The True Heiress's Return

Shakira leaned in and pushed the bowl of chicken soup toward Walter's desk. "Mr. Lopez, this soup took the chef over an hour to make! It smells so good!"

Walter didn't even look at it, maintaining his emotionless face. "Are you thinking of cleaning the floor?"

Shakira quickly scooted the soup back, worried that he'd sweep it off the table with a flick of his wrist, leaving her to mop up the mess. "Mr. Lopez, you didn't eat anything for dinner. Aren't you hungry? Or is there something you want to eat? I can make it for you?" He remained indifferent. "No appetite."

She almost wanted to smack the back of his head. She thought, 'Seriously, he was acting all cool just because he had no appetite.'

Thinking for a moment, she suddenly blurted out, "Is it because I bit down too hard last night? Does your neck.hurt, which is why you have no appetite?"

Walter lost words.

"Cough!" Beside him, Brian nearly lost his balance. He thought, "What on earth was Ms. Nelson saying? Those were some bold words...

Walter shot her a cold, piercing look. Shakira quickly waved her hands, laughing nervously, "Haha, I was just kidding."

Suddenly, a thought struck her. "Got it! I know just what to make you have appetite." With that, she surprisingly moved to push Walter's wheelchair and headed for the door.

Brian was completely stunned, never expecting Shakira to take Walter out like this. "Where are you taking him, Ms. Nelson?"

Shakira replied, "To get some good food, of course."

Brian said, "But it's almost ten..." He thought, 'Unless there was an emergency, Mr. Lopez was usually very punctual with his routine.'

Shakira was already huffing and puffing as she navigated Walter into the elevator. She waved dismissively, "He can't sleep on an empty stomach! I promise to feed him well and get him back. Brian, you can head home."

Brian wanted to protest, but seeing that Walter had a stern expression but wasn't stopping her or showing any signs of anger, he could only back down. He thought, 'Maybe Mr. Lopez wanted Ms. Nelson to cheer him up.

Shakira was quick and didn't even wait for Levi to arrange a car. She pushed Walter to the parking garage, found the most inconspicuous business car, and drove off.

Walter sneered coldly as he watched her clumsily trying to figure out the buttons on the steering wheel. "You don't know how to drive and you want to kidnap me?"

"I just haven't driven in a while," Shakira shot back, and suddenly she realized something. "Hey, buckle your seatbelt,"Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

Walter turned his head, looking like a grumpy old man, completely ignoring her words.

Clenching her fists, Shakira thought, 'You really don't care about your own safety, do you?' But then noticing the unmistakable mark on his neck from last night, she remembered how she'd pushed her luck without him throwing her out... With a little pout, she climbed over the center console and buckled him in.

Her warmth instantly enveloped him, and last night's vivid memories flooded back into Walter's mind. Instinctively, he held his breath, his body tensing up reflexively. He sat still as if waiting for something.

6%

With a click, Shakira crawled back to the driver's seat. Walter gradually realized what had just happened, and his entire face turned dark. He thought, 'Damn it!'

Shakira didn't notice the change in the man's face. She started the car and said, "Hold on tight, Mr. Lopez! I'm taking you to get something delicious!" With that, the car roared to life and shot forward.

Shakira drove to a food street in the old downtown area of Crescentville. It was already late at night, yet the place was still bright and buzzing with people.

Shakira parked the car, jumped out, and quickly walked around to Walter's side. Pulling a mask from her pocket, she glanced at his stunningly handsome face. "This might help us stay a little under the radar?" That face was way too striking for a small market.

Walter frowned, showing his clear distaste. "Shakira, you're getting bolder by the day."

"Hehe, that confidence definitely comes from you, Mr. Lopez." She was quite skilled at taking advantage of situations like this.

Walter huffed, his expression as unreadable as ever. Shakira pushed him into the crowd, expertly navigating through the throngs of people at the night market, carefully steering him away from anyone who bumped into them. They turned left and right, fmally entering a narrow alleyway. Inside was a small food stand converted from a residential home.

Shakira skillfully pushed him to a quieter corner and got him settled in. She called out, "Hey there, can we get an order of Sopa de Lima?"

"Shakira?" The owner, holding a menu, came out of the kitchen, her face lighting up at the sight of Shakira's bright smile. "It's been so long! Where have you been?"

"I just had to leave Crescentville for a bit, but I'm back now and here to support your business," Shakira replied enthusiastically.

"I was starting to think you'd forgotten about us..." The owner hesitated, then turned her attention to Walter. Even in a wheelchair, he exuded an air that was hard to approach.

"The menu's right here, you can also order through our phone..." The owner stepped closer to Shakira, her gaze teasing. "Is this your new boyfriend?"

Caught off guard, Shakira quickly waved her hands. "No, no! This is my boss! I'll just order for us!"

"Alright, just let me know when you two are ready, and I'll get your food fast." The owner was called away by other customers, and Shakira let out a sigh of relief.

As she turned around, she met Walter's icy glare, as if he could freeze her in place with just a look. "New boyfriend, huh? You're quite the charmer, Ms. Nelson. Guess your romantic history is rich."

"No way! I'm always single." Shakira emphasized, "It means I haven't dated anyone."

Walter looked like he didn't believe her at all.

Ignoring his skepticism, Shakira busily placed her order, not bothering to ask him what he wanted. Instead, she grabbed some napkins and expertly wiped the table, pouring hot water into bowls." Seeing how at ease she was with everything in the place only made Walter more restless.

Suddenly, he blurted, "You used to come here with Joe, right?"

Shakira froze for a moment. "How do you know that?"

Walter's face twisted into a mocking smile. "So you're finally admitting it."

"Ah, no! It's not like that! I didn't bring him here; he followed me!" Shakira continued fiddling with the utensils, meticulously pouring boiling water over Walter's bowl twice.

"I used to work here, back when Joe was always following me around. You were the first one I brought here. Don't worry, Mr. Lopez; the owner is super nice. She washes all the dishes herself every day after closing up." Hearing her say that he was the first, Walter's icy demeanor eased a bit.

As soon as she finished speaking, the owner came out with Sopa de Lima. "I made this just how you liked it, Shakira."

Shakira quickly helped her out, "Thanks!"

Walter stared at the soup in front of him, the fragrant sour aroma wafting up, making his throat tighten.

Shakira noticed right away, her eyes brightening. "Looks like you've got an appetite now!"

Walter raised an eyebrow, "How do you know I like this?"

Shakira started eating. "Of course I do! I noticed that you tend to go for the tangy and sour dishes when we eat."

Walter fixed his sharp gaze on her flushed face as the steam from the soup kissed her cheeks. "Care About My Tastes So Much?"