Percival, Jasper, and Yuri sat together.
"Mr. Ellington, I hear your company's been keeping tabs on the Seaside Mining project?" Yuri inquired.
Percival did not intend to conceal anything. As he added a slice of strawberry cheesecake to his plate, he said, "Yes, I heard there's a top-notch mine out there, and it's piqued my interest."
Yuri eyed the slice of strawberry cheesecake, saying, "Someone will deliver the contract to you later. As for the details, your company can hash those out... So, Mr. Ellington, you're a fan of strawberry cheesecake?"
"It's Vivienne's favorite." Percival chuckled. "And thanks for the heads-up about the mine, Mr. Perez."
"No need for thanks. We've vetted many companies, and you're the only one with the capacity to take on such a big project."
The group settled back at the table, which was laden with an assortment of dishes.
"Young lady, you should eat up. Look how thin you are," Jasper kept passing dishes to Vivienne, worried she was not eating enough.
Vivienne, unfazed, replied, "I never shortchange my stomach."
"That's right, you can't let your stomach suffer. What you eat is all yours. Dig in."
"You eat too," Vivienne said with a smile, serving Jasper some food.
Yuri felt a pang at the tip of his nose; it had been years since he had seen his father smile so openly.
Zelda squeezed Yuri's hand under the table, a silent comfort.
They all knew that Vivienne's presence had reignited hope in Jasper.
Whether the hope was real or not, they were all genuinely grateful for her presence.
politely declined Jasper's offer to drive them home, choosing instead to walk
figures, his eyes
a mother by
his granddaughter, holding her close and protecting her
Zelda said, helping
keep looking. I have a feeling... There's something about Vivienne that reminds me of
the dim glow of street lamps and lost amid the hustle and bustle of traffic, Percival walked hand
really enjoyed dinner tonight," Vivienne suddenly said, her voice low and
a stray lock of
was happy,
onto the curb, arms spread wide,
long since she felt
time was more than a decade
mother's death, she had not
now, she
walked beside her, looking up into the
Hotel tournament played on a giant screen on the street,
it showed they were both in the audience, eyes glued
Runic Country or Helix Country?" Vivienne stopped
her, wrapping an arm around her waist, saying, "Runic Country. They're Kenneth's second
then I'll take on Helix Country.
Country once, beating a team they had
asked softly,
was as good as hers, so that was off the table, and she needed
that the loser has to clean the winner's team's training room for a
even if she lost, he would never actually let her clean the training room. "What?
tapped her nose, "Alright,
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