RedNovelZachary met her gaze, catching the lively spark and mischievous glint in her eyes.
He couldn’t help but smile fondly, nose twitching as he actually managed to na few herbs aloud.
Alessia’s lips curved in a sly grin, but she offered no comment. She led him through twisting corridors, turning
left and right, until they stopped before an unremarkable wooden door.
The door stood slightly ajar. Through the crack, they could spot an elderly man sprawled out in a worn armchair,
lazily waving a fan and occasionally humming along to the radio’s scratchy tunes. A small table beside him was
piled high with cakes and snacks-he looked utterly content.
Out of politeness, Zachary barely glanced inside before looking away, careful not to
intrude.
Alessia pressed a finger to her lips, signaling for silence. Zachary obediently stepped back behind her. But
instead of entering immediately, Alessia waited for her moment. As soon as the old man popped another snack
into his mouth, she flung the door wide open.
“Caught you red-handed, Old Dawson! Sneaking snacks again, are we?” Alessia’s sudden voice startled the old
man, who instinctively hid the treats behind his back. “What snacks? | don’t see any snacks.”
Alessia gave a cold laugh. “Why don’t you swallow those chips in your mouth first before you deny it?”
Busted, Xander Dawson straightened up in his chair. Alessia picked up the teapot, skillfully brewed a cup, and set
it in front of him-courteous, but not exactly overflowing with warmth.
Xander, having just finished his chips and feeling a bit parched, took a long sip. The tea was good, and he had to
admit, the girl knew what she was doing. He nodded, savoring the lingering taste.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt“Hand them over,” Alessia said, palm outstretched and expression stern.
“Hand what over? You imp! You barely cby to visit your old man, I'm lucky if | see you twice in a whole
summer!” Xander feigned ignorance, grumbling about her neglect.
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Chapter 22
“Still want those pastries from Blossom Bakery?” Alessia shot back.
At this, Xander snorted. “You didn’t bring anything, did you? Trying to trick your old granddad now, are you?”
Alessia rolled her eyes. “Hand over the snacks, and | promise I'm not lying. Zachary,
you can cin now.”
Hearing his cue, Zachary finally stepped inside, a pastry box in his hands.
“Mr. Dawson,” he greeted, holding out the box.
At the sound of his voice, Xander turned. Their eyes met, and Zachary nearly fumbled the box. He glanced at
Alessia, then back at Xander, disbelief written all over his face.
“Xander...”
“Easy, Zachary. No need to be nervous,” Alessia said, patting his shoulder and taking the box from him.
Zachary swallowed hard, suddenly unsure what to do with his hands and feet, his eyes still shining with a hint of
awe and reverence.
“So, you only show up when you need something, huh?” Xander said, sizing up Zachary but really addressing
Alessia.
“We genuinely cto see you, too,” Alessia replied, handing over the pastries. As Xander accepted them, she
deftly snatched the hidden snacks from behind his back.
Xander’s eyes widened in protest, but he could only watch helplessly.
“Con, didn’t | have Cole bring you sother treats already? These are all greasy and loaded with calories.
For a retired doctor, you sure don’t watch what you eat.”
“What do you know, kid? I'm halfway to the grave already-every snack could be my
last!”
“That's why I'm here to pull that ‘half-foot’ right back out for you,” Alessia retorted, making Xander chuckle
despite himself.
Unable to keep a straight face any longer, Xander turned his attention to Zachary.
“Letintroduce you-this is my brother, Zachary.”
“Now hang on, girl, | might be old but
I'm not senile. Sinerign dod’
I
havea Th&ohtent is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
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F357
Chapter 22
brother?”
“It's complicated. Something
happened, and | need fou to fake
lqokat hing” Yh content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
At this, Xander flopped back into his chair, looking as lazy as ever.
“What are the symptoms?”
“He's had it since birth—weak
constitution.” Alessia rattled off afew
more details, peppered ith iedica
i& gon. PaRary managed to keep his
surprise in check, his face giving
nothing away. The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
“Why don’t you just grab smedicine from the dispensary out front, then?”
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