Chapter 323 Her First Love
Calista caught a whiff of the fresh pine scent it was Paul. She froze for a moment and quickly pulled away from his embrace.
“Thank you. I think I stumbled over something just now.”
She lowered her head to examine the perfectly smooth ground. There was nothing there. What had she
tripped over?
Paul noticed her staring at the ground and asked, “Is everything okay?”
Calista shook her head and replied, “It’s nothing. Let’s keep going.”
Perhaps she had simply been mistaken, Meanwhile, Lucian’s gaze stayed fixed on Calista throughout the
entire sequence of events from the passenger seat.
Despite their considerable distance, Lucian’s focus remained unwaveringly set on Calista.
Though he couldn’t discern the precise cause of Calista’s stumble, the very notion that she had tripped on
such a level surface left him contemplating whether Paul might have orchestrated it.
Lucian silently cursed Paul, regarding him as a cunning man. Despite having witnessed Calista arrive with
Lucian’s car moments earlier, Paul had intentionally averted his gaze, feigning ignorance.
“What a calculating and insincere man he was!” Lucian cursed.
Despite Paul’s charming facade, Lucian suspected that there was more to Paul than met the eye. He was
convinced hidden motives lay beneath Paul’s polite and refined demeanor.
Yet, Calista was taken with Paul, believing he was an honorable gentleman with no sinister intentions.
He pushed open the car door, ready to confront Paul However, by the time he was prepared to do so.
Calista and Paul had already entered and disappeared at the entrance
Staring at the deserted entrance, Lucian reached for the compartment, retrieved a cigarette and a lighter.
and stepped out of the car.
On the other hand, Paul courteously pulled out a chair for Calista inside the restaurant. Lucian watched Pau do so from a distance, taking a drag from his cigarette, his demeanor growing even colder.
Lucian couldn’t help but let out a sardonic chuckle under his breath He cursed Paul for his duplicity, pretilist, and concealed mul ve
ate covered has gratitude and seed into her chair However, an she leaned forward
Wasn’t it commonly believed that men were naturally skilled in bed? How was it possible that, even after three years, Lucian’s sexual abilities remained so lacking?
After placing their orders and exchanging a few casual pleasantries, Calista finally inquired, “Mrs. Baker, have you ever heard my mother mention the name Jacquez from Apthon before?”
Agnes‘ hand, gripping her cup, tightened slightly.
After a brief pause, she shook her head and replied, “No, I haven’t.”
Calista continued, “During my recent business trip to Apthon with Paul, I met the woman, Julia, who used to visit our home frequently before my mother passed away. She’s the one who brought the painting that mysteriously disappeared after my mom’s death.”
Agnes maintained her composed demeanor as if genuinely unaware of these events. However, she lost her cool when Calista mentioned the Jacquez family’s connection to her recent incidents
Agnes blurted out, “Wait, seriously? Do you think the folks who kidnapped you are from the Jacquez
family? That can’t be right. The current leader of the Jacquez family is their second son, Hugo
Realizing she may have unintentionally revealed too much, Agnes fell silent. After a few seconds, she
awkwardly transitioned to a different topic.
“Calista, let’s chow down first. We can chat about stuff after we’ve filled our bellies.”
Calista pressed further, determined to get to the bottom of her mother’s past.
“Do you know anything about Hugo’s relationship with my mother? He owns the mansion on the hill. Much
of the interior decorations and belongings in the manor were to my mother’s liking. Not to mention, he also came to my rescue during my recent incident in Apthon.”
Calista reflected on the enduring signs of occupancy in the mansion, concluding that they could only have been generated by someone who had lived there for an extended period.
If, as Liam had suggested, the Jacquez family’s connection to her mother was strictly business, these remnants should have naturally faded over time.
Agnes locked eyes with Calista, who met her gaze with unwavering determination. Agnes broke the silence and began.
“You know, I can’t remember your mom ever talking about being with Hugo, but I’ve got this feeling they were more than pals: She’d bring up his name casually now and then. And with him owning that fancy mansion on the hill, my bet is he was your mom’s first love
“She used to hang out there quite a bit. We kept in touch during that phase, and she was there almost all the time. But when she returned to Fort City, she was already hitched to Zachary.”
Agnes interrupted before Calista could finish her sentence, “Your mom didn’t want me spilling the beans. e to keep Before she kicked the bucket, she had a hunch about something and visited me. She begged me
a lid on a secret – not to blab about her previous relationship before tying the knot with your dad. I don’t know why she wanted it that way, but that’s what she wanted on her deathbed.”
Calista grew quiet. She understood the reason behind her mother’s wish. It was because she wasn’t Zachary’s biological child.
Agnes continued, “That’s all I know. Your mother wasn’t the type to spill her guts to anyone. She kept
everything locked up tight.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Baker. That’s sufficient.”
After Calista’s response, a heavy silence hung in the air. Paul, quiet until now, couldn’t contain his
curiosity.
He furrowed his brow and asked earnestly, “Why didn’t you clue me in on what happened in Apthon?”
Calista replied calmly, “I thought discussing it with you would add to the stress. You know, it’s all in the
past now.”
As Calista finished speaking, Agnes suddenly exclaimed, “Oh, dear. Isn’t that Lucian?”
Paul and Calista turned to look out the window, where they spotted Lucian. He was casually leaning. against his car, one hand tucked in his pocket, the other holding a cigarette.
His penetrating gaze cut through the drifting smoke as he silently observed their way. Lucian exuded a powerful and authoritative aura, standing tall and commanding attention.
Calista couldn’t help but feel sympathy for him as he stood there, seemingly alone and possibly hungry. waiting for her.
He seemed almost like a withered flower, yearning for care and attention. With Lucian’s unwavering stare fixed upon them, they couldn’t simply resume their meal as if nothing had happened.
‘Paul, how about you see what Lucian’s up to and why he’s here? If he hasn’t made plans or had a meal, invite him to join us.
Agnes suggested. Paul hesitated to comply, recognizing that Lucian had already planned for this. He was waiting for Paul to take the initiative and ask why he was there.
Lucian probably has plans or business meetings Let’s not disturb him, Paul commented
Agnes glared at him and retorted, “When you bump into someone, it’s just common courtesy to say hi or ask how things are, whether they’ve got plans or not. Who knows, maybe Lucian didn’t come here with any particular agenda.”
Calista kept her eyes on her food, feeling like they treated her like she didn’t exist. Paul noticed Calista’s discomfort and stood up.
“Alright,” he said.
Paul was prepared to go out and see Lucian off, who stood his ground, resembling a statue. It was clear
that this meal was bound to be an uneasy one.
Outside the restaurant, Paul walked up to Lucian, skipping any pleasantries, and ordered, “If you don’t have any plans, leave or stay in the car. Don’t stand here blocking the view. I’ll be driving Calista back later.
Lucian extinguished his cigarette, straightened up, and responded, “Very well. Let’s go.”
Paul found himself taken aback by Lucian’s unexpected cooperation. Just as he was contemplating
Lucian’s unusual behavior, Lucian began walking toward the restaurant.
Reacting swiftly, Paul hastened after him and inquired, “Where are you headed?”
“To dine with you all. Didn’t your mother ask you to come out and invite me to join you guys for lunch?”
Paul turned his head. The restaurant was at least 65 feet away from here, separated by glass
Lucian couldn’t have heard them.
“I can’t believe you read lips,” Paul exclaimed.
s windows.
“No need for lip–reading. A little common sense would have been enough. Don’t rely solely on your sharp wit, engage your brain more, Lucian responded with disdain for Paul, turning away from Agnes and Calista’s view
