?Chapter 3031:


    Savannah had offered to help, but Elissa had politely declined, saying she could handle it herself.


    Even so, a faint crease formed between her brows.


    The tter that once held the blue lobsters now sat empty.


    Noticing her disappointment, Ernest made his way over and stopped beside her. A quiet smile softened his eyes as he watched her.


    “Elissa.”


    “Who?”


    At the sound of her name, Elissa lifted her head. Her eyes widened a little when she saw Ernest standing there.


    Her lips tightened, and she said nothing.


    “The blue lobsters ran out, but the staff will bring more soon,” he said gently, extending his te toward her. A single lobster rested neatly on it.


    “You’ll need to wait a little while, though. Here, take mine first.”


    He reached for the tongs, about to move the lobster onto her te.


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    But before he could—


    “No!” Elissa tightened her grip on the te and took a step back, a frown pulling at her face.


    “Elissa?”


    Ernest blinked, startled. Was she turning him down?


    He hurried to exin. “I didn’t touch it, I swear.”


    “I said no!” Elissa snapped, puffing her cheeks in frustration. “No, no!”


    Ernest froze, unsure how to react.


    By then, the people nearby had begun to notice, their curious nces shifting toward the two of them.


    “What’s going on?”


    Savannah and Neville, having caught themotion, hurried toward them.


    “It’s you again!”


    The sight of Ernest made Savannah tense instantly. She moved in front of Elissa, shielding her from him. “Are you bothering my daughter again?”


    “Mrs. Brown,” Ernest sighed softly, trying to exin. “I was only offering her something to eat.”


    “We want nothing from you!”


    Savannah turned to her daughter. “Elissa, are you all right? He didn’t bother you, did he?”


    Elissa’s lower lip jutted forward as she red at Ernest. “I don’t like you! I don’t want anything from you!”


    Her anger gave strength to her words, and she spoke more clearly than usual, her sentences flowing with rare fluency.


    “Elissa?” Ernest’s eyes flickered with confusion.


    “Did you hear her clearly?” Savannah scoffed, her voiceced with contempt. “Take your things and stay away from us!”


    Ernest hesitated, the unwillingness clear in his eyes. He looked at Elissa, waiting for a word, a nce—anything.


    But she said nothing.


    She didn’t even look his way.


    Ernest sighed again and slowly walked off, his eyes never leaving her.


    “Let’s go!” Savannah said gently, cing a hand on Elissa’s shoulder. “Don’t be scared.”


    She had probably read too much into things earlier.


    How could Elissa possibly be upset because of Ernest? After all, she had made it clear she didn’t like him.


    But beside her, Neville frowned slightly. “Didn’t you notice? Elissa talks differently whenever Ernest is around.”


    “Really?”


    Savannah froze, the realization dawning on her a moment toote.


    He was right. That was how it seemed.


    What could it mean?


    Ernest hadn’t gone far. He lingered at a distance, his gaze fixed on Elissa.


    This time, a ss had reced the te in his hand.


    Did she truly dislike him that much? Was it still because of Robin?


    Humph!


    Ernest took a long sip, the burn of whiskey doing nothing to ease the frustration twisting in his chest.


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