Chapter 81

At 10 p.m., North steeled herself and knocked on Gerald’s study room door.

The next moment, she heard his cool voice. “Come in.”

North served him a glass of milk. “Mr. Gerald, Steward asked me to serve you this.”

Gerald eyed the glass of milk and asked pointedly, “Mrs. Howard, have you heard of this phrase?”

North was taken aback. She subconsciously asked, “What?”

“There’s no such thing as a free lunch.”

North’s cheeks turned red. “What on earth are you talking about?! I’m just showing concern!”

Gerald smiled wordlessly.

North felt her skin crawl. Despite this, she put that thought away and shamelessly asked, “You said you could bring me to the banquet. Does that still stand?”

Gerald smiled lightly. “I remember you turning me down.”

North looked down with reddening cheeks. “I’ve reconsidered. I shouldn’t let you handle the situation alone. What happens if the Lane family pulls another dirty trick and forces you to marry Jane? I should go with you.”

There was a long