Chapter 281: Invitation

Chapter 281: Chapter 281: Invitation

Henry Sterling handed over a business card.

The card detailed an event. Vivian Lowell glanced down and saw it was a charity event organized by a group at Aethelburg University.

Next week was exam week at Aethelburg University. Once the weekend arrived and students had finished their tests, the university’s animal welfare organization was organizing a group hike.

The destination was Briarmont.

For everyone who participated, if they successfully reached the summit of Briarmont that day, the organization would donate a certain amount of cat food and cover the cost of neutering several cats. But it was okay even if you didn’t make it to the top.

Just reaching the halfway point would still trigger a cat food donation, though the amount would be much smaller.

Regardless, it was a charity event.

However...

Vivian Lowell took a closer look and noticed something else clearly printed on the card: the donor for the Aethelburg University animal welfare organization was Professor Sterling’s own research lab.

In other words, Henry Sterling had organized the event himself to help the stray animals at the university and had specifically invited Eleanor Rhodes.

’How cunning,’

Vivian Lowell blinked, recalling Mr. Drake’s previous actions.

Mr. Drake had also used some of his resources to find a "big patron" for the pet hospital. Faced with such a donation, Vivian and Eleanor had no reason to refuse.

This time was no different.

Even though Vivian was pregnant, Briarmont wasn’t very high, and the trail wasn’t difficult. She could easily manage to reach the halfway point within her capabilities.

As for Eleanor, it would be even easier.

"..."

Sure enough, Eleanor fell silent as she looked at the card. She shot Henry a slightly resentful glance, clearly seeing through his intentions.

She asked, "You’ll be there that day too, won’t you?"

Henry nodded. "Yes, I will. I care a great deal about small animals and want to do my part, you know?"

Eleanor was noncommittal. After a moment’s hesitation, she accepted the card. "Alright, I understand. I’ll be there. It’s getting late. I should take the kittens back to the hospital."

"Okay, goodbye."

Henry said gently. When he spoke the word "goodbye," his tone grew even softer, carrying a different weight.

Vivian could tell that Henry was actually looking forward to their next "goodbye"—or rather, their next meeting.

Eleanor picked up on it too. After a flicker of awkwardness crossed her face, she said to Henry, "Right. Goodbye."

Eleanor understood.

This whole thing was Henry’s plan. She had to participate for the kittens’ sake, so seeing him again was inevitable.

’I’m not looking forward to anything,’ she thought. ’I’m just acknowledging a certainty. That’s all.’

After leaving Aethelburg University, Eleanor drove back to the pet hospital with Vivian.

It was already past four o’clock. Once the kittens were settled, they could go to a nearby mall for some Korean BBQ. Both of them were really looking forward to it!

As Eleanor parked in front of the pet hospital, she remembered something and asked, "Vivian, are you sure you’ll be okay hiking? Won’t it be too much for you?"

Vivian shook her head. "It’s fine. I’ve been to Briarmont many times, so it should be okay. I’ll ask Julian about it later, too."

"He’s been so busy lately; it’s about time he got out for some exercise. If he comes with me, we can secure more donations, right? And he can look after me, too."

Hearing that Julian would be coming along, Eleanor felt much more at ease. Then, a thought struck her. "You’re right. In that case, I’ll ask my parents to come, too!"

"They’ve also been buried in work and haven’t gotten much exercise. It’s time they got out for a walk. If there’s a big group of us, then Henry..."

’It won’t be so easy for him to get any time alone with me, will it?’

At this thought, Eleanor suddenly felt a great sense of relief.

’This is a great plan!’

「Half an hour later」

In a nearby Korean BBQ restaurant, Vivian ordered a wagyu platter, adding a side of vegetables and takoyaki. She gazed at the table laden with meat, completely content.

’Mmm, beef is my absolute favorite,’ she thought.

"Excuse me, could you help us with the grill? Let’s start with the lean meat and the beef tongue! And later, please make sure to cook the pork belly until it’s crispy so it’s not too greasy. Oh, and please cut it into smaller pieces for us!"

Eleanor listed their requests.

The server politely complied, and the whole meal was a very pleasant experience.

The meal lasted for over an hour.

By the time the two of them left the restaurant, it was already past six. The mall was packed, with long lines of people outside practically every eatery.

"Business is booming."

Eleanor couldn’t help but remark. Gazing at a hot pot restaurant that already had a queue of over twenty tables, she said, "I’ve heard the hot pot place here is really good!"

"Just smelling the hot pot base from the entrance, you can tell it’s authentic! Huh? It also says here that their beef and tripe are flown in daily from Cressida?"

"Is the beef and tripe from Cressida really that much better than what you can get in Aethelburg? That’s so weird! They fly that in, too!"

Vivian directed a soul-searching question at the promotional sign outside the hot pot restaurant.

...

Vivian was wondering the same thing.

’If it were a hand-stirred hot pot base made by an old master chef being flown in, she could understand. But for ingredients like beef and tripe, was it really necessary?’

’There should be plenty of good suppliers around Aethelburg.’

"I don’t get it either."

Vivian shook her head.

Eleanor nodded. "Hmm... but with business this good, they must be doing something right. Vivian, you know, I’m starting to think we should have gone into the restaurant business together."

"The restaurant business is so profitable! We’d definitely make way more money than we do with the pet hospital!"

"Well..."

Vivian looked around at the endless stream of people in the mall. "I wouldn’t be so sure about that. From what I know, a lot of the restaurants on the fifth floor of this mall have been replaced within the last year."

"For a lot of chain restaurants, the franchise fees, renovation costs, and rent are all incredibly expensive. If the business doesn’t take off, the losses are huge. Running a restaurant isn’t as easy as it looks."

Eleanor realized she had a point.

’The restaurant industry is exhausting,’ she mused. ’Plus, you have so many employees to manage. You can’t just assume things will work out; you’d have to do a lot more on-the-ground research!’

The two of them continued to chat as they strolled, browsing the dazzling array of shops in the mall and watching the people passing by. The casual conversation was a nice way to relax and de-stress.

Vivian loved window shopping at the mall.

Even if she didn’t buy anything, just wandering around and looking at the shops was fun. She’d think about whether a particular store suited her tastes, or if she might want to come back to eat at a certain restaurant next time.

It also served as a nice walk to help digest their big meal.

As they walked and chatted, Vivian’s phone rang.

Vivian pulled out her phone and saw Julian Faulkner’s name on the screen. He was calling her.

Speaking of which...

Before dinner, Vivian had asked Julian on WhatsApp if he was free to go hiking next week, but she had forgotten to check for a reply after they started eating.

"Hello?"

Vivian answered the call.

Julian’s gentle voice soon came through from the other end. He seemed to hear the noise in Vivian’s background and asked, "Are you still at the mall?"

"Which one? The one near the pet hospital? You’ve eaten already, right? I just finished a meeting, so I’m coming to pick you up now."

Julian’s tone wasn’t one of discussion.

As a classic overbearing CEO, Julian’s line of thought was crystal clear: he was done with work, so he was going to pick up his wife and take her home!

It didn’t matter if his wife wasn’t happy about it.

She was his wife. This was his responsibility and duty—something he simply had to do!

"Yes."

Vivian had no choice but to agree. After a few perfunctory words with Julian, she hung up and frantically grabbed Eleanor’s arm. "Julian is coming to get me! What do I do?"

Eleanor froze for a second.

’Huh? Why is Vivian so nervous about a "good thing" like Julian coming to pick her up?’

’Shouldn’t most women be happy if their husband comes to pick them up after a day out with their best friend?’

Then, it dawned on Eleanor.

’Oh, right.’

They had snuck out for Korean BBQ today behind Julian’s back. Ever since Vivian got pregnant, Julian had been treating her like a fragile porcelain doll!

He worried she’d get tired if she walked a few extra steps and didn’t really let her eat "unhealthy" things. And Korean BBQ...

...spicy, stimulating, and rather greasy, was definitely classified as "unhealthy."

Even though they were finished eating, Korean BBQ was one of those things with a distinct, lingering smell. Someone as perceptive as Julian would notice it instantly.

"Well..."

Eleanor thought for a moment, then pointed to a nearby perfume shop. "How about we go in and you spray on some perfume? You don’t actually have to buy any."

"Just test a fragrance and spray a little on to cover up the smell. That should do the trick."

Vivian fell silent.

’The method sounds... plausible, I guess.’

’But I’m pregnant. I can’t be sure if it’s safe for me to use this perfume.’

"Oh, come on, there’s no time to hesitate."

But Eleanor was decisive. She grabbed Vivian’s arm and said, "We can just ask the sales associate if it’s safe to use! If Julian finds out you ate Korean BBQ, he’ll definitely be angry!"

"Ugh, when that guy gets that cold look on his face, he terrifies me. It’s better not to make him angry!"

Vivian figured she was right and had no choice but to agree.

「A few minutes later」

Vivian walked out of the perfume shop carrying a small gift box, a faint, refreshing woody scent clinging to her.

It was a scent she liked, with hints of floral tea that were soothing to the soul.

"Mmm~ Now I can’t smell it anymore."

Eleanor leaned in and sniffed around Vivian carefully. Once she confirmed that the smell of barbecue was gone, the two of them left the mall together.

By then, Julian was already waiting for them in the pickup area outside.

"Well, Vivian, you go on ahead. I’ll just go to the parking garage and drive myself home."

The two friends said their goodbyes by the car door. Vivian nodded, opened the door, and got in.