Chapter 138: Chapter 138

Chapter 138:

“Thank you, Brenton!” Harlee beamed, clearly favoring the promise of a warm meal over cold bread.

As Brenton got busy in the kitchen, Harlee perched herself on a bar stool, watching him intently.

“I had no idea you could cook,” she remarked.

Brenton shrugged, a wry smile on his face.

“Had to pick up cooking.

Can’t really stomach much of the food abroad.” Recalling earlier events, he quirked an eyebrow, his tone playful.

“So, why did you trick me back at the Tartarus Club?”

Harlee stuck out her tongue, the gesture playful.

“I was scared of getting a scolding.”

Feeling the warmth of acceptance, Harlee’s heart thawed gradually, embracing the Sandersons as her real family.

Although she had been with them for just a few weeks, the genuine affection and the cozy dynamics of family life were profoundly touching. This was the reason she decided to let her guard down.

“Well…” Brenton’s smile widened, his eyes turning tender.

“Always remember, no matter the circumstances, you have me to rely on.”

“I’ll sweep away any barriers for you!”

A warm sensation flickered across Harlee’s eyes, and she found herself momentarily speechless. To feel the warmth of familial love twice in a single evening was a comfort she hadn’t experienced in a long, lonely decade.

Absorbed in plating the spaghetti, Brenton missed the look on Harlee’s face.

He offhandedly said, “Oh, and before heading up to the rooftop gambling hall, I overheard something about two hundred million in cash…”

Harlee hesitated, a playful smile dancing on her lips.

“Just the top layer, really.

Beneath that, it’s all paper.”

Her years of savings had been steadily drained by her previous commitments to the Gill family, making it impossible for her to scrape together such a vast sum of two hundred million. If that weren’t the case, she wouldn’t find herself owing a staggering billion to Rhys. Thinking of Rhys, a pang of guilt hit her as she realized she had neglected to return his call. It seemed too late to reach out now. She’d catch up with Rhys tomorrow to thank him properly.

“Harlee?” Brenton’s voice, laced with concern, snapped her back to reality.

“The spaghetti’s ready.

Come have some while it’s steaming.”

“Alright!”

As the steam wafted up from the plate, Harlee gently lifted a strand of spaghetti, blew softly to cool it, and slipped it into her mouth. She then flashed a beaming thumbs up.

“Absolutely scrumptious.”

“Eat up, and next time I’ll whip up something else that’s just as tasty for you,” Brenton said, pulling out a card loaded with a hundred million.

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