After Maxwell Peary had finished speaking, he casually leaned against the door frame with his arms crossed, tilting his noble head high, his expression clearly anticipating appeasement.
"Then let’s go out to eat. My treat... ahem, you’re paying."
Nia Mitchell’s smile, which she had worked so hard to muster, froze again. The chance of her actually picking up the tab seemed impossibly remote.
Maxwell still leaned against the door frame, his expression unchanged, saying nothing.
Nia bit her lip and muttered, "Miser."
As expected, rich people are all so stingy, total tightwads.
Maxwell Peary narrowed his eyes dangerously, and the atmosphere in the kitchen changed instantly. Nia felt a chill creep over her.
The man exuding coldness adjusted his stance and then... walked towards her.
His deep voice echoed in her ears, his warm breath making her heart flutter. Nia stood rooted to the spot, swallowing hard.
"Uncle Peary, you heard wrong," she quickly explained, holding her breath as she waited.
"Oh? So you’re saying not only am I a miser, but I’m hard of hearing too?"
Uncle Peary, please spare me!!!
"I didn’t." She wanted to cry but had no tears. Uncle Peary, even a fool could hear the blatant threat in your words!
"Hmm?" His tone rose, causing Nia’s little heart to tremble.
"I was wrong! I am the miser. But now I’m penniless, with no wealth to hoard."
Ahem. That last sentence was purely for effect. If I didn’t sound self-deprecating, Uncle Peary would probably keep harping on the previous issue.
Indeed, upon hearing her words, Maxwell stepped back a couple of paces, no longer pressuring her. The temperature around them also eased considerably.
"Are you crying poor to me?"
Maxwell bent down, moving closer to her, his nostrils filling with her sweet, feminine scent.
Hmm, it seems I’m about to start supporting a family.
Having someone at home to provide for... this feeling is pretty damn good.
Reaching for his wallet, Maxwell pulled out a black card and handed it to Nia.
"Take this card to supplement household expenses. I’ll get you a supplementary card in a couple of days."
Nia stared with wide eyes, as if trying to bore a hole through the black card with her gaze.
She hadn’t asked him for money. If she was broke, she could earn it herself. Taking someone else’s money just felt too... weird.
Seeing Nia standing there, motionless, Maxwell furrowed his brow impatiently.
He quickly stuffed the card into Nia’s hand and swiftly withdrew his own, as if afraid the card might return with his hand.
"Then I’ll treat Uncle Peary to a feast!"
Nia waved the black card in her hand, her expression clearly saying, "I’m rich now!"
This little display, Maxwell had to admit, genuinely pleased him. He chuckled softly, reaching out to ruffle Rabina Mitchell’s hair.
"Treating me to a feast? I don’t just dine with anyone, you know."
Hmph. The line of people wanting to treat me, Maxwell Peary, to a meal probably stretches for miles.
So, Uncle Peary, are you just messing with me?
Can we even get a decent meal anymore?
"Then... should I go out and get takeout for lunch?" she asked tentatively. That should be a good idea, right?
But why did the man’s face in front of me... ahem, get even darker?
"Then what do you want?" Nia finally blurted out, then leaned against the door frame with a THUD. "This guy is so high maintenance!"
Throwing a tantrum and trying to back out now? Maxwell’s lips curved into a smile. So cute.
"If you’re willing to kiss me, I’ll provide you with Tomato and Egg Noodles for life, and we can dine out anytime, no reservations needed."