Chapter 382

Grant's lips curled into a wicked grin, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Hellfire, time for you to head back."

Oliver simply nodded, not lingering any longer before he and his crew retreated.

...

When Josefina returned, Grant had already prepared dinner, and the two of them sat down to eat with Hayden.

"Rosa, with you back, my taste buds are in for a treat. When you're not around, Grant doesn't bother making his signature dish, coconut chicken. You have no idea how much I've been craving it." Hayden deftly picked up a drumstick with his fork and passed it to Josefina.

Grant shrugged, "I've been swamped. Got no time to cook."

Hayden didn't expose Grant. Instead, he simply watched Grant with an amused smile.

Josefina offered Hayden another drumstick. "Please, have a little more. When Grant has the time, he'll cook it for you again."

Hayden didn't hesitate, sinking his teeth into the drumstick. Josefina too indulged in the chicken, their satisfied expressions a silent nod to Grant's culinary skills.

Freshly caught seafood - kingfish, crab, giant squid, abalone - made its way onto the table, all of them steamed to perfection and accompanied by Grant's honey- infused dipping sauce. Josefina savored every bite.

Grant ate sparingly, his attention mostly on watching Josefina enjoy the meal. Her love for food was the reason he found the drive to hone his cooking skills. It was all for Josefina.

After they finished their meal, Josefina mentioned her plans. "I have to leave tomorrow afternoon. Westwood is swamped, the company is just taking off, and I need to keep a close eye on things."

Her announcement cast a shadow over the previously cheerful faces of Hayden and Grant.

"Rosa," Hayden protested, "you've barely been back for two days, and now you're leaving so soon? It's summer break, and once school starts, you'll have even less time to visit me."

Grant chimed in, "Can't you leave a couple of days later? You wanted to join us on a sea outing, didn't you? Let's go together, what do you say?"

Grant's voice carried a plea, his gaze burning with hope.

Josefina felt the pang of leaving too but still declined. "I really have urgent matters to address. Once the company settles into a rhythm i come back and stay for a while before school starts."

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Grant didn't want to pressure her further, yet he couldn't help but persist, "Can't

you stay just one more day?"

Josefina, too, had been away for a

long while, missing this place dearly. Looking at the two men's earnest eyes. Josefina nodded with smile, "Alright, I'll stay one more day. And if you guys want to visit Westwood, you're welcome to come with me. Life on land has its charms, too." s

Grant nodded, wordlessly expressing his agreement. In fact, he was already planning to carve out time to visit Westwood, curious to see the world in which Rosa lived.

"Then it's settled. Rosa, when I come to Westwood, you'd better make time for me," Grant said, raising his glass with a smirk.

Josefina lifted her glass of fruit wine, nodding with a smile, "It's a deal."

Hayden joined in, and the three of them toasted to the moment.

After dinner, Josefina dove headfirst into the lab, determined to finish the remaining nutrient solutions. That way she could truly enjoy one

day before heading back.

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Three hours later, exhausted from her labors, Josefina received a video call from

Oliver. She found a quiet spot and settled into a chair before answering.

Oliver scanned the unfamiliar background, "Josie, where are you?"

"I'm in the lab. What about you, still abroad?"

"I'll be back tomorrow," Oliver replied. "Josie, the first person I want to see when I return is you." ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ Find1Novel.net