birthday gift handled by Alex or the butler. Maggie glanced at him with a playful, ambiguous expression. His admission unsettled her.
How annoying! He gave Beth jewelry! He's a womanizer showing mercy everywhere! Where does he get the nerve?
Maggie surreptitiously stepped on his shoe, maintaining an unchanged expression.
Seeing Nathael's admission, Beth's mood improved considerably. "This red wine braised beef is Nathael's favorite. Ms. Adam, would you like to try it?"
Maggie looked at it and declined regretfully. "No, I'm afraid I won't have the opportunity to enjoy it."
"Why?" Beth was curious.
Maggie sighed, gently placing her hand on her stomach, her eyes tender. "Because of my condition, I can't consume alcohol. Ms. Bray, I'm sure you understand."