Luca had no idea, so she asked the kids for their opinions, "How would you like it cooked?"
The three kids did not discuss it and simultaneously said, "We'll follow your lead."
As Luca watched Luke and the kids shift the decision-making rights back to her, she also thought of
Nina, who was still at the villa. Thus, she suggested, "How about grilled lobster with garlic butter
sauce? Nina loves it too."
"Sure." Luke had no objections.
After the family of five returned to the villa, Luke walked into the kitchen with a bag, instructing Aunt
Neil to prepare grilled lobster for dinner.
Luca headed upstairs and found Nina reading on the balcony.
"Nina, what are you reading?" asked Luca.
"Huh? You're back?" Nina was surprised. She thought Luca would spend the whole weekend at
Crawford Manor. When Nina saw her come back, a few unpleasant scenarios came into her mind.
Then, she nervously pulled Luca to sit down. "Come, take a seat."
Luca glanced at the book Nina was reading. It was a psychology book. She sat down and asked,
"What's with that look?"
"I'm just looking out for you." Nina gave her the once-over a few times, checking her out from top to
bottom. Then, she asked, "Why did you come back so soon?"
"Well, they all came back, so I came back too..." Luca slightly frowned, not knowing the implication
behind Nina's question.
"No, what I mean is..." Nina was a little hesitant, but she still went ahead and asked, “Did you get into
some trouble back at Crawford Manor? Why else would you be back so soon?"
Luca knew she was worried about her and could not help but let out a laugh.
Nina was concerned that she might have faced disapproval from Old Master Crawford and that was
why they came back early.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtHence, Luca explained, "No, I didn't. It was originally planned this way, and the kids have
extracurricular activities tomorrow. Plus, Rainie has a ballet performance tomorrow. We needed to
come back today."
After explaining, Luca added, "And Old Master Crawford treated me well. None of the scenarios you
imagined happened. Relax."
"I'm glad that you weren't put in a difficult situation. I've been worried since yesterday that you might
have a tough time. Hearing you say that really eases my mind." Nina let out a sigh.
She realized that the Crawford family and the Mallory family had many similarities.
However, there were also some differences.
For instance, the way Old Master Crawford handled young people's relationships. It seemed like he did
not have too high expectations or conservative views.
However, Nina also understood that Old Master Crawford's lack of objection to Luke and Luca's
relationship was partly because Luca was outstanding enough.
Luca had developed a medicine that could earn a lot of money for T Corporation. Coupled with her
understanding of pharmacology and dry needling techniques, she was welcomed by the elderly
wherever she went.
Thus, it made sense for Old Master Crawford not to be against it. Unlike Nina, who had nothing special
—not even a family background that could compare to others. It was not out of the ordinary for Percy's
elders to disapprove. It was kind of expected.
Luca looked at Nina, sensing her change in mood. She asked, "Nina, what's the matter?"
Nina came back to her senses. As she reflected on Luca's achievements and herself, she could not
help but have a lot on her mind.
However, she was not envious of Luca.
Everyone was different. While she was living a carefree life, enjoying good food and drinks, Luca was
probably already diving into a lot of serious studying.
The more one sowed, the more one reaped.
"Oh, it's nothing. I was just thinking that if I were an old man, I would also appreciate and admire you.
How could I bear to nitpick and be dissatisfied with you?" replied Nina with a cheerful smile. She
pushed aside the sense of disappointment from earlier.
Luca playfully teased, "Oh? Why are you suddenly saying this?"
"You're something else, seriously. I feel particularly safe when I'm around you. I always think that even
if something happens to my body, I don't have to worry because you can save me."
Nina laughed and thought of the many times Luca had helped her. It made her understand why she
could not fully stand on Bianca's side when they were both fighting over the same man.
She was friends with Bianca first and Luke and Bianca's marriage was legally protected. However, she
simply could not take the high ground in terms of law and morality to say anything inappropriate to
Luca.
"Cut the crap. I'd rather you never need me to save you." Luca gently tapped her head.
"I hope so too, but some things don't just come true because you wish for them. By the way, I met
someone after work yesterday. Guess who?" asked Nina.
"Who?" Luca did not know who Nina had met, so she asked.
"Marie Rayne, the woman who caused a scene with Jean at the entrance of the neighborhood where
the Rayne family lives," Nina reminded Luca who Marie was, just in case she forgot.
Luca certainly knew who Marie Rayne was. She said, "I ran into her at the hospital back then. Her
condition seemed quite bad."
Nina was surprised. "Why didn't you tell me when you met her?"
"She's just an unimportant person. I didn't think much of it." Luca shook her head. She was quite
interested in Marie, considering how adept she was at causing trouble.
However, she did not feel the need to tell Nina. After all, Nina had already severed ties with Anna and
Jean. No matter how much trouble Marie caused, it had nothing to do with Nina.
"True, she's indeed an unimportant person. But I'm still a bit worried. What if she continues to pester
Jean?" Nina could not help but mutter. As she recalled her encounter with Marie, her first thought was
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmto avoid being seen by her.
Marie was really good at being clingy. Perhaps she still wanted to cling onto Jean.
Even though Nina had nothing to do with the Langdon family's affairs now, if Jean got together with
Marie again, the Langdon family would be in trouble.
Marie was like a jinx. Getting involved with her meant trouble for anyone.
"The Langdon family's affairs have nothing to do with you anymore. If Jean is so forgetful and doesn't
learn his lesson, and he still wants to get involved with Marie, then he deserves whatever comes his
way," commented Luca.
While it was true that Jean deserved how he ended up, Nina still felt a sense of responsibility.
However, Nina also thought that she had compensated Jean enough. She no longer owed the Langdon
family anything.
Jean had some money now. If he managed to run a successful business, he could lead a comfortable
life...
Of course, the condition was not getting involved with Marie again.
Nina clapped her hands, and Luca's words reminded her of something. "I guess Jean won't be so
foolish now. Last time, Marie swindled all his money, leaving him unable to afford a meal. The lesson
was harsh.
"If he encounters Marie again, his first thought would probably be to call the police. But any amount
smaller than ten grand wouldn't be enough for a case."
"Indeed." Luca was not interested in Jean's affairs with Marie. When she and Marie were still sisters,
the Rayne family had never mistreated them. She had not done anything wrong to Marie.
Going to jail was purely Marie's doing. She made a mistake, and she should accept the corresponding
punishment.
"Forget about that. Listen, Old Master Crawford gave us some European lobsters. I asked Aunt Neile to
prepare grilled lobster with garlic butter sauce. What do you think?" Luca changed the subject.