However, the temperature under the umbrella suddenly rose, and the air became hot and humid.

“How about this,” Abel proposed, “I will cover the living expenses in the future. I can’t possibly eat at your place for free.”

Emmeline shook her head and said, “Don’t worry about it. It’s not much money anyway.”

Abel remarked, “Your skills are better than the Ryker family’s chef, who makes sixteen thousand dollars a month. I’m lucky to have found such a good cook, so I’ll pay you twenty thousand dollars.”

Huh?

Emmeline was a little taken aback.

Is Abel for real?

Did he really believe she was that poor?

“I’ll send you this month’s money first. It is yours to spend.” Abel said this while pulling out his phone and transferring twenty thousand dollars to Emmeline.

He put the phone in his trouser pocket and said to Emmeline, “This way, I won’t lose my self-esteem when I go back to eat.”

“All right then,” Emmeline said as she smiled and pressed the accept button.

“In addition, I will encourage my employees to patronize your café, as your café provides excellent service.”

Ah!

Emmeline’s eyes widened at that.

Mr. Ryker, this is entirely unnecessary! Mr. Ryker! If business is good, I’ll be too busy to do anything else!

I still have to do medical research and return to Adelmar on occasion. The café’s business cannot be too successful!

“You go back first,” Abel said, seeing Emmeline in a daze, “I’ll go over and eat later this evening. I’d make sure to return and eat since I’ve already paid for the meals”.

Emmeline remained in a daze. Abel continued, “The meal does not have to be complicated. Four dishes and one soup will suffice.”

“Oh!” Emmeline finally returned to reality, nodded, and repeated, “Four dishes and one soup.”

“Yes.” Abel smiled and turned to leave.

“Mr. Abel,” called a woman’s voice from behind.

Everyone turned to face the source of the voice, which turned out to be Alana.

When Alana saw Emmeline, her face turned cold, and she asked, “Why are you here?”

“I’m here to give Mr. Ryker something.” Emmeline indicated the package that Abel was holding.

“A suit?” Alana exclaimed, surprised. “Do you already know about the banquet, Mr. Abel?”

“A banquet?” Abel furrowed his brow. “What banquet?”

“Auntie Julianna is holding a big banquet to celebrate the return of her three grandchildren, and I’m here to give you your outfit,” Alana explained. “Try it out to see if it fits.”

Everyone’s attention was drawn to the gift box Alana was holding.

“It’s Beltramian haute couture. It’s the newest fashion style this year and costs more than two hundred thousand dollars!”

“But I already have it,” Abel pointed out, flashing the package in his hand. “This suit is quite nice.”

“This…” Alana regarded the garishly wrapped package with a sneer. “Doesn’t this look cheap? Mr. Abel, are you capable of donning such attire?”

“How come I can’t wear it?” Abel stated, “The Ryker family’s forefathers were wharf laborers who carried sacks. We aren’t special in any way.”

“But…” Alana’s face turned pale. Did Abel just turn down the haute couture suit she was holding?

“Please return the suit. Two hundred thousand dollars is excessive. It’s only a suit.” Abel turned and walked toward the building after he finished speaking.

“Mr. Abel.” Alana wanted to follow him, but she was stopped by a security guard holding a large umbrella.

“Two thousand dollars for a suit. It’s really quite a waste of money,” Emmeline said, clicking her tongue.

“What do you know!” Alana muttered angrily, “Is it possible for the banquet at Meriwether Mansion to fall short of the one at Levan Mansion? Julianna also wants to brag about the three grandchildren you gave her. Rosaline, of course, refuses to fall behind!”

“So I’m the cause of all this fuss?” Emmeline murmured to herself. She would have stopped the triplets from investigating if she had known.

“You just wait,” Alana said to Emmeline, glancing at her shabby appearance. You will undoubtedly disgrace the entire family at the banquet!”

She hummed arrogantly and sashayed toward her sports car.

Emmeline donned her helmet and rode away from the sports car on her electric bicycle.

Alana was filled with resentment and hatred after witnessing the woman’s carefree demeanor as she rode away on her electric bicycle.

Adrien arrived at the café not long after Emmeline did.