"Do you want me to go back?"

On the first floor was an open kitchen. Murray, wearing a loose white t-shirt, was fiddling with a juicer with his back to the stairs. Hearing movement, he glanced back, "Beef or lamb?"

Emily, moving languidly as if boneless, wrapped her arms around his waist. Glancing at the bright red pomegranate juice in the juicer, she responded casually, "I'm not fond of beef or lamb, so whatever you choose."

Murray's brows furrowed. "So picky." 

Emily wasn't annoyed, just deliberately sighed in a falsetto, "Men are all the same, different faces in and out of bed. Just a few extra words, and you're complaining how demanding I am."

Murray laughed, handing her a glass of pomegranate juice, "Drink it before it oxidizes."

Emily took a big gulp, finishing half the glass, then shook her head, "Don't feel like drinking anymore."

Murray naturally took it from her and finished the remaining half himself, giving her butt a casual pat. "Go change, we're going out to eat."

"It's Thanksgiving today, aren't you going home?" Emily asked, somewhat surprised.

"Do you want me to go back?"

"No!"

"Then go change."

"Yes, sir; what style does Mr. Gibson want?" Emily casually struck a model's pose.

Murray, washing the cup, replied nonchalantly, "Keep it simple. I don't like waiting too long."

"Hmph, men want their women to look stunning and presentable but don't want to wait," Emily complained loudly as she headed upstairs.

Murray smirked, finding Emily's comments quite reasonable.

After tidying the kitchen, he changed into a dark green cashmere cardigan, topped with a black leather and fur parka. He had a preference for unbranded, handcrafted clothing, which made up half of his wardrobe. 

Emily was the same in this regard. She wasn't particularly interested in high-end clothing and bags either, accepting them when Murray gave them as gifts but seldom using them due to her infrequent outings.

In less than ten minutes, Emily came downstairs as well.

Bare-faced, with just a touch of lip glaze on her lips, hair casually tousled over her shoulders. Inside was a camel-colored knee-length form-fitting wool dress, accentuating her slim waist and perky rear.

On top, she wore a double-breasted teddy coat in Chanel beige, the overall look soft and gentle, like an innocent female college student - which she technically still was in her senior year. However, after being someone's lover for so long, she rarely dressed this way anymore.

As she walked down, her natural beauty, accentuated only by the red of her lips, lent her an air of innocent charm with just a hint of seduction.

Murray's eyes flickered with appreciation. He stepped forward, wrapping his arms around her waist, and whispered in her ear, "It's not just men. Aren't you different in and out of bed too?"

Emily playfully glared at him, reaching to swat his hand from her waist, but he caught her hand instead. They walked hand in hand to the elevator, heading to the garage.

Murray chose the most understated vehicle in the garage, a black Mercedes G-Class, in stark contrast to the row of flashy sports cars parked further inside. Emily inwardly smirked at his 'low-key' choice.

On Thanksgiving, even a bustling city like Sandviken seemed quieter than usual. 

They drove smoothly to a private courtyard restaurant downtown and got out.

This was a high-end private kitchen.

Murray parked the car, and they entered the gate together, walking side by side but carefully maintaining an appropriate social distance.

Reaching the entrance, Murray's phone rang. "Go ahead in first."

Emily murmured an "okay" and went into the restaurant first.

The dining hall, surrounded by mountains on three sides and water on one, offered the best views to the south. 

Perhaps due to the holiday, Emily looked around and saw only a middle-aged couple at the table to the left of the southern side, nobody else. She took the initiative to pick the spot next to them. 

The server had just brought the menu when Emily smiled and said she was waiting for someone. Then she saw Murray walk in.

Just then, Murray walked in. With his long strides, he quickly reached her table, but then, to her surprise, he turned and headed toward the middle-aged couple.

The tables weren't too far apart, so Emily heard him call out, "Uncle Ford, Aunt Rita, long time no see."

Emily gave a self-deprecating laugh, pressing the sensor light on the table. The server quickly came over.

"Has your companion arrived, miss?"

"No need to wait; it's just me."

The waiter considerately recommended the restaurant's signature dishes. Emily smiled calmly, leaving it all to him.

With few guests, the dishes were served quickly. Emily began eating by herself, focused on her meal, yet snippets of the conversation from the next table drifted to her ears.

The middle-aged woman's voice: "It's Thanksgiving today; how come you're here alone?"

Murray: "A client wanted some fine dining recommendations, so I came to check out places. I saw Uncle Ford and Aunt Rita, so I said hello."

The middle-aged man commented, "You're hands-on even with these little things. No wonder you're so successful! I met your uncle at the horse club recently. He mentioned your successful acquisition of the electrical company. Congratulations!"

Murray: "You flatter me; it wasn't solely my efforts. Without family backing me up, I couldn't have accomplished something major alone." 

"Times change; we old folks should step aside for the younger generation," the man said.

"don't talk about such dull business matters on Thanksgiving." The woman Murray called aunt said with a laugh.

"Isn't Stacey coming home for Thanksgiving?" Murray asked, standing up to pour a drink for the couple.

Emily gave a mocking laugh. This was her first time seeing Murray so humble and courteous - trying to become a son-in-law wasn't easy after all.

Rita replied warmly, "She's traveling in Africa and should return in a few days."

"Hope she stays this time. I envy Stacey's free-spirited life."

Sounding increasingly irritated, Ford Zechariah said, "Hmph, I call it unfilial. She's our only daughter, and if she were as outstanding as you, I could have retired long ago."

"Uncle, my siblings and I grew up listening to Grandfather praise Stacey enviously. Her excellence is obvious to all; don't be so modest."

"Hahaha, well said, my boy." Ford Zechariah clearly approved, laughing uncontrollably for a while.

Emily rolled her eyes discreetly, thinking, "Tch, how excellent can she be, still just a human with two arms and legs."

Just then, a hesitant voice broke her thoughts, "Hello, may I sit here?"