Chapter 135:
Jeffry’s expression softened with admiration. “That’s right. It’s this year’s harvest. Only a few tins were produced from hundreds of acres.”
This batch was particularly special. It came from a small plot at the highest point of the farm, always veiled in fog, where sunlight was scarce and the temperature stayed constant year-round. The coffee produced there was exceptionally unique—a true rarity.
Lydia watched the siblings savor their coffee, feeling slightly unsure of herself.
Jeffry turned to her. “You don’t like coffee?”
Lydia shook her head. “No, that’s not it.” She finished her cup in a single gulp.
While it was customary to drink alcohol quickly, coffee was meant to be enjoyed slowly.
Jeffry didn’t comment. He simply refilled her cup with a gentle, unhurried gesture.
Lydia had survived by living life on a razor’s edge and was naturally unaccustomed to the leisurely art of savoring coffee. Neither of the Harper siblings said a word about it.
The manager approached with menus in hand. Jeffry raised his chin slightly, signaling for the manager to give the menus to Elena and Lydia first. “Order whatever you like,” he said. “The food here is quite good.”
Elena didn’t hesitate, promptly ordering a few signature dishes. Lydia, in contrast, gravitated toward the spicier options.
After the waiter took their orders, Elena turned to Jeffry. “Why the sudden invitation to dinner?”
They had originally planned to head home together, but Jeffry had unexpectedly called, suggesting they have dinner at a restaurant instead. At the time, Lydia was with Elena, so she came along.
Jeffry lowered his eyelashes, concealing the anger smoldering within. Earlier that day, he had confronted Ruby. The audacity of her framing Elena had sealed her fate—she wouldn’t escape unscathed. Unable to withstand his threats, Ruby had confessed everything. It was then that Jeffry learned Elena had been deliberately targeted at work. Although Elena had resolved the issue herself, Jeffry’s fury knew no bounds. Consequently, Ruby found herself blacklisted industry-wide. From that moment on, not a single jewelry store in Klathe or throughout Houis would risk hiring her. A life of poverty awaited, the price for her misdeeds.
The Leopardex HR manager met a similar fate—immediate dismissal.
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Jeffry saw no need to burden Elena with these sordid details. Suppressing his anger, he looked up, his expression once again tranquil. Gently, he said, “You’re my sister. I don’t need a reason to treat you to dinner.”
Hearing this, a pang of envy shot through Lydia. The depth of Jeffry’s care for Elena was clear. Having no family of her own, Lydia had never known such familial love. Her adoptive father had never shown her an ounce of concern, treating her as nothing more than a killing machine for assignments. Once she was no longer useful, he…
He wouldn’t hesitate to eliminate her, just as he had done to others in the organization. Elena was the first and only friend Lydia had made since leaving that life behind.
As the dishes arrived, Lydia focused on the meal before her. Suddenly, a piece of deboned fish was placed on Lydia’s plate. Startled, she looked up.
Jeffry set down his spoon with a casual air. “The fish here is quite good,” he remarked.
