Chapter 10

Kaylee's heart tightened.

The Morgans had given her the same education as Alex.

All these years, Alex kept telling her to be grateful to his family, grateful to him.

She'd accepted this.

This was the first time someone had said "whatever the family did for her was the least they could do."

The first time someone suggested it wasn't her who owed the Morgans - they owed her.

Lucy reacted first, repeating her invitation. "I'm so sorry about earlier. Kaylee, please join us for dinner. We're practically family now."

Her voice remained sweet and innocent.

"Kaylee's worked all day, let her go," Alex interjected.

Kaylee found this laughable.

Now he remembered she'd worked all day? Where was this consideration when he ordered her to bring his clothes?

After a long day, she really had no interest in this dinner.

But since Alex didn't want her there, she absolutely had to stay.

"I need dinner anyway, so I'll join you," Kaylee smiled at Lucy.

Alex frowned.

His uncle had suggested this dinner, and he'd only agreed to appease Lucy.

To him, meeting his uncle wasn't really meeting family.

He didn't want Kaylee witnessing this.

The server led them to a private dining room.

The table was intimate, perfectly sized for four.

Kaylee was seated at William's right.

Alex placed his phone by William's left before heading to the restroom to change shirts.

When he returned, Kaylee noticed he'd chosen the tie over the scarf.

The scarf would have been better...

Her thoughts were interrupted by an ornate menu placed before her.

"Order," William said neutrally.

Kaylee's eyes widened at the first page.

A simple appetizer was priced at $88.

These prices...

Kaylee gently pushed the menu away. "I'll have anything."

She couldn't bring herself to order at these prices.

Alex sat across the round table, unsurprised by Kaylee's response. "She's always like this. No point asking - she never has preferences. Always says anything is fine when dining out."

Lucy leaned in, "I do! I'd love this one."

"Sure, I'll order it for you," Alex replied, his voice dripping with affection.

Kaylee gazed at her glass, filled with premium green tea, its clear golden-green liquid shimmering.

She didn't bother defending herself.

William casually flipped through the menu, leaning slightly toward her. "How about the spicy beef? They use M12 wagyu here - it's exceptionally tender."

Kaylee nodded. "Yes, thank you."

William turned a few more pages. "The crispy garlic shrimp looks good too. Would you like that?"

Kaylee nodded again.

Alex watched this entire exchange.

He'd been Kaylee's friend for years, then boyfriend for four more.

She'd always been beautiful, growing more striking with age.

Yet in all these years, he'd never seen her get close to any man.

When guys at school confessed to her, she'd reject them immediately, never giving them a chance.

This was the first time in twenty years he'd seen her interact so comfortably with a man.

Even if it was his uncle.

Even though he knew nothing could happen between them, it bothered him deeply.

This irritation faded when Kaylee agreed to both spicy dishes.

Alex was certain Kaylee couldn't handle spice.

She'd surely embarrass herself.

After ordering, the server came to pour wine.

When he reached Kaylee, she quickly declined. "I have surgery tomorrow, I can't drink."

Both Morgans knew she was performing Anne's surgery, so neither pressed the issue.

As the dishes arrived, Alex spoke up when the spicy wagyu beef was served. "I can't handle any spice, and Lucy doesn't like spicy food either."

He pushed the dish toward William and Kaylee.

Kaylee glanced at William with her fork poised.

"Please, go ahead," William gestured. "We're family here."

Kaylee took a large piece of beef covered in chili sauce and peppercorns, placing it on her plate and eating quietly.

Alex watched intently from across the table.

He was waiting for her to regret her bravado.

But she ate the entire piece without flinching.

Alex shifted uncomfortably. "Kaylee, you can handle spice? How did I never know?"

Kaylee looked up at him. "Mr. Morgan, we're not that close. There's no reason you'd know."

"You're my..." Alex's hands tensed on the table, swallowing the words "girlfriend."

The crispy shrimp arrived just then.

William excused himself to the restroom. Upon returning, he turned to Kaylee, "Would you like some shrimp? I'll peel them for you."

The room fell silent.

Even Kaylee was stunned.

Did William just offer to...

Do that for her?

After a moment, she quickly shook her head. "No need, I can manage." Then, feeling awkward, she added, "Or should I help you instead?"

William picked up a shrimp. "Dr. Lawson's hands are performing surgery on my mother tomorrow. We can't risk any cuts, so allow me."

"It's really fine."

"Anything involving my family's care is important."

As he spoke, he placed a perfectly peeled shrimp on her plate.

Alex watched, seething.

His uncle's explanation was perfectly reasonable, but seeing anyone treat Kaylee this way bothered him deeply.

Lucy, sitting beside Alex, couldn't miss his expression.

"Knock, knock."

A rhythmic tapping broke the awkward atmosphere.

William's assistant entered, whispering something to him.

After the assistant left, William announced, "What a coincidence - Mr. Kingston is dining here too. I've invited him to join us."

Lucy nodded eagerly. "Of course!"

But Alex's face darkened.

He'd only planned to humor Lucy tonight.

If her father met his uncle, it would seem like a meeting of families.

That would make breaking up with Lucy much harder later.