?Chapter 550:


    Elena’s allure was undeniable. She possessed a captivating charm that made heads turn the instant she stepped through the doorway.


    From the moment she sat down, fleeting nces were cast her way by many onlookers.


    The café owner, a young man with sses and a tentative smile, approached her table with her order and an unexpected addition—a slice of chocte cake on a small te.


    “I didn’t order dessert,” Elena remarked, a hint of curiosity in her tone.


    The owner, his gaze flitting away from her piercing eyes, murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, “Consider it a treat.”


    With nervous haste, he retreated to the safety of his counter before she could decline.


    As time ticked by, Elena skillfully turned down several attempts at conversation from nearby customers, her attention fixed on the entrance. She checked her watch, her patience waning. If her expectedpany didn’t show within five minutes, she would leave.


    Just as she was about to gather her things, the door burst open.


    A figure entered—a tall man whose long strides and broad shoulders sliced through the café’s hum.


    Elena’s eyes widened slightly in surprise as she observed him.


    Kason, with hismanding presence, scanned the room before making his way to her. His voice, resonant and clear, broke the ambient chatter. “Sorry, I’mte.”


    “You…” Elena paused, her mind racing. “Are you Kirby’s grandson?”


    Kason nodded affirmatively. “That’s me.”


    His military bearing was unmistakable—every movement deliberate and poised. Despite his casual attire, his disciplined posture, sharply defined features, and neatly trimmed hair spoke of his military background. The softness of his skin, however, stood in contrast, not bearing the harshness one might expect from a soldier’s exterior.


    Soldiers often carried sun-kissed skin from hours spent outdoors, yet Kason’splexion was a warm, golden hue that radiated rugged allure.


    Elena had encountered him on a handful of asions, each time perceiving him as reserved yet utterlyposed. To her, it seemed like he had been roped into this blind date by well-meaning but persistent family members.


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    As they sat across from each other, a slight tension hanging in the air, Elena ventured cautiously, “You probably didn’t realize you’d be meeting me today, did you? Sorry, I didn’t know it was you either—”


    “I knew it was you,” Kason interjected, his voice steady, cutting through her apology with quiet certainty. He had known he was meeting her all along.


    The realization left Elena momentarily at a loss for words. He figured out it was her beforehand, yet that didn’t stop him froming. Their previous encounters hadn’t been pleasant. Their first meeting had ended with her injuring Johnson. During their second encounter, he had nearly eliminated her in apetitive game. In theirst meeting, Cathy had stirred trouble with her.


    Elena’s brow furrowed as she felt that her rtionship with Kason wasn’t exactly friendly. After a moment, she posed a question, her voice tinged with confusion. “Then why are you here? Could it be family pressure?”


    Kason didn’t order coffee. Instead, he requested a ss of water. After a refreshing sip that seemed to soothe his throat, he looked her in the eye, his expression softening. “I owe you an apology forst time. I meant toe by your ce and make amends, but my duties called me back to the barracks sooner than expected.”


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