<b>Chapter </b><b>610 </b>


    Lity’s eyshes fluttered as she cast a nce over thevish dinner spread out on the table <b>before </b>her, then back to Mrs. Fairhaven with concern.


    Tonight was supposed to be a cozy gathering for the three of them, and Lily had been busy preparing since the afternoon. Although <b>Mrs. </b>Fairhaven wasn’t adept in the kitchen, she had pitched in, bustling around like a busy little top.


    But it was evident that Mr. Fairhaven was in <b>a </b>hurry and unlikely to stay for dinner.


    Lily wasn’t particrly bothered, but she feared Mrs. Fairhaven might feel let down.


    Jareth, aren’t you staying for dinner? Mari asked, her delicate eyebrows knitting together as her doe eyes blinked rapidly.


    Jareth, with an indulgent smile, couldn’t help but walk over to his petite wife, hisrge handnding on her <b>head </b><b>to </b><b>tousle </b>her <b>soft </b>hair, Tve got to take care of something tonight, darling, so I won’t be home for dinner.”


    “Can’t you make an exception just this once?”


    Mari lifted her lushshes, her tentative expression tugging at his heartstrings, “Lily has been working all day to prepare this meal, it’s her way of showing she cares, Jareth. Can’t you stay and eat before you go?”


    “Mrs. Fairhaven, it’s really okay for me!”


    Lily, flustered by Mari speaking up for her, blushed and shook her head vigorously, “Mr. Fairhaven, it’s just a simple meal, nothing to fuss over. Businesses first; I’ll go and get your car ready.”


    “How is it not a big deal! You’ve been at it for hours, and it’s exhausting!”


    Mari grabbed his hand, her palm mmy with nervousness, “Please stay and eat before you leave. Lily has put a lot of effort


    into this.”


    She genuinely liked Lily.


    Mari spent more time with Lily than she did with Jareth. There were many things she felt too shy to say to her husband but could share freely with Lily.


    Mari seldom asked Jareth for anything. Aside from the time she wanted to see her mother for thest time, this was the second request she could remember making.


    Lily swallowed hard, <b>“</b>Mrs. Fairhaven.”


    Jareth’s gaze froze for a moment before he nced at Lily.


    He then pulled out a chair, sat down beside Mari with a grin, and yanked her into the space between his legs. He wrapped his legs around her<b>, </b>trapping her as if she were a doll in a w machine.


    “Alright, I’ll stay and dine, just as you wish.”


    Not satisfied, he pinched her waist and settled her firmly on his thigh, his l*ps curving into a roguish smile as he affectionately nuzzled her cheek.


    “Lily, serve the food. And pile it on.”


    “Yes! Lily’s normally subdued face lit up with joy as Jareth chose to stay and dine with Mari.


    During the meal, the couple fed each other, making a sticky<b>, </b>sweet scene. Lily sat by, feeling like she was practically a third wheel. This meal was the most satisfying one she’d ever had.


    After they finished eating<b>, </b>Jareth took Mari’s hand, with Lily following behind them, and they stepped outside the vi.


    “Lily, take good care of her,” he wrapped his arm around Mari and nted a k*ss on her smooth forehead.


    “Come back early<b>,” </b><b>Mari’s </b>voice was soft and sweet.


    <b>“</b>My love, how can I leave <b>with </b>you being this adorable<b>?</b><b>” </b>


    Jareth’s hand roamed restlessly <b>to </b>her backside<b>, </b>giving it <b>a </b>yful <b>squeeze</b><b>, </b><b>“</b><b>Go </b><b>to </b>bed early, don’t stay <b>up</b><b>, </b>and <b>don’t </b>wait up <b>for </b>


    <ol>


    <li>me. </li>


    </ol>


    As they watched him leave<b>, </b>Mari’waited until <b>even </b><b>the </b>tail lights were out of sight before <b>turning </b>away.


    Lily approached her, “Mrs. Fairhaven.”


    “Yes? Mari turned to look <b>at </b><b>her</b><b>. </b>


    “Thank you for speaking up for me today<b>, </b><b>thank </b><b>you</b><b>,</b><b>” </b><b>Lily </b><b>was </b>overwhelmed with gratitude, her eyes <b>welling </b>up <b>with </b><b>tears</b>.


    <b>1/2 </b>


    <b>09.175 </b>


    She had been with Jareth since her girlhood, starting as a maid andter bing his secretary and b*dyguard. Trained rigorously, she was unfeeling and indifferent to everyone except her boss.


    Vet Mari’s arrival brought Lily a sense of family warmth and emotion she had never known before.


    She was the boss’s wife, and she cherished her like a beloved sister.


    “Lily, you work so hard, and I see it.” Mari’s warm hand grasped Lily’s calloused one, her eyes sparkling with empathy, “You always have Jareth’s best interests at heart, and he may not understand, but I do. Your efforts should be recognized, not taken for granted.”


    Lily was moved, only able to squeeze Mari’s hand in silent thanks.


    That evening, Barry’s mansion was abuzz with a rare family banquet, and he’d called together all the family members. No one dared to snub the patriarch’s invitation, even if there were simmering tensions, they all yed their parts in the charade.


    Jareth strode into the dining room where Barry, Gary and his wife, and Mrs. Fairhaven were already seated.


    “Sorry for beingte, Grandpa Barry,” Jareth said with a smile and a smooth, elegant bow as he took his seat.


    Mrs. Fairhaven hadn’t seen her son in a while and was visibly delighted by his apparently matured demeanor. Gone was the unruly demon of his youth, who would have arrived at a family dinner looking disheveled and nonchnt. Atst year’s party Barry threw, he ate amb leg like a barbarian, but now he carried himself with theposure and authority of a leader, much like his father.


    “Good to have everyone here.” Barry acknowledged with a nod, appearing pleased, “But next time, try to arrive a bit earlier, so the elders don’t have to wait. It’s not a job where you have to be on the dot.” –


    Jareth raised an eyebrow and chuckled, “Understood, Grandpa Barry. I’ll keep that in mind.”


    “Well, Jareth is the pir of the Fairhaven family now, a busy man indeed.” Gary remarked, his face a mask of forced joviality. Ever since his loss in the power struggle, his demeanor around Jareth had been tinged with envy, “As the soon–to–be CEO of the Fairhaven Group, his status is not what it used to be. Dad, don’t be too hard on Jareth. We may be his elders, but we’re not sticklers for punctuality. Once he takes the helm, I, as his uncle, will be looking to him for support and to add luster to our family name. You might not be in the loop, but a few days back, I was out rubbing elbows with some pals, and they were all itching to meet Jareth, dying to get a glimpse of the Fairhaven Group’s golden boy. s, time marches on, our heyday is nothing but history


    now.”


    Barry’s smile didn’t quite reach his eyes, leaving his mood a riddle.


    Jareth turned to Gary, whose smug face was enough to raise hackles, ‘Uncle Gary, I know all your so–called “buddies – a sorry bunch if I’ve ever seen one. What future do you think you have, hanging out with them day in and day out? Did you even wrap your head around that project Grandpa handed off to you?”


    Gary’s face froze mid–retort. Jareth wasn’t done yet, “You can’t even run your own turf, and here you are, bending over backwards to give these leeches a leg up into the Fairhaven Group. I’m gonnay it out straight – no offense – but even the vassal states in ancient times knew they had to pay tribute every year. Your pals? They do nothing but suck the lifeblood from the Fairhaven Group. And you want to introduce them to me? What, do I look like a born sucker to you?”


    Gary’s face turned a shade redder, his mouth gaping for aeback, but Jareth’s next jab was a gut punch, “And another thing. we’re family, no need for beating around the bush. You’re so cryptic, I almost thought you spent these past months on a spiritual


    retreat.”


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