He decided to give his father the silent treatment for now!

Lilah looked down and saw Jerrold's eyes, round and shining with a mix of hesitation and hope. The gentle tug on her shirt from his small hand only endeared him to her further.

How could anyone resist those eyes?

Gerard, sensing an opportunity, added, “We were thinking of getting dinner. Would you care to join us?"

Considering the hopeful look on Jerrold's face, Lilah couldn't find it in her heart to decline. “Sounds good. Any preferences?"

“You choose," Gerard responded, his voice soft yet commanding.

“Spicy food then?" she suggested.

Both Gerard and Jerrold nodded in agreement.

Jerrold shot his father a look that seemed to say, "Fine, you did good this time, but I'm still mad!"

They settled on an upscale restaurant in a nearby mall.

As they browsed the menu, Lilah asked, "What do you prefer?"

It became clear that neither Gerard nor Jerrold were frequent diners at such establishments; they looked a touch out of their element.

Gerard, trying to maintain his composure, suggested, "Choose whatever you like. We trust your judgment."

With a nod, Lilah picked out some spicy dishes and some mild spicy for the trio. Then, she proceeded to the buffet area to get a variety of ingredients.

A woman passing by remarked, "Modern women really do it all; managing work, and even ordering for the whole family at dinner."

There was a lingering silence at the table after the woman's comment.

Lilah, Gerard, and Jerrold exchanged uncomfortable glances, the weight of unspoken words evident in the air.

Taking a moment to break the tension, Jerrold immediately assisted Lilah with her tableware. Gerard, on the other hand, quickly changed the topic. “What happened at the kindergarten?" he inquired.

Lilah recounted the incident, and as she spoke, Gerard's face clouded with concern. “I've always tried to keep Jerrold's background a secret to avoid any undue attention. It never crossed my mind that he'd face such an issue. I'll ensure the kindergarten rectifies this, so it doesn't happen again."

Lilah reassured him, "You couldn't have predicted this. Who expects such behavior from a teacher?"

As their conversation flowed, all of their dishes were served. Gerard picked some of the food and put it on Lilah's plate.

Taking her first bite, Lilah was momentarily in a trance. She was savoring a meal with the influential head of the Harris Group!

Distracted by the mouthwatering flavors, she barely noticed strands of her hair falling toward her plate. But Gerard did. Swiftly, he reached out, gently tucking the strands behind her ear.

Looking up, Lilah noticed the toned definition of his arm, a testament to his physical strength. A blush crept up her cheeks. “I should ask the waiter for a hair tie," she murmured.