The image of the man's defined muscle lines and his sexy Adam's apple surfaced in her mind. Even having seen all sorts of incredibly handsome men, Janelle had to admit, this man's physical attributes were absolutely heaven-sent.
"Janelle, you're twenty now. It's time you tried some meat," Sara said with a thoroughly mischievous grin. "If it's him, it wouldn't be a loss."
The two best friends were whispering. Erik didn't interrupt, showing perfect tact. He signaled the manager to start serving the dishes. The manager had arranged all famous dishes of Graham City.
Seeing such a table full of delicacies, Sara couldn't help but swallow hard. "Eat first," Janelle said, handing her the chopsticks. Sara was a foodie and had zero resistance to good food. She took the chopsticks, smiling, "Mr. Lorenz, where are you from?" She was intensely curious about Erik.
"From the Imperial Capital."
"The Imperial Capital?!" Sara wasn't very pleased with this. Janelle would likely be developing her career in Graham City long-term. Wouldn't that mean a long-distance relationship?
Janelle, seeing her friend zoning out, placed a piece of braised pork rib on her plate. "Eat. Stop daydreaming." Sara didn't press further. The restaurant's dishes were naturally top-tier cuisine, and Sara loved them. Janelle, however, ate comparatively little.
During a lull when Sara went to the restroom, Erik poured Janelle another glass of red wine. "Does the food not suit your taste? I noticed you haven't eaten much." Janelle took the wine glass and took a small sip. "Not hungry." The man had excellent taste; this bottle of red wine had an exceptionally pure flavor. "Have a little more," he urged. She was too thin. A young girl like her, only twenty, trying to survive in the borderlands must have been incredibly tough. Erik used serving chopsticks to place more food on her plate – dishes she had taken a second bite of, unlike some she hadn't touched at all. Janelle didn't touch the food he added. Erik frowned. She really was eating far too little.
When Sara returned from the restroom and saw Janelle steadily drinking wine, she frowned. "Janelle, your stomach isn't good. Drink less."
"It's fine." There had been a time when irregular meals had given her severe stomach problems, but she was fine now. Hearing Sara's words, Erik stopped pouring her more wine.
After dinner, Erik stood up and opened the private room door for the two young women. As they stepped out, they ran into Nelson and Lillie.
Lillie's face instantly darkened upon seeing Janelle. In the next moment, she hooked her arm possessively through Nelson's. Nelson's gaze also landed on Janelle. The twenty-year-old girl wore no makeup, yet her face was still breathtakingly beautiful. Whenever Janelle appeared, Nelson's eyes were invariably drawn to her. However, after weighing the pros and cons, he had chosen Lillie. Only Lillie was suitable for him.
"Holy crap, must've forgotten to check the almanac today. How do we run into these two pieces of trash right out the gate?" Sara spared no courtesy for Nelson and Lillie.
"Sara, we're all classmates. Why do you have to talk like that?" Lillie suppressed her fury. She couldn't openly confront Janelle; otherwise, she'd be the one to suffer. Once she got into the M Institute, Janelle wouldn't dare touch her.
"Who the hell are you calling classmate? Stay away from me. I find you disgusting, you shameless bitch!" Sara knew exactly what kind of creature Lillie was, even if others didn't. "You—" Lillie took a deep breath. She was itching to rip Sara's hair out right then. But in front of Nelson, she had to maintain her ladylike image. She couldn't do anything. The feeling was agonizing, like a hundred claws scratching at her heart.
"Janelle, did you come here deliberately to wait for me?" Nelson hadn't paid attention to Sara and Lillie's exchange; his burning gaze was fixed solely on Janelle.
"..." Janelle was speechless. What on earth gave Nelson such confidence?
"Nelson..." Lillie tightened her grip on his arm. She was his fiancée. How could his eyes keep straying to that bitch Janelle? "Janelle, if you'd just behave obediently, I could speak to your father about letting you stay in Graham City," Nelson offered. "Life on the border must be hard, right? Just beg me, and I'll help you." He intended to marry Lillie, but if Janelle was still willing to be with him, he could give her that chance.
"Nelson!" Lillie couldn't believe her ears. How could he help Janelle?
"Don't worry, I'll marry you. Nothing will change that," Nelson assured her dismissively. A man having a few women on the side was perfectly normal, wasn't it?
Janelle couldn't help but laugh out loud. This Nelson... he was still as ridiculously self-important as ever.
Nelson frowned. "What are you laughing at? What kind of future could you possibly have with this man of unknown origins?" He had ordered someone to investigate the man earlier, but hadn't received any information back yet.
Erik raised an eyebrow. This Hills heir has no vision whatsoever. The Hills are finished. What kind of taste did this little girl have before? How could she have ever been interested in a man like this?
Janelle took step after deliberate step towards Nelson. So, she brought that man here just to get my attention, Nelson thought smugly. "Just admit you were wrong, and I'll have your mother brought back from the border. I'll find her the best sanatorium," Nelson continued, dangling temptations.
"Admit I was wrong? What exactly do you want me to admit to, Nelson? You're the one who can't let go, aren't you?" Janelle pierced his pretense with sharp accuracy.
"Janelle, what are you talking about? He loves me. How could he be hung up on you?" Lillie interjected, her insecurity flaring. She couldn't afford to lose face in front of Janelle. She wasn't the failure; Janelle was. "I know you've always been resentful, but Nelson and I are engaged. Could you please stop making trouble?"
"What are you so anxious about? Did I say anything?" Compared to Lillie's agitation, Janelle was utterly composed.
"Janelle, Nelson is only thinking of your welfare. Life on the border must be difficult. If you just go home and apologize to Dad, maybe he'll let you come back," Lillie suggested, invoking Westin.
"Let me come back? Do I need his permission to come back? What kind of a thing is he?" Janelle retorted, her gaze shifting back to Nelson. "Nelson, my affairs are none of your concern. You'd better focus on your own Hills business. Taking over the Hills wasn't just an empty threat." She doubted anyone at the Hills had taken her previous declaration seriously.
Nelson frowned. "Janelle, you need to let go of the past. Clinging to it like this will only destroy you in the end." Neither the Rovellas nor the Hills could be shaken by her. The consequences of such reckless stubbornness would be her own downfall. "If you persist in being so obstinate, you'll only suffer more."
"That's not your concern," came the calm voice of Erik, who had been waiting patiently nearby. He stepped forward and wrapped an arm possessively around Janelle's slender waist. "From now on, I'll support whatever she wants to do."