Watching the scene inifold, Laicas felt a flicker of dissatisfaction.


    He was beginning to think it might be time to have a serious conversation with Keh about his sister’s entitled befurior


    But before he could dwell on it, Wendy switched gears with surprising ease.


    She held up a shirt with a bright sunile. “Lukry, look at this one! 1 think it’s perfect for you!”


    She grabbed a matching the and pair of pants “And this the and the trousers–now it’s a full set!”


    Lucas gave them a once–over, his eyes narrowing slightly.


    They were exactly his style–shuple, sharp, and the <b>kind </b>of clothes he mually wore.


    Just as he was about to pay, Wendy beat him to it. “I’ve got it. Lukey, this is my gift to you.”


    For some reason, that warmed him more than he expected.


    After all, even Aurora had never really bought him anything like th


    <b>“</b>Alright,” he said, a rare trace of softness in his tone. “Looks like you’ve grown up.”


    Wendy grinned and leaned in yfully. “Of course I have! I used my own secret savings for this, you know. Don’t treat me like <b>a </b><b>kid </b>anymore!”


    Dressed in a pure white dress, her cheerful energy practically radiated from her.


    Beside Lucas, she looked every bit the lively, dating young woman


    To outsiders, they made quite the picture.


    Whispers floated around them.


    People were murmuring how perfect they looked together.


    When Wendy heard it, she tilted her chin slightly and smiled with the smug price of a peacock.


    She instinctively tightened her grip on Lucas’s arm, as if iming him for herself.


    But Lucas gently pulled his arm free.


    “<b>Wendy</b>, I’m married,” he said calmly.


    “This isn’t appropriate.”


    He had always seen Wendy as a younger sister.


    And gestures like that, clearly crossed the line of what was eptable <b>between </b>siblings.


    Wendy froze for a moment, a flicker of awkwardness and embarrassment shing across her face


    But it passed quickly, reced by her usual sweet smile.


    “You’re right, Lukey. I wasn’t thinking,” she said, tilting her head and feigning innocence.


    <b>do </b>


    see you like an older brother. I mean, I don’t think your wife would mind, right…!


    She trailed off deliberately<b>, </b>casting him a hesitant look.


    Before <b>Lucas </b>could respond, she went on as if nothing had happened


    “Anyway, I don’t know many people here in Ravenshore. You’re the only one I really trust. I mean, your wife probably <b>just </b>


    doesn’t know how close you and my brother are


    we’ve known rich other for so long.”


    Lucas thought about it


    <i>t </i><i>for </i>a


    a moment. She wasn’t entirely wrong


    They ended up going for dinner <b>afterward</b>.


    At the table, Wendly kept reaching over with her fork to serve him food, watching his expression carefully every time she ced something on his te.


    When she noticed he wasn’t pleased, she immediately apologized


    “Oh no, Lukey, I just thought this dish was really good, and I wanted you to have more. I only meant to share it with you.”


    <b>Lucas</b>‘ brow twitched as he held back his irritation.


    Keh’s request shed through his mind, and he took a breath to steady himself.


    “It’s fine. Just eat your <b>own </b>lood,” he said calmly.


    After that, Lucas took a few distracted bites andpletely lost his appetite.


    He hadn’t touched any of the dishes Wendy ced on his te.


    Seeing <b>that</b>, her expression darkened.


    She clenched her fork tightly, emotions flickering across her face.