Chapter 374
Chapter 374:
“Aiden? What are you doing here?” she exclaimed.
Aiden acknowledged Glenn with a nod before addressing Janice.
“Glenn said he was cooking today and invited me to sample his cuisine, so I decided to drop in. I wasn’t expecting to see you here as well,” he said, his words pointedly for Janice.
Leah, however, was quick to intercept. She stepped in front of Janice with her arms crossed. “Is this some kind of game to you?”
“What do you mean?” Aiden’s voice remained even, unaffected by Leah’s clear irritation. He appeared completely unbothered.
“Do the rest of us just disappear when you talk to Glenn and Janice?”
“My apologies. That was inconsiderate of me.”
Leah was taken aback by Aiden’s sudden apology, momentarily lost for words.
“Hello, everyone. I’m Aiden Green.” Aiden turned to address the others, nodding at Prescott, Costello, and Leah.
“Leah, let’s be nice,” Glenn interjected, trying to ease the growing tension. “After all, he is our guest.”
Unable to argue against Glenn, Leah gave Aiden a stern look before sitting next to Janice.
Aiden kept his courteous smile and turned to Prescott.
“Would you mind trading seats with me?”
“Excuse me?” Prescott responded, visibly surprised.
He was aware of Aiden’s tough reputation, a man of few words and direct actions. Seeing Aiden’s courteous behavior now left him somewhat confused.
“Thank you,” Aiden said, assuming agreement.
“Wait! I didn’t—”
Before Prescott could fully articulate his objection, Aiden had moved him aside and taken his place.
Just as Leah was about to protest, Glenn gave her a firm look.
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“All right, everyone, let’s sit down. It’s rare for us all to gather like this. Let’s raise a glass to good company.”
Leah pouted. Who asked for Aiden’s company anyway?
But before she could voice her displeasure, Janice subtly shook her head. This dinner was Glenn’s arrangement, and he must have had his reasons for inviting Aiden. She preferred not to disrupt his plans.
Respecting Janice’s judgment, Leah reluctantly held back her annoyance.
Costello remained typically indifferent. Without any directive from Janice, he stayed silent, his demeanor as stoic as a sculpture.
Meanwhile, Prescott quietly readjusted his glasses and took a seat next to Costello.
After the drinks were served and toasts made, the mood around the table began to relax.
“So, Aiden, why are you here?” Janice glanced at Aiden with curiosity in her eyes.
Aiden returned her look confidently, a slight smile appearing on his face. “I might ask you the same. You left in such a hurry, without a proper goodbye.”
Janice was momentarily taken aback by his comment. “I’ve already said our farewells. There was nothing more to say.”
“A goodbye doesn’t have to mean it’s forever, right?” His remark lingered, leaving Janice momentarily at a loss for words.
“Aiden, what are you trying to achieve?” she asked. However, Aiden turned his attention to Glenn instead of answering. “May I have a private word with Janice? Would it be alright if we stepped outside for a moment?”
The request surprised everyone. They all expected Glenn to decline, but he looked at Janice and then nodded. “Go ahead. It seems you two need to discuss something.”
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