Valerie, relax," Julian began gently. "Your brother and I are just suggesting you be more mindful of your spending. It's not that you can't indulge in king crab, but there's no need to stretch your budget unnecessarily. It could lead to unnecessary tension between you and Matthew."

Julian, always straightforward and sincere, missed the undertone of condescension in Ashley's advice. He worried about the potential strain on Valerie's marriage and added, "Ashley has a point. It's fine to treat yourself on special occasions, but it's wise to keep everyday expenses in check."

Valerie appreciated Julian's concern. "Don't worry, Julian. If we've bought this crab, it means we can handle it."

Julian knew Valerie was always prudent with her finances. Reassured by her confidence, he relaxed. "Alright then, let's enjoy our dinner."

However, Ashley wasn't ready to drop the subject. "Just because you can afford it doesn't mean you should. Everyone can buy king crab nowadays. Remember our wedding feast? We had a bigger one than this. How much did this cost you, Matthew?"

Matthew, usually patient, found Ashley's tone grating but remained composed for Valerie's sake. "It was two—"

"200 dollars?" Ashley scoffed. "You've been tricked, Matthew. Ours was larger and only cost 175 dollars. Why is yours smaller yet more expensive? It sounds like the seller saw you as an easy target."

Valerie had had enough. Ashley's insinuation that Matthew was naive was becoming too much. "Ashley, seafood prices vary with the season; it's perfectly normal. What matters is that we enjoy the meal together. If we're all happy, a little extra cost doesn't hurt. Am I right?" Valerie's smile was tight, her calm demeanor barely masking her irritation.

Ashley, momentarily speechless, bristled silently. Valerie's confident response left her wondering how Valerie, who had married a poor man without a college degree, dared to speak so boldly.

Matthew's eyes flickered with surprise as he listened to Valerie defend him against Ashley's subtle digs. He appreciated her support, especially since he owed her for helping his grandmother. Although he couldn't reveal his true identity to her, he resolved to show his gratitude in other ways.

With a slight smile, Matthew chimed in, "Valerie's right. Seafood prices can vary, and this crab is naturally pricier. Because this is a Horsehair Crab. It costs 2000 dollars."

Observing the warm exchanges between Valerie and Julian, Matthew was reassured of their strong bond. He had arranged for several high-quality seafood dishes to be delivered through Charles, wanting to make the meal memorable.

It was evident that Valerie and Julian shared a close relationship, marked by Julian's straightforward nature. However, Ashley seemed to harbor a more cunning disposition.

Ashley looked visibly shocked. The crab's appearance, in her eyes, resembled many king crabs. Her limited experience with seafood suddenly became apparent, leaving her feeling out of her depth.

Julian, ever direct, expressed his gratitude with a warm smile. "Thanks to Matthew, we get to enjoy some truly top-notch seafood today."

Valerie donned disposable gloves and cheerfully announced, "I'll handle the crab splitting!"

Ashley, unable to mask her irritation, declined the offer. "I've been feeling unwell these past few days, and the doctor said I should skip the seafood."

Julian, concerned, asked, "You've been unwell? You should have mentioned it earlier."

Biting back her frustration, Ashley responded, "It's nothing serious. Don't worry about me; just enjoy your meal."

Valerie, picking up on the tension, focused on serving Julian and Aiden, leaving Ashley out.

As Julian tasted the crab, his eyes lit up with delight. "This is better than what we had at our wedding! It's incredibly fresh and flavorful!"

Ashley's expression darkened as Julian's praise continued. Despite her reservations, she couldn't deny the infectious enjoyment around the table, making her question if she was missing out on something truly exceptional.