Chapter 377

Lucas and the bodyguards positioned nearby fought valiantly not to laugh out loud, their faces contorting with the effort of suppression. Never before had they witnessed their formidable boss reduced to such pathetic attempts at charm, only to achieve the exact opposite effect.

While Briggs maintained his courteous facade, his internal monologue ran wild with speculation. What exactly was wrong with this wealthy, Bentley-driving eccentric? Why did he keep flashing those unsettling grins at a simple old man?

That awkward, almost predatory smile sent chills down Briggs’ spine. Dark thoughts crept into his mind—perhaps this powerful man harbored unusual preferences for elderly gentlemen. But logic quickly dismissed the notion. If that were the case, surely someone of Merlin’s stature would have access to more refined options than a humble restaurant owner.

After extensive mental deliberation, Briggs reached the only reasonable conclusion: Merlin had completely lost his marbles.

Meanwhile, Hailee remained unaware of the comedy of errors unfolding in the dining room as she worked diligently in the kitchen. Questions swirled through her mind like autumn leaves in a storm. What had really brought Merlin here tonight? Surely he hadn’t traveled across town just to sample her spaghetti. A man of his means could indulge in the finest cuisine the world had to offer—why would he lower himself to visit this modest establishment?

The uncomfortable thought began to crystallize in her mind. Had he come for her? Anxiety flooded her system like ice water through her veins. If he asked her again to be his woman, her answer would remain unchanged. She had sworn a sacred oath never to entangle herself with wealthy men again. Not just wealthy men—no men at all. Boris had carved out a piece of her soul when he betrayed her, leaving behind a wound that refused to heal. Love had become a foreign concept, marriage an impossibility. She had built walls around her heart that no man would ever breach again. The only guarantee against heartbreak was complete emotional isolation.

Then, fear crept in. What if her rejection ignited Merlin’s fury? What if humiliation transformed him into something dangerous? If he dared to force her compliance, she would fight with every breath in her body—though the thought of her father becoming collateral damage in such a confrontation terrified her beyond measure.

The spiral of worry consumed her thoughts until she could bear it no longer. Her trembling fingers found her phone, and she dialed Elliana’s number with desperate urgency.

The connection sparked to life almost instantly, Elliana’s melodic voice floating through the speaker. “Hailee, darling, what’s happening?” Hailee pressed the phone closer to her ear, her voice dropping to barely above a whisper to avoid detection. “Elliana, Merlin just walked into my dad’s eatery for spaghetti.”

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“I’m already aware,” Elliana replied with surprising composure. Confusion painted itself across Hailee’s features. “How could you possibly know? Did he inform you beforehand?”

Elliana’s gentle laughter rippled through the phone as she unraveled the entire situation, her explanation culminating in reassurance. “So you can breathe easy now, sweetheart. Merlin has no intention of harming you. He’s there to help you reclaim your dignity in front of the Craig family.”

Relief crashed over Hailee like a tidal wave. After ending the call, she peered cautiously toward the dining room, her heart hammering against her ribs like a caged bird. She had never imagined Merlin would orchestrate such elaborate plans on her behalf. The realization struck her with uncomfortable clarity—despite their

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