Chapter 17: Unpleasant Dinner

At dinner, it was a struggle to get all four people seated at the table. Although Jennifer's expression was still grim, she had managed to rein it in a bit, and the sharp hostility from earlier had dissipated. Nelson hesitated, stealing glances at Jennifer before turning to observe Emma. Emma, however, remained expressionless, as she was covertly appraising Patrick's attire. At that moment, he seemed extremely distant, almost unapproachable. He sat quietly, resembling a finely sculpted statue,...