Chapter 164
Carlos glanced over curiously toward the commotion.
Jacob quickly stepped in, blocking his line of sight. "Mr. Stoddard, let's head over and order first. Mr. Harrison has some personal matters to attend to."
Carlos chuckled and withdrew his gaze. "Alright, let's order first."
The group then made their way to the private room.
Pete had a faint smile on his face as he said, "I finished my studies in carving and opened a small shop. You know how it is in our line of work, land one deal occasionally, and the returns are good enough. Every time I wrap up a job, I take off to travel. I've almost seen the entire world by now."
He looked at Victoria. "And you? As Henry's wife, have you traveled to a lot of places over the years?"
Victoria fell silent. Forget about traveling abroad; she hadn't even seen all of her own country.
For five years, she had poured her heart into chasing love, devoting herself to Henry and Jude, only to receive nothing but endless indifference in return.
"I shouldn't have brought that up."
Victoria forced a faint smile. "It's fine. I'm used to it."
Pete chuckled softly, then handed her a drink. "Here, have some. It's sweet, and it might make you feel a little better."
"Thank you."
Victoria forced a smile, but from the corner of her eye, she noticed a familiar figure approaching.
She turned her head immediately, and sure enough, Henry walked over, pulled out the chair next to hers, and sat down. His strikingly handsome face carried an aloof and icy demeanor, exuding an air of elegance.
"Going out to eat without inviting me, huh?"
As he sat, Henry casually draped an arm across the back of Victoria's chair, a possessive gesture that closed the distance between them. His deep, attractive eyes rested on her face as he spoke in a calm yet probing tone.
Victoria frowned, her delicate brows furrowing. "What are you doing here?"
Henry smirked faintly. "That's a bit distant, isn't it? We're husband and wife. If we end up in the same restaurant, doesn't that show we're in sync?"
He then turned his gaze to Pete. "Don't you think so?"
Pete's smile faded slightly at Henry's arrival.
Though they never had met before, Pete could now feel the commanding presence of the man before him.
Henry exuded a regal aura, a refined nobility honed by wealth and intelligence, coupled with an unyielding sharpness.
It was a demeanor impossible for ordinary people to emulate.
"So this is the president of the Harrison Group," he thought.
"Not exactly," Pete replied his tone calm but laced with a hint of provocation. "If there really were such synchronicity, you wouldn't be eating separately without saying a word to each other."
Now aware of Henry's identity, Pete showed no deference. Instead, his words deliberately struck a nerve.
Henry's expression darkened, his cold aura spreading like a storm. His sharp and oppressive presence bore down on Pete, his gaze brimming with anger and hostility.
"This is the kind of fun we have in our marriage. You seem quite interested in other people's private matters?"
Victoria interjected, her voice firm. "I'm having dinner with a friend. Can you stop causing trouble?"
Henry turned his gaze back to her, his tone nonchalant yet resolute. "You're my wife. Your friends are my friends. This meal is on me."
Victoria resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Her voice turned colder. "Then can you leave now?"
Instead of complying, Henry suddenly pulled her closer, shiver down her spine. The tips of her fair earlobes flushed a delicate shade of red.
"Victoria," Henry murmured, his voice low and dangerous, "don't test me. A man like him? Crushing him would be far too easy."
Victoria's breath hitched, and her grip on her fork tightened slightly. Struggling to suppress her emotions, she asked, "What exactly are you trying to do?"
Henry's gaze settled on her cheek, where the an unmistakable shade of pink from his warm breath. His eyes darkened, and without hesitation, he leaned in and kissed it lightly.
Then he said nonchalantly, "What else? I'm here to eat."
Victoria's entire body stiffened. It took every ounce of self–control not to jab her fork into his face. Gritting her teeth, she asked, "What are you eating?"
She had given in.
Henry smiled with satisfaction. He beckoned the server, glanced at the menu, and swiftly ordered a few dishes.
Pete's smile faded even further.
But Henry was Victoria's husband. Pete had no grounds to ask him to leave.
Besides, Henry's domineering aura made it clear that once he decided something, it was unchangeable.
Pete sighed internally. "That's too bad. No wonder she always looks troubled. Her life must be so unhappy."
The atmosphere at the table grew increasingly awkward, but Henry seemed oblivious. He casually asked, "What were you two talking about earlier?"
Pele replied, "We were talking about how lucky she must be to be your wife, having everything she could ever want."
Victoria glanced at Pete, puzzled by his intent.
Henry nodded without hesitation. "You're absolutely right."
But Pete continued, "If I ever get married, I'd make sure my wife never feels wrong. If she so much as frowned, I'd immediately reflect on what I did wrong and try to fix it."
Henry looked at him approvingly. "Your future wife will be very fortunate."
Pete was speechless.
"Does he really not get what I'm implying?" he thought.
The tension hung thick in the air until the server arrived with their food, breaking the silence.
Henry picked up his fork and began serving food onto Victoria's plate. His actions were abrupt but carried a natural ease as if he'd done this countless times before.
"Eat more. You haven't been eating well, have you?"
Victoria froze, alarm flashing in her eyes.
She thought, "What's gotten into him? Has he lost his mind? Or being possessed by someone else?"
In their five years of marriage, Henry had never done anything like this.
"Eat," Henry prompted, noticing her hesitation. His thin lips curved faintly. "Don't like this food?"
Without waiting for a response, he added a portion of another dish to her plate. "Then try this."
Victoria gripped her fork tightly, unsure of his game, but she was indeed hungry. Lowering her head, she began eating.
Henry's smile deepened as he watched her.
Pete remained silent, observing the scene.
At first, Henry seemed unsure of her preferences, randomly selecting dishes for her. But as the meal went on, he started serving only the ones she liked, as if he had suddenly learned her tastes.
What had begun as a meal for just the two of them now felt utterly disrupted by Henry's presence. Pete, once an equal participant, now seemed entirely out of place.
Victoria soon set her fork down, wiped the corner of her mouth, and said calmly, "I'm done. I need to get back to the hospital to accompany my grandmother."
Pete offered, "I'll take you. I actually need to discuss something with Ava anyway."
Henry watched the two of them walking out side by side and found the sight increasingly irritating. His voice cut through the air. "Victoria, I have something to tell you."
"Go ahead," Victoria replied, stopping in her tracks.
Pete also paused, waiting.
Henry remained seated, his hand resting casually on the edge of the table, but he made no move to speak.
Victoria frowned. "What is it? Just say it already."
Henry cast a cold glance at Pete, who stood not far away. "This is a private conversation between husband and wife. Do you plan to join in?"