Chapter 196: Be a Man

Maggie whispered to Kevin, "Yes, very much."

Kevin smiled. "How good it is to be young!"

After setting the table, Leo and Kevin sat on one side; Maggie sat with Nathael on the other.

"Eat more," Leo said, scooping food from far away and placing it on Maggie's plate.

Maggie glared at him, smiling wryly. She wished her legs were longer so she could kick him under the table. She didn't understand why Leo was acting so childish.

Nathael remained silent, but he, too, added food to Maggie's plate after Leo. Though they exchanged no words, Kevin sensed a rivalry between them.

"Try this," Nathael offered.

"This tastes good, too," Leo immediately countered, placing chicken on Maggie's plate.

They repeated this several times. Maggie's eyes twitched. When had Nathael become so childish? She looked down at her overflowing plate. What are they doing in front of my teacher?

Kevin, however, seemed amused by their youthful energy. Maggie knew they were trying to determine which dish she'd eat first, but she couldn't tell who had cooked what. Did they write their names on them? Did they cook the dishes they placed on my plate?

"Damn it!" Maggie grew angrier. Leo and Nathael's gazes made her uneasy.

Finally, she couldn't take it anymore. She put down her cutlery. "Why don't you two settle this with a fight? Just fight it out instead of dumping everything on me!"

15:38 Wed, 22 May

Maggie said with a straight face, "Man up! Resolve your problems like men!"

Silence. Leo and Nathael stared at her. Maggie's confidence faltered. Why am I involved in this mess?

"If you two are going to fight, give me a heads-up; I'll buy some popcorn," she said weakly.

Nathael's intense gaze made her uncomfortable. She shrunk back, stealing a glance at Leo. His eyes were cold and distant behind his glasses. Maggie remained quiet, afraid to speak. Life's hard on me today!

Leo, wild in his youth, had become more composed yet unpredictable with age—far scarier than before.

Maggie picked up her cutlery and ate quietly. The meal was scrumptious, but she couldn't enjoy it. She stuck to the salad to avoid further trouble. Salad is the best! Eww! What am I thinking about?

Nathael noticed her change and looked away. He stood, inviting Leo to smoke outside.

"Sure, let's go."

Maggie sighed in relief, leaning back after they left. She resented them. "Mr. Dunphy, they're being ridiculous!"

Kevin smiled. "Leo's worried and looking out for you. Our judgments of people aren't always reliable." Maggie froze. In my previous life, that had indeed been the case.

15:38 Wed, 22 May

Leo had never liked the Camerons, believing Maggie unworthy, especially of Joseph. Despite this, he let her follow her heart, remaining cautious even when she wanted to repay them. However, things changed unexpectedly when Nathael arrived and caused chaos in Aquapolis for several years.

Maggie remained quiet, thinking about it. Kevin was right; Leo's judgment was sharper than hers. He always put her first, giving her everything she wanted.

"Aren't you going to eat? You might not get another chance," Kevin said, his usual strict demeanor softening.

Maggie snapped out of it. "Yes, I'm going to eat now. Whatever! I'm going to eat first! My delicious food, here I come!"

She quickly devoured her food, fearing the men would return before she finished. Kevin looked at her affectionately. "Nathael is a good man. He's capable and reliable. I know he can protect you."

Maggie looked up. "You speak highly of him."

"You can see a person's character through their words and actions. They'll reveal their true colors eventually if they're pretending," Kevin continued.

Maggie listened, recalling when Kevin had met Joseph coincidentally at the mall. Kevin had noticed their close relationship and worried for a long time, eventually having a long conversation with her. He subtly advised her to differentiate between gratitude and love, suggesting it was acceptable to repay kindness but not to devote her whole life to it. Little did she know what happened later was almost predestined. Her life was ruined.

"Eat first, don't worry about them," Kevin reassured her. Maggie continued eating. Even with only Kevin present, they ate heartily.

15:38 Wed, 22 May

Under Maggie's influence, Kevin ate more than usual.

In Kevin's garden, on a stone pathway, Nathael offered Leo a cigarette, which he accepted and lit. After a puff, Leo spoke softly, "You wanted to talk?"

Nathael looked at him. "Do you have feelings for Maggie?"

Their eyes met; tension filled the air. Silence descended, broken only by swaying branches. After a moment, Leo chuckled, "So what if I do?"