Chapter 373 Arnold offered a piece of steak to William, who in return, playfully nudged a morsel into his father’s mouth. Two of them were having a good time.
From time to time, William would act childishly, pouting and whining for Arnold to serve him more food.
Kane, who was sitting next to him, ate his meal in silence, exuding an icy demeanor akin to Leopold. Both of them were aloof and distant. Their stoic personalities didn’t allow for the warmth and intimacy Arnold and William shared, let alone any playful banter.
Aurelia sighed inwardly. William had always been the apple of Arnold's eye, basking in his father’s unconditional love and care.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtEven if there came a day when he discovered his true parentage, Aurelia doubted he would ever grow close to Leopold.
After all, Leopold's reserved expressions of fatherly love might be difficult for William to handle.
Aurelia’s gaze wandered across the lights and the bustling crowd, finally resting upon the rocks in the distance.
A woman, clad in a long, red gown stood atop the rocky terrain. As she slowly turned around, the moonlight cast a pallid glow on her beautiful face. Aurelia felt a pang of familiarity, as if she had seen her somewhere before.
Suddenly, an old photograph flashed in her mind, followed by a rush of panic. Her hand. shook and the spoon in her hand scraped the bottom of the bowl with a sharp, ear—piercing sound.
The surrounding diners were too engrossed in their meals to notice. Only Leopold, sitting next to her, noticed her distress.
However, he didn’t probe further and instead, served her a piece of lobster.
“Your favorite, lobster thermidor. Give it a taste, will you?” he suggested.
Aurelia gulped down her rising fear, her heart pounding in her chest. She picked up the piece of lobster and popped it into her mouth, “It's... delicious.” She lifted her eyes, scanning the crowd once more, her gaze falling onto the rocks again.
The woman had vanished, as if she were a ghost, or perhaps, she was never there to begin with. Aurelia exhaled a sigh of relief, hoping it was nothing more than a figment of her imagination.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmAfter dinner, everyone gathered on the beach to watch the fireworks.
After a while, a sharp sound echoed from the sea, followed by a burst of bright red light that shot up into the sky, spreading out into golden threads that cascaded downwards. Then, countless silver streaks rocketed into the sky, blooming into massive, vibrant 12 flower—like patterns. The children clapped excitedly.
“It's so beautifull: “I love watching fireworks.” Aurella, too, was fond of fireworks. During her childhood, New Year's Eve was a time of merriment and celebration with fireworks.
As her eyes flicked across the crowd, a flash of red caught her attention. A woman was watching her, her gaze unblinking and unnerving.
Suddenly, a loud explosion echoed from the sea as a massive firework lit up the sky. Aurelia jerked in surprise. Leopold, standing beside her, noticed her reaction and put an arm around her, his palm warm and comforting.
Taking a deep breath, Aurelia looked back into the crowd, but the woman was gone, as if she had disappeared into the earth. A cold gust of wind swept in, bringing with it a chilling, eerie feeling. Aurelia involuntarily moved closer to Leopold, who mistook her shivering for coldness and draped his jacket over her.
After the fireworks show, Aurelia returned to her hotel.
She first stopped by Arnold’s room to check on William, who was already sound asleep in his father’s arms.