Chapter 213
Autumn is puzzled by Keith’s unusual request that she remind him of something, especially since he is known for having a poor memory himself. Keith, pressed for time, quickly locks the door and leaves to catch a flight. Downstairs, Jesse waits for Keith by the car and notices Keith carrying a plain container of oatmeal himself, which seems out of character for a successful company boss. Despite this humble meal, Keith wears a rare, genuine smile that surprises Jesse, who has never seen him so happy before. Jesse reflects that Keith’s good mood might mean a lighter workload for the employees.
Upon arriving in Seaview City, Autumn and Ethan settle into a hotel restaurant for lunch, but Autumn feels unwell and lacks appetite despite the variety of dishes. She explains to Ethan that she had snacks on the plane and is not very hungry, a small lie she manages to get away with since they were seated apart during the flight. Ethan notices her discomfort and asks gently about it, but Autumn brushes it off.
Their quiet meal is interrupted when Julian, Luna, and the Lewis brothers approach their table, asking to join them because the restaurant is supposedly full. Simon apologizes and offers to pay the bill, but his tone deliberately excludes Autumn by addressing Ethan alone. Ethan immediately sees through the poor excuse and declines the invitation firmly, knowing their real intention was something else. He then invites Autumn to leave, leaving the group to find their own place, ending the awkward encounter.
Chapter 213
Autumn lowered her gaze even further, confusion knitting her brows. What exactly did he mean by being afraid he’d forget? That sounded absurd. After all, he was the one known for having a notoriously poor memory. If anyone was unreliable when it came to remembering things, it was definitely him. And now, he expected *her* to remind him? The logic behind that request seemed utterly backwards.
Keith glanced at his watch, noting the time was pressing. Without wasting a moment, he locked the door behind him and headed out. “I have a flight to catch. I’ll leave first,” he said briskly.
Downstairs, Jesse was already waiting by the car. The moment he spotted Keith stepping out, he quickly moved to open the door and grab the luggage. But Keith clung stubbornly to what he was carrying in his hands. Jesse caught a glimpse — it looked like a simple container of oatmeal, plain and unadorned.
If Jesse hadn’t known that the company was flourishing, he might have suspected they were on the brink of bankruptcy. The idea of the boss eating something so humble, and even carrying it into the car himself, seemed completely out of character. What was more surprising was the faint smile playing on Keith’s lips, a rare softness that lit up his usually guarded expression. Just the sight of it made Jesse want to laugh quietly.
In all the years he’d been by Keith’s side, this was the first time Jesse had seen him genuinely happy. Normally, Keith’s smiles were mere formalities, polite facades worn to mask what lay beneath. But yesterday, Keith had taken the entire day off. Jesse had no clue where he had gone or what had happened, but whatever it was, it had clearly lifted his spirits.
If the boss was in a good mood, then life for the employees would likely be easier too. No more crushing workloads or endless demands. Just thinking about that possibility brought a lightness to Jesse’s heart.
Keith’s thin lips parted as he said, “To the airport p>
By the time Autumn arrived in Seaview City, the sun was high in the sky, already past noon. They settled into their seats at the hotel restaurant, and by the time the food arrived, it was well after one o’clock.
Though the table was laden with a variety of dishes, Autumn found herself lacking appetite. Perhaps it was because she had missed her usual meal times, leaving her stomach unsettled and sour. Despite having taken her medicine back in the hotel room, the discomfort lingered, dulling her desire to eat.
Peter had prescribed a handful of pills this time, and after swallowing them, Autumn felt unusually full, unable to eat much more than a few bites.
Noticing the troubled look on her face, Ethan asked gently, “Is something wrong? Don’t like the food here p>
Autumn shook her head softly. “No, I had some snacks on the plane, so I’m just not very hungry right now p>
Since she hadn’t been seated near Ethan during the flight, she could get away with that little white lie. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have known what excuse to come up with—it was such a relief to avoid explaining further.
The two of them ate slowly, the atmosphere calm, when suddenly a group approached their table. Autumn looked up and recognized Julian and Luna, accompanied by the two Lewis brothers.
Simon spoke with an apologetic tone, “Mr. Sharp, we just went to meet a professor, and when we came back, all the seats here were taken p>
He hesitated, then added, “Would you mind if we joined your table? Don’t worry, I’ll cover the bill p>
His choice of words—addressing Ethan directly as “you” instead of “you two”—clearly excluded Autumn on purpose.
Ethan caught on immediately. He glanced at the group, then set down his fork and stood up. “No need. I’m not so poor that I can’t afford a meal p>
“I’m finished anyway. Autumn, let’s go. Mr. Lewis, please, help yourselves p>
Ethan knew exactly what their real intention was. A hotel this size with no open tables? They couldn’t even come up with a better excuse. Besides, even if the hotel was truly full, didn’t they have the option to find another place to eat?
The tension hung briefly in the air before Ethan turned away, signaling the end of the matter.
The chapter delicately explores the subtle shifts in Keith’s demeanor, revealing a rare moment of genuine happiness that contrasts with his usual guarded nature. This fleeting softness not only touches those around him, like Jesse, but also hints at a quiet hope for change in the atmosphere of their lives. Meanwhile, Autumn’s physical discomfort and the strained interaction at the hotel table underscore the emotional and social challenges she continues to face, painting a poignant picture of vulnerability and resilience.
In this quiet tension between characters, the chapter gently highlights themes of memory, trust, and the unspoken barriers that shape their relationships. The delicate balance of understanding and distance, warmth and coolness, creates an emotional undercurrent that leaves readers reflecting on the complexity of connection and the small moments that carry profound meaning.
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the subtle tensions simmering beneath the surface of seemingly ordinary interactions. As Autumn and Ethan navigate the social dynamics with Julian, Luna, and the Lewis brothers, readers can anticipate a delicate dance of power and pride that may reveal more about their true intentions. The undercurrent of exclusion and unspoken challenges hints at conflicts that could test loyalties and expose vulnerabilities.
Meanwhile, Keith’s rare moment of genuine happiness and the mystery surrounding his recent day off suggest that there are layers to his character yet to be uncovered. How this newfound softness will influence his decisions and relationships remains to be seen, but it’s clear that his mood could ripple through the lives of those around him in unexpected ways. Emotional complexities and shifting alliances are on the horizon, setting the stage for a chapter rich in subtle drama and personal revelations.