Chapter 759

Chapter 759:

Cristian, silent for the most part, was seated next to Fernanda, diligently filling her plate with various delicacies from the pot.

“Why isn’t anyone touching their food? And seriously, what’s with the staring?” Fernanda inquired with a light, playful smile, attempting to ease the tension.

At her prompt, they all returned their attention to their bowls, savoring the food that simmered before them.

Cristian glanced towards Clement, who was positioned on Fernanda’s other side, and offered a warm smile. “Something on your mind?” he asked gently.

Clement clenched his jaw and remained silent, spearing a meatball and biting into it with unnecessary force. The hot juice burst forth, scalding his mouth painfully, causing him to nearly drop his bowl. A bitter taste lingered in his mouth, reflecting his sour mood. As he brooded over the shift in dynamics, it was clear to him that Fernanda’s affections had drifted.

Gone were the days when she would fuss over him at meals, always serving him the choicest bits first. In their newfound closeness, it seemed Cristian and Fernanda were now a world unto themselves. Clement watched, a forgotten spectator, as they shared tender bites and murmured affectionate words to each other—his presence rendered invisible.

His heart sank deeper with each passing moment, jealousy gnawing at him as he perceived Cristian as the thief of Fernanda’s focus. Lost in these brooding thoughts, he hardly noticed when several slices of beef landed gently in his bowl.

Looking up, Clement was met with Fernanda’s comforting smile. She advised with a gentle tone, “You know you’re allergic to lamb. Be careful to avoid it; it would ruin your evening if you didn’t.”

With a subdued “okay,” Clement acknowledged her care. A wave of reassurance washed over him; she hadn’t forgotten him after all.

Meanwhile, Neal managed only a weak smile, still reeling from the previous night’s events. His spirits were low. Though everyone around him was buoyed by good cheer, he felt compelled to mask his discomfort and feign participation, not wishing to dampen the festive atmosphere. The hangover lingering in his system only exacerbated his sense of unease, leaving him queasy and disinterested in the meal.

Clement had bought porridge earlier and offered it to Neal, considering how terrible he looked. The whites of Neal’s eyes were tinged red, betraying his exhaustion. He caught Clement’s gaze and managed a weak smile. “Thanks,” he murmured appreciatively.

𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 @ g⍶𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀⧽𝖼𝗈𝗆

Silently, Clement responded with a gentle pat on Neal’s shoulder, his actions speaking louder than words.

“Clement really goes out of his way for others, doesn’t he?” Levi remarked, observing the scene. “He’s such a thoughtful guy. He won’t have any issues finding a girlfriend.”

Clement’s face remained stoic. “Levi, you’ve been on your own so long you bring up girlfriends no matter what we’re talking about,” he retorted dryly.

Alex let out a soft chuckle and gave Clement an approving thumbs up. “Well said.”

“Fuck off!” Levi shot back, playfully smacking Alex on the arm. “It’s not like I’m struggling to find someone. I mean, look at me—handsome and talented. I could get a girlfriend anytime I want!”

“Sure,” Alex agreed, his voice dripping with mock sincerity as he nodded. “That must be why you’ve been single your whole life—just haven’t wanted one, right?”

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