I Was His Wife, Then His Widow, Then No One's But My Own novel Chapter 84

The lavish meal was already laid out on the round table. Most of the dishes were Arthur's personal favorites—something Felix had meticulously researched and briefed Nora on beforehand. Nora felt a twinge of nervousness, but she was confident in their preparations.

Standing at the doorway, Arthur took in the magnificent spread. The dark, stormy expression he had worn out in the dining room slowly melted away. Who could stay mad in the face of such a feast?

The corners of his mouth twitched upwards, though he quickly forced them back into a grim line. He cleared his throat and patted Felix's shoulder. "Felix, did you arrange all this?"

Felix immediately looked at Nora, smiling broadly. "Professor Caldwell, my colleague Nora prepared everything. She finalized the menu, and she personally warmed the Peach Blossom Brandy. She even timed it perfectly so you could have the first sip the exact moment you arrived."

Arthur's sharp eyes shifted to Nora. He looked her up and down, letting his profound gaze linger on her face for a second before nodding in approval. "Good. She shows promise."

Nora smiled gracefully, pulling out a chair for him. "You flatter me, Professor. Please, sit. I hope everything is to your liking."

Arthur was genuinely exhausted from his travels, and the smell of the food had him starving. He sat down, picked up his fork, and took a bite of the pan-seared sea bass. As he chewed, his eyes visibly lit up.

He quickly moved on to the creamy lobster bisque, followed by a piece of garlic butter shrimp.

He didn't speak a single word while he ate, but the absolute contentment on his face said it all. He was thoroughly enjoying the meal.

Finally, he picked up the delicate glass of Peach Blossom Brandy, took a slow sip, and let out a deeply satisfied sigh as he set it down.

"It suits my taste perfectly. Just like you."

Nora blinked, momentarily caught off guard. Before she could process the compliment, Felix leaned in and whispered, "Don't you get it, Nora? Professor Caldwell is saying you can ask him anything you want."

Nora's eyes immediately sparkled with excitement.

She stood up and poured Arthur another glass, unable to hide the absolute thrill in her voice. "Thank you, Professor Caldwell! But please, enjoy your dinner first. We can discuss work after you've eaten."

Yet here Nora was, thinking he was a breeze to talk to. Felix mentally sighed. If Nora had managed to win him over, she had certainly earned it.

Felix silently cried tears of relief.

The dinner went incredibly smoothly. Afterward, Nora and Felix offered to drive Arthur to his hotel, but he flat-out refused.

Arthur put his stern mask back on. "I haven't seen that old stubborn fool who trained you yet. Let's go."

Nora and Felix exchanged a quick, shocked look. Both could see the sheer disbelief mirrored in the other's eyes.

It felt like the air was suddenly thick with the scent of gunpowder.