Although the sun’s intensity made it somewhat ufortable, Hera found the scene mesmerizing and embraced the beauty of it. Despite the afternoon heat, she enjoyed every moment of the scenic drive.


    After another hour on the road, they arrived at Seaside Cove, a renowned seaside restaurant that promised a fine dining experience. With its stunning, Instagram-worthy ambiance and sky-high prices, but it remained a popr spot with a steady flow of patrons. While most guests needed to book in advance, Zhane’s status allowed them to walk in without a reservation, as a private room was always set aside for him.


    As Zhane and Hera were escorted upstairs, they passed a line of people waiting outside, snapping pictures of the picturesque setting.


    Zhane had his arm around Hera’s waist as they ascended, but as soon as they reached the second floor, someone spotted him and eximed, "Zhane?!"


    "Uncle Ben, you’re here to eat out too?" Zhane asked, ncing at the woman standing beside his uncle. Although Zhane addressed him as "uncle," the man was merely a member of a branch family who often shed with Zhane’s father in family discussions and was known for employing underhanded tactics to gain more assets.


    Zhane’s father always preferred to rise above the infighting and avoid getting entangled in family disputes, but Uncle Ben’s insatiable greed never ceased to stir trouble. As Zhane noticed the woman beside his uncle, who was not his wife, a smirk tugged at his lips. "Are you discussing business?" he asked, his toneced with subtle amusement.


    His uncle’s gaze darted around nervously before settling on Hera, the beautiful woman beside Zhane. Though he initially failed to recognize her, his eyes sparkled with a glimmer of lustful curiosity. "And who might this be?" he inquired with a veneer of calm, attempting to mask the difort of being seen dining with someone who wasn’t his wife.


    Zhane stepped forward to block his uncle’s lingering gaze, his brows furrowed in disapproval. "She’s my girlfriend," he said firmly. "It looks like you’re heading out, Uncle. Please, go on and enjoy your evening." He turned to the woman apanying his uncle and added, "Could you kindly see my uncle out? I’m sure Auntie is eagerly waiting for him."


    The man was speechless, he had just arrived at the restaurant a minute ahead of Zhane but he was already being sent home, and he couldn’t even refute what he said because the restaurant was owned by Zhane’s mother and his wife was the one who was really a part of the Everett’s branch family while he was nothing but a son inw. He led his date out as he ground his teeth in anger.


    Zhane’s words wereced with a subtle but unmistakable threat: if his uncle pressed his luck, Zhane wouldn’t hesitate to expose the affair to his uncle’s wife. Such a revtion would ignite a family scandal, likely resulting in his uncle’s expulsion from the family—a harsh consequence for someone who was always ying the role of the henpecked husband.


    Seething with resentment, the man pulled out his phone and made a call. When someone on the other end answered, he barked, "Begin the operation; the goods are ready for delivery." Hanging up, he sneered, his eyes shing with cold, ruthless determination.


    But Zhane was more than just a pretty face—he was acutely aware of his uncle’s vindictive nature. Anticipating potential sabotage, he had already arranged for someone to secure a copy of the restaurant’s camera footage, ensuring that any evidence of his uncle’s activities would be preserved before it could be tampered with or erased.


    After the brief interlude, Zhane led Hera to his private room and requested the staff to prepare the restaurant’s specialties. As they waited, he served Hera a refreshing ss of cold orange juice, and they chatted about their experiences at the shooting range.


    When the seafood boat arrived, brimming with freshly caught delicacies, Zhane eagerly dove in to serve Hera dishes he knew she would enjoy. He had observed her fondness for shelled seafood like lobster, shrimp, and crab, so he made sure to include those in their spread. However, noticing she hadn’t tried raw fish or oysters yet, he decided not to order them this time.


    Seeing Zhane attentively take care of her, Hera decided to return the gesture by serving him as well. While he focused on peeling shrimp and crab, she asionally spoon-fed him the dishes he had prepared for her.


    Hera found joy in this act of nurturing, especially as Zhane’s eyes lit up with delight each time she fed him. His usually guarded, responsible demeanor softened, revealing a more yful, childlike side that Hera hadn’t seen before.


    It was a side of him that contrasted sharply with his usual role as the big brother of the bunch, and he felt a profound sense of happiness and indulgence that he hadn’t realized was hidden beneath his stoic exterior.


    Throughout lunch, the yful exchange between Hera and Zhane made the meal particrly memorable. They managed to finish all the food served, with Zhane eating the majority, as Hera took great pleasure in feeding him.


    Her enjoyment of the act meant that, even as she began to feel full and bloated, she continued to offer him bites. Sharing utensils only added to Zhane’s happiness—after all, they had already shared a kiss, so sharing a spoon felt like a natural extension of their intimacy.