Chapter 20 Want Me to Feed You?
Clara Bennett's face paled, her stomach twisting into knots.
Had he figured something out? Had someone spilled the beans—told him the Bennett family swapped in a nobody like her, an illegitimate daughter, to fulfill the marriage contract? That he'd hitched himself to a fake, not the pampered princess of the Bennett clan?
Guys have egos, right? They all dream of landing a trophy wife—rich, gorgeous, the whole package—not some scrappy Cinderella like her.
Clara dipped her head, her hands fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. She screamed at herself internally: Don't admit anything. Mason Reed wasn't just any guy—he'd been in fights, done time. If he lost it, she couldn't even imagine the fallout.
"So, uh, what's there to say?" she stammered, her wide, bright eyes darting up to meet his as she scrambled for a distraction. "Oh, right—work's been rough. No sales this month, so I've got to hustle next month. I... I might not be around to cook much. You'll manage on your own, yeah?"
"Sure," Mason said with a soft chuckle. "I'm not a kid. I'll survive."
He slid his plate of lobster risotto across the table, scooping half onto hers. Clara shook her head, pushing it back, but Mason fixed her with a stern look, his voice dropping. "What, you want me to feed you?"
She shrank back, caving under his glare, and reluctantly accepted the food.
A moment later, Mason's phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen—a text from Jasper White. Keeping his cool, he scanned the room and spotted Jasper a few tables away, grinning like a Cheshire cat, with Chase Ye beside him, barely stifling a laugh.
"Gotta hit the restroom," Mason said casually, nodding at Clara before slipping away to the hallway near the restaurant's corner.
Jasper couldn't hold it in anymore, bursting into laughter. "You two are adorable! Sharing a plate of lobster risotto, heads practically touching—one spoon for him, one for her. Who knew you had such a romantic streak, Third Master?"
Mason shot him a withering glare, and Jasper clamped his mouth shut, though his smirk lingered.
"Third Master, don't mind him," Chase said, chuckling lightly. "Even I'm surprised, though. Looks like you and her... things are going pretty well?"
Mason's expression darkened for a split second. Chase wasn't one to pry without reason. The sharp-witted lawyer was fishing—worried Mason was getting too cozy with Clara here in Harrington, losing sight of who he really was, of Central City and his old life.
"I'm just laying low for now," Mason said coolly. "Living with this Miss Bennett is just... convenient. It's not about good or bad. I'll be out of here eventually."
Chase gave a knowing smile but didn't push.
Jasper, meanwhile, peeked back at Clara, then turned with a goofy grin. "Hey, Third Master, how about I hook you up? Get your bill comped?"
"You?" Mason raised an eyebrow, mulling it over. "Nah, no freebies. Just knock a little off. She'll feel weird otherwise."
"Smart move," Jasper said, nodding eagerly. "I'll tell them to cut you a deal!"
Mason's brow twitched. "This place yours?"
Jasper scratched his head. "My cousin runs it."
"Your White family's got quite the empire in Harrington," Mason remarked.
Jasper puffed up, ready to brag, until Chase stomped on his foot. Catching the hint, Jasper pivoted. "Third Master, anything you need in Harrington, just say the word!"
"Hm." Mason clasped his hands behind his back, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
Jasper was a loose cannon, but he got things done. And right now, Mason had a job for him.
"Dig into Rainbow Trade Co. for me—find out who's behind it. And there's a department supervisor, Stacy Chen. Get me her file."