Chapter 541: Chapter 541: Her Preferences
Silas Hawthorne didn’t answer immediately but looked towards Serena Sterling in the wheelchair.
Julian Lawson also looked at Serena.
Everything depended on her decision.
"Okay." Finally, Serena spoke.
After discussing the details for a while longer, Silas wheeled Serena outside.
Julian remained in the office, watching their departing backs quietly.
His heart was filled with many impulses and thoughts.
He almost couldn’t control the urge to push Silas aside and take his place.
But rationally, he was very clear.
She didn’t like it.
Many things that happened a year ago had made him realize that forcing things would only hurt her.
When he saw her lying on the hospital bed, life and death uncertain, he understood.
Only when their figures disappeared around the corner did Julian divert his gaze.
Perhaps the three of them would maintain this delicate balance of a relationship for life.
And this...
Julian lowered his eyes slightly.
For him, it was already fortunate.
While waiting for the elevator in the corridor, Serena looked at the window beside her.
Outside was a clear blue sky, with not a cloud in sight.
In the next moment, Silas took her hand.
Serena looked up and met his gentle eyes.
She smiled slightly and returned the grip on his hand.
...
The three had lunch at a restaurant Julian chose.
There was no deliberate secrecy.
When the trio, accompanied by a secretary, appeared at the restaurant entrance, everyone was utterly shocked.
"What kind of combination is this?"
"Am I blind? Am I seeing things?"
"What are they doing? Can they have a meal together?"
...
Love triangles often pique public curiosity and gossip, especially when the three people are the movers and shakers of Aeston.
The crowd was buzzing with speculation, eager to know the details.
But the three dined in a private room, with only the occasional entrance of waitstaff to serve dishes.
The waitstaff, repeatedly questioned by others, was quite helpless.
"It’s just a normal meal," the server said. "No hush money involved; Silas and Serena sat together, with Julian opposite them. Very normal, nothing strange at all."
Indeed, it was so.
Julian ordered dishes that Serena had once made for him.
Despite being together for such a long time, he hadn’t paid much attention to her dietary preferences.
But when Silas got the menu, he immediately changed the orders on the screen.
"She’s been in rehabilitation lately and can’t eat many things," Silas informed Julian.
Julian glanced at Serena, nodded.
He looked at Serena’s leg and asked, "What did the doctor say? Can she recover to what she was before?"
"Yeah." Serena nodded. "Gradually I’ll be able to stand up, but a full recovery will take months, and I’ll need to be cautious in daily life afterwards."
Julian nodded, "That’s good."
As dish after dish was placed on the table, Silas adeptly served her, while Julian clenched his fist but did nothing more.
Julian looked down at his own bowl.
This was how they interacted.
When he was with her before, she always accommodated him.
The meal ended quickly.
Nothing happened; it was just a normal meal.
When the meal ended, Julian stepped out for a bit.
Silas patted Serena’s shoulder.
Serena understood, nodding.
Julian and Silas met in a nearby cubicle.
The onlookers still don’t know what they talked about.
All they knew was when they returned to the private room entrance, Silas told Julian something.
Due to distance, they could only vaguely hear two words—"sweet tooth."
A short while later, Silas wheeled Serena out.
Julian remained in the private room alone.
When Jude Chaucer came in, he noticed Julian looking at a plate, lost in thought.
"President Lawson?" Jude tentatively asked.
Julian only then raised his head to look at Jude.
"Record today’s menu," Julian said.
Jude nodded, indicating he understood.
"Also, compile information about various sweet treats domestically and internationally, and send it to me later," Julian continued.
Jude was a bit surprised but didn’t ask further, promptly instructing his staff to do it.
...
When Serena was sent back to Aeon by Silas, she saw online discussions.
She gave Silas a curious look.
"What did you say to him?" Serena asked curiously.
Silas raised an eyebrow, closed the office door, and said, "I noticed he didn’t know what you liked to eat, so I told him you have a sweet tooth, especially for the shop downstairs at Hawthorne Group, where you and Seraphina both love."
Serena glared at him.
Still... she indeed loved it.
Silas chuckled, sat beside her, and said, "I still remember the scene when I first took you to Hawthorne Group and escorted you downstairs."
Serena looked at him with curiosity.
Seeing her expression was amusing, Silas poked her cheek.
"Back then, the shop had just baked bread; while talking to me, your eyes kept darting over there," Silas recalled, finding the memory funny.
"Later, I watched you for a bit and noticed you indeed went to that shop and bought a bunch of little desserts, looking quite happy. That’s how I knew."
What Silas didn’t mention was, back then, he was delighted to discover her small preference.
He later tried all the shop’s desserts and picked a few he deemed tasty, and would bring them back each time, which she adored.
Eventually, he discovered more of her little likes.
For example, she enjoyed having shrimp peeled together and it had to be freshly peeled, then she’d eat them piled together, and especially liked them skewered.
She liked sunny days, large windows in offices, and would watch the blue sky when work tired her.
She didn’t like beds too soft, preferring her pillow to be slightly elevated while sleeping.
Various things.
He discovered her many habits and likes little by little, finding the process intriguing.
And he was quite happy with it.
Silas thought about it and started grinning.
Seeing him constantly poking her face, Serena stretched her hand to pull his cheek.
Then Silas poked again, she pulled, tugging his cheek outward.
They inexplicably began competing.
Much like their spontaneous breath-holding contest before.
When Raine knocked on the door and entered, he saw this situation.
He was astonished.
"Sorry, I’ll... I’ll leave," Raine immediately turned and left, closing the door.
Once outside, Raine paused a moment and then couldn’t help but laugh.
Those passing by found her inexplicable.
Shortly after, Silas stepped out too, and glanced at Raine.
"I’m heading back," Silas said.
"Okay, Mr. Hawthorne," Raine stifled a laugh and replied.
