Mr. CEO's Substitute Bride-Chapter 823 - 819: If There’s Nothing Else, I’ll Head Back First

Before the server could even finish noting down the order, Melody hastily interrupted, "No need, I just ate..."

Oliver Shaw cast a sidelong glance, causing Melody to pause, swallow her words, purse her lips, and lower her gaze, pretending to idly rearrange the lilies in the vase.

After the server left, seeing Melody’s fondness for the lilies, Oliver asked, "Do you like them?"

"Huh?" Melody lifted her eyes, momentarily dazed, and quickly avoided Oliver’s gaze, returning the vase with a smile, "This restaurant really has a nice ambiance, even has lilies."

Watching Melody visibly avoid him, Oliver said nothing more. He had specifically requested the restaurant to prepare these lilies because Melody did not like roses.

Soon enough, the server brought over a tray with a steak, foie gras, two tall glasses, and a decanter filled with red wine. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

After placing the dishes, the server retreated politely. Oliver picked up the decanter and poured a glass of red wine for Melody, "Drink a little. You shouldn’t get drunk."

She wanted to refuse, moved her lips slightly, but said nothing. Melody disliked wine, any kind of alcohol, really. She only drank juice, something Oliver was well aware of.

Looking at the foie gras dish in front of her, which used to be her favorite, maybe because she had just eaten, Melody felt disinterested and pushed the dish towards Oliver, "You eat. I’ve just had a meal."

Oliver was pouring wine for himself, glanced at her indifferently, and said, "Eat some first, then give me the rest."

For a normal couple, sharing a dish would be entirely ordinary. But they were no longer a couple, so Melody slid the foie gras onto Oliver’s plate, leaving only a small portion for herself.

Seeing Melody’s palpable distance, Oliver still said nothing, though his expression had visibly darkened.

After pouring the wine, Oliver raised his glass, "Come on, happy birthday to you."

Melody also raised her glass, clinked it with his, and forced a polite smile, "Thank you."

Both were engrossed in their meals, with little to no conversation.

Recently divorced, they were now celebrating her birthday. Melody’s heart was a whirlwind of emotions, while Oliver had already eaten most of his steak, and she slowly sliced the foie gras in a daze.

"Why aren’t you eating?" Oliver lifted his eyes to look at her. Melody snapped back to reality, met his gaze with a smile, and said, "Just ate, not hungry."

"Even if you’re not hungry, you should finish it all. Waste not," Oliver said arrogantly and continued cutting his steak.

After finishing the main course, Oliver ordered the server to bring ice cream. Staring at the ice cream in front of her, Melody’s lips barely curled into a smile, and for a long time, she didn’t touch it.

She loved ice cream, but Oliver used to say cold foods were harmful and forbade her from eating much, so she would sneak some when he wasn’t home...

Today was her birthday, and he had gone out of his way to order ice cream for her.

"Why aren’t you eating? You used to really like it," seeing Melody merely staring, Oliver asked. Melody managed a smile and said, "I’ve been taking traditional medicine, avoiding certain foods."

"Oh, then just eat a little, since it’s your birthday, it’s okay to indulge occasionally."

Then, Oliver unusually scooped some with a spoon. As he tasted it, Melody clearly saw him frowning.

"Oliver, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be heading back. Felix... he’s had too much to drink and needs someone to look after him,"