?Chapter 1692:


    Elva blushed deeply at this.


    Harlee’s eyes twinkled with amusement.


    When Fleming returned with the fruit, he found Harlee and Elva huddled together, whispering. Their faces held odd expressions. Fleming worried Harlee might influence Elva against marrying him.


    “I have other matters to attend to,” Harlee said, catching Fleming’s anxious nce. She stood and wagged her finger at them.


    “Have fun.”


    Harlee then left the living room, indifferent to their reactions. If she was right, N’spliance was due to Errol’s wishes, driven solely by her ambition to be the acting head of the Happer family.


    Davenport represented Harlee’s best opportunity at the moment.


    However, unsure of how Davenport might react, Harlee decided against a confrontation or negotiation. She believed that to handle someone like him, all she needed to do was instill a sufficient sense of urgency, and everything else would fall into ce.


    Night fell.


    At the seaside vi, the sight of Aldrich, Alina, Robbie, and Cillian seated together on the sofa exuded harmony, as if they naturally belonged in pairs. Patrick and Serena were engrossed in their respective tasksunching the new Uwhorpany and conducting breakthrough drug research. Their busy schedules left them no time for leisure or conversation.


    Robbie was dumbfounded. He and Alina had returned first and settled on the sofa to watch TV.


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    But Aldrich had nonchntly nudged Robbie aside with his hip, forcing Robbie to join Cillian. A noticeable gap remained between Robbie and Aldrich. Just as Robbie considered shifting his seat, Harlee returned from her work outside.


    The four immediately stood to wee her. With a slight nod and a nce at the makeshift pairs, Harlee smiled subtly.


    “You two pairs seem well-matched.”


    As she finished, Rhys appeared from the kitchen with a freshly prepared dish. His expression lightened upon seeing Harlee.


    “You’re back?”


    Rhys set down the te and approached Harlee, a yful smile on his lips.


    “Didn’t you mention wanting to try this dish this morning? Come and have some.”


    Harlee had mentioned it offhandedly as Rhys left this morning, and he had taken it upon himself to prepare it tonight.


    Harlee slowly walked to the dining table and smirked. Was he still using the approach of food temptation?


    Rhys pulled out a chair for her and served her a portion.


    Seating herself gracefully at the table Rhys had prepared, Harlee smiled, her features serene andposed. She raised her eyebrows, said nothing, and took a bite of the dish, appearingpletely at ease.


    Rhys seemed determined to charm Harlee with his culinary skills.


    Noticing her reaction, Rhys’ eyes sparkled. He smiled warmly, his gaze filled with affection.


    On the sofa, Alina rested her chin in her hand, watching them enviously.


    “Does Rhys only smile for Harlee? He was so stern when I went in to get some fruits earlier. But look at him now—all smiles. Who knew?”


    Aldrich remained quiet for a moment and then tilted his head toward Alina, a charming smile curving his lips.


    “I can smile too.”


    Caught off guard by his gaze, Alina blinked, then smiled wryly and turned back to the dining area. She shrugged nonchntly.


    “Well, Rhys’ smile shines brighter than yours.”


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