Chapter 316: Chapter 316: I Like You So Much 2

Leona Grant truly never expected that things he once thought were forever out of reach would happen again.

His hot lips landed on her cool cheek. An unshakeable tenderness filled Leona Grant’s eyes as he whispered, "Thank you, Annabelle Linton. This is your reward."

Annabelle was speechless. ’Fine. Just please keep your hands to yourself next time.’

A flash of disgust and impatience crossed Annabelle Linton’s eyes. She deliberately sidestepped his intimate gesture. "Thanks, but I think you can go wash your hands and wait for dinner. It’ll be ready soon."

Sensing her deliberate distance, Leona Grant’s expression darkened. "Are you avoiding me on purpose?"

’You guessed it.’

Annabelle continued what she was doing, saying coolly, "I’m just telling you that dinner is almost ready, so you can get ready to eat."

"But it isn’t ready yet, is it?" he asked, watching her skillfully chop the vegetables.

Annabelle didn’t respond, deciding not to say anything more.

Leona glanced at her and walked out.

Annabelle thought he had left and let out a small sigh of relief. She then viciously wiped the spot on her cheek he had just kissed with the back of her hand.

Just as she was wiping it, Leona came back in, having taken off his suit jacket. Annabelle quickly dropped her hand.

He walked up to her, undid his cufflinks, and rolled up his sleeves. Watching her chop vegetables, he asked, "Need any help?"

"No, thanks. You can just wait for it to be served."

Leona looked at her, the corners of his mouth lifting in a smirk. In a tone as if bestowing a great favor, he announced, "I’ve decided to help you."

Annabelle was speechless. ’Then why did you even ask?’

The two of them, wearing shirts of the same color, looked perfectly matched under the light.

What should have been a warm, harmonious, and heartwarming scene turned into... well...

"I’m cooking savory food. Why are you adding sugar?"

"Oh, I thought it was salt."

Annabelle was speechless.

"Is this a scallion or a garlic sprout?"

"...Those are chives."

"Look, I made scrambled eggs with tomatoes."

"...It’s great. Next time, remember to chop the tomatoes a bit more. Also, you can’t eat the eggshells. And please, use salt..."

"Okay, okay. Then look at this one. Cold-tossed cucumber."

Annabelle lifted the plate cover, wiped a hand over her face, and then, unable to bear the sight, put the cover back on. She was truly starting to understand what it felt like to question her own existence. The worst part was, she still had to lie through her teeth.

"...Not bad. You’ve even learned to invent your own dishes. But... could you maybe explain how one is supposed to eat this?"

Recalling the single, lonely cucumber on the plate next to a sprig of cilantro, she realized she had no idea this was how one made cold-tossed cucumber.

’A funeral for a cucumber?’

’A true kitchen assassin.’

Annabelle was truly heartbroken by the whole cooking ordeal. It was just common sense! Had he never even seen anyone cook before? She honestly had no idea how Leona had managed to survive this long.

Because of Leona’s "help," their original menu was a total loss. The dishes she’d made earlier were either ruined or had gone cold. In the end, Annabelle had no choice but to give up and just make something simple to fill their stomachs.

It was late by the time they finished eating. Annabelle took a shower and lay in bed, wondering how she should approach Leona tomorrow.

Just as she was drifting off to sleep, she suddenly felt someone pull her into a tight embrace.

She jolted wide awake, all sleepiness gone in an instant, and desperately pushed at the person holding her.

"Don’t move."

Leona’s cool voice came from above her head. He shifted into a more dominant and comfortable position, holding her even tighter.

Annabelle froze.

In the darkness, their heartbeats seemed to merge into one. Annabelle pressed her hands against his chest and struggled a few times, only to be held even tighter.

Leona loved this feeling—having his arms completely full of her. It was deeply satisfying.

Annabelle struggled a few more times but couldn’t break free. She frowned and said, "Leona, given our current relationship, we can’t sleep in the same bed."

"What kind of relationship? Are you dropping a hint? In that case, let’s just get remarried."

Annabelle was speechless.