Chapter 941:
The three of them together made a striking scene.
“I came to get you,” he said.
He angled the umbrella over Rylie, and a faint hint of menthol candy drifted toward her.
Her eyes widened as realization struck. “You looked out for Ella.” Because otherwise, how else could Brad be here?
The man rested a hand gently on her head, a soft smile on his face. Yet his voice carried a trace of mild reproach. “You went ahead without telling me, and now you won’t let me do everything I can to help you?”
Deandre, noticing how Brad shifted from his usual cold detachment into a rare warmth—laced with irritation—shook his head. “Let’s just get moving. Quit being so mushy.”
Kendrick chuckled and waved them off. “I gotta go. I’ve got dinner to make for my wife.”
Rylie dipped her head slightly. “Okay. Thanks for your help.”
Brad added casually, “I reserved a private room and invited the Sweetberry crew too.”
They climbed into the car and drove off.
Brad had secured the finest rainforest-themed restaurant in South Verdania, reserving the entire place just for them. Rylie’s eyes lit up the moment she stepped inside. “Grandpa! Felix! Marcus!”
Her whole family was there, waiting for her.
Brad gave a small shrug. “I couldn’t hold them back. You know your grandfather.”
The Owens swarmed around their little princess, bubbling with excitement, while Kendrick couldn’t stop letting out soft, exasperated sighs.
Felix shook his head with a wry smile. “I knew you’d be stubborn again. Lucky Deandre had your back—otherwise, how would you have handled that crowd?”
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Truthfully, Rylie’s team was nearby, but she kept them where they were, seeing no reason to call them forward.
It was Brad.
She averted her eyes, her voice barely above a whisper. “This won’t happen again, Felix.”
Felix smirked and shook his head. “Funny—you say that every time.”
Rylie kept her head bowed, quietly owning her mistake.
Marcus nudged Felix with a grin. “Quiet. You were the one who insisted Deandre watch her.”
Felix let out a long sigh. “I know she can handle herself, but how am I supposed to stop worrying?”
Kendrick guided Rylie to the seat beside him. “All right. We know her well enough—just keep an eye on her. And don’t forget, she did the right thing.”
The family gathered around the main dining table, while the Sweetberry team took a nearby section.
Deandre’s eyes drifted across the room and landed on Melany. Juice in hand, she was laughing with a male colleague, her smile bright and effortless. A shadow passed over Deandre’s expression.
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