Aurelia stifled a giggle. Despite Skyler was mere eight years of intellect, he was adult-like and his mind was a labyrinth of cunning and wit.
On deck, a sinister chill flickered through Raines' eyes.
Beverley and Sheryl divided the fish as instructed, then each began to count their share.
Raines lost to Fredric by a single fish and now faced his punishment.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtHe tightened his lips for a moment, covertly biting down on his molar. But it was only for an instant before he relaxed, offering a nonchalant smile.
"A bet's a bet!" Fredric shrugged. "No biggie, Raines. It's all in good taste. You could down three bowls of hot ljuice." Sheryl brought over the ljuice.
Raines accepted it. "It's been ages since I've had ljuice. Not sure if | can still handle the taste." Leopold curled his lips slightly. "Relax, it's just how you like it. Your old nanny Paz made it especially for you." He paused, then asked, "Remember Paz? You saw her five years ago when Chad passed. She often made you your favorite ljuice." Raines shook his head. "Not really. You know my memory is terrible. If the servants hadn't pickedup from the airport, | probably couldn't have found my way back to the Stirling estate." Leopold smiled thinly. "No worries. I've had Paz brought over. You two can catch up and she's missed you." Fredric spoke up, "Leopold always thinks of everything. At the sight of Paz, Raines will recall his memory. In addition to Elfreda, he was closest to her." Raines forced a smile. "I'd like to see Paz. Hopefully, I'll remember her." He downed the ljuice in one gulp.
After finishing, he discreetly cleaned his mouth with a handkerchief, hiding any expression.
Aurelia then served him cilantro juice.
"I tried a sip, and it's not too bad. Those who like cilantro might enjoy it." Raines shrugged. "It's all fair. | lost, so | must face the music. Haven't been out at sea for a while because of my health." Aurelia smiled gently. "Now that you're back home, Raines, we brothers should hang out more. Let's go deep-sea fishing sometime.
Leopold, Fredric, and Skyler all love it." Raines replied, "Maybe after | brush up on my skills, I'll challenge them again." He took the cilantro juice from Aurelia.
Its flavor was intense and pungent.
He downed it in one go, instinctively furrowing his brow.
It was only a brief moment, but Aurelia caught it. Still, it was possible to like cilantro and not its juice.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmLater, the yacht anchored near a deserted islet.
The beach was pristine.
Aurelia and Leopold went crab hunting among the rocks.
Aurelia had a pressing question for him.
"Mr. Leopold, if we remarry, am | still the first wife, or is it a second marriage?" In the Stirling family, the status difference between the first wife and a second marriage was stark.
Leopold could see how much this mattered to her, so much so that she hesitated to remarry him or have a wedding.
"I never married Megan, so you're still my first wife." Aurelia pouted. "Our marriage certificate isn't the sas before. It'll surely be stamped with 'second marriage." Leopold chuckled softly, wrapping his arm around her slender waist. "Don't worry. | won't let them stamp it. Besides, as your original husband, anyone else you marry would indeed be a second marriage." Aurelia shot him an annoyed look. "This is all your fault!"