Turning Of the Tide by Diana Sander

Chapter 52

After a while, they arrived at Grand Manor

The three of them got out of the taxi, with Sherri and Natalie sitting in the backseat while Edward took

the passenger seat.

After paying the fare, Natalie went to the trunk to retrieve the luggage but was stopped by a slender

hand. Tll do it. It’s a bit heavy.”

In fact. Edward had more than just one suitcase. He had several boxes, but he had asked Kyle to send

them home. This particular suitcase contained gifts for the two girls. It was a bit large and held some

valuable items. Edward wanted to give the gifts himself.

Sherri walked up to the reception desk and presented her reservation confirmation message to the

staff.

Shortly after, an employee guided them to a private dining room on the 8th floor.

“Edward, you’re back!” a woman exclaimed when she saw Edward. There was a hint of surprise in her

tone.

Edward didn’t show much expression and politely exchanged greetings with the woman. “Yes, I just

returned today.”

Natalie observed the woman for a moment. She noticed the woman’s designer clothing, immaculate

makeup, and even the intricate patterns on her nails.

While Natalie didn’t know who she was, judging by her attire and manner of speaking, as well as her

acquaintance with the Landor family, she was undoubtedly an heiress from a wealthy family.

From the tone of their greeting, it was evident that they were familiar with each other.

Natalie wasn’t materialistic and didn’t have a preference for designer brands. However, she had Sherri

as her best friend, who happened to have a strong affinity for luxury handbags, clothes, and watches.

Her explanation was, “I’m just an ordinary person.”

Being exposed to it frequently gradually influenced her taste and perception.

It was similar to how someone could become knowledgeable in a particular field after being exposed to

it for a long time.

Mia shifted her gaze to Sherri and Natalie. “Sherri, long time no see. I just came back a few days ago

and have been busy, so I didn’t get a chance to meet up with you. Let’s have afternoon tea together

sometime.”

Sherri replied. “I’ve been quite busy too.” She was indeed busy and didn’t lie, but Mia perceived it as an

excuse.

Mia continued to smile and displayed her impeccable manners as a heiress. “I saw that you even went

live recently. That’s impressive. My parents praised you.”

Mia glanced up and down at Natalie with a hint of disdain. She disdained Natalie for going out without

makeup, what audacity. Nevertheless, she maintained a smile. “And this… is she your girlfriend,

Edward?”

Natalie knew Mia was referring to her, but she didn’t want to bother with someone she didn’t know.

Moreover, she could. sense the disdainful look in Mia’s eyes, indicating that they would have no

interaction in the future. “Edward, I’ll go to the private room first,” Natalie said.

“Sure, Sherri, you can go in as well. I’m sorry, Mia. I’m a bit hungry after just getting off the plane, so I’ll

dine first,” Edward responded with polite words, but there was a clear sense of distance.

“Alright, let’s meet up next time. It’s been a long time since we hung out together. We can invite Trevon

as well, Mia replied. Edward simply nodded before leaving.

In the adjacent private room, Mia, with her refined manners as an heiress, sat gracefully next to the

relaxed man. “Guess who I saw just now,” Mia said amusingly.

Trevon lazily leaned back in his chair, smoking, and didn’t bother to answer. Frank followed suit,

sharing the same indifference.

Only Hackett showed some courtesy and asked, “Who was it?” After all, Mia was his cousin, and he

had to show some respect.

Today’s meal was organized by Mia. Hackett’s uncle, who happened to be Mia’s father, recently used

some connections to purchase a piece of land in Athana. Coincidentally, the officials of Athana wanted

to develop that area into a commercial street and amusement park, involving a wide range of plans.

Trevon wanted to secure the project and work on it with Frank Unfortunately, one-third of the land was

purchased by Mia’s father. So today, he sent Mia for the negotiation instead of showing up himself. His

implication was clear. He wanted to avoid Trevon.

As for Hackett, he was just a tool.

He was a companion for eating, drinking, and escorting Mia.

“I just went to the restroom and saw Edward. He said he just arrived. Ile is in the adjacent private room.

Quite a coincidence, don’t you think?”

Trevon didn’t respond to her remark.

Mia didn’t mind his temperament. She understood that he held grudges after eight years apart, but she

was confident they could reconcile and start anew.

This piqued Hackett’s curiosity. “Oh, Edward is back? I should go and meet him. Trevon, you’ve been

at odds with him for so many years. Isn’t it time to reconcile? Why did Edward suddenly return after two

years abroad?”

Trevon’s business overlapped with the Landor family’s in many areas, leading to a longstanding rivalry

between them. They had been engaged in behind-the-scenes competition, and their relationship was

good.

On the surface, they maintained courtesy.

However, they were far from courteous to each other behind closed doors.

Trevon remained silent. His purpose today was solely about land transfer, nothing else. Lately, he had

been occasionally meeting up with Mia, but it had been several days since he tasted Natalie’s cooking.

Feeling a craving, he suggested coming to the Grand Manor and specifically requested the chef they

had last time.

Meanwhile, Edward opened his suitcase before the dishes were served. He turned to Natalie and said,

“Natalie, I might have to go back home after we finish eating. I have a lot of work at the company

tomorrow, so I might not be able to see you. Let me give you the gift first.”

Natalie felt a bit embarrassed and wanted to refuse, but when the suitcase was opened, she was

shocked deep down. Edward always knew what she liked. “Edward, how did you manage to buy this

helmet?” Natalie asked.

Sherri, who was standing aside, looking for her own gift. She then exclaimed, “Damn, you managed to

get this? And with an autograph too Natalie, this is way cooler than Mr. Roberts’s one.”

Sherri still remembered how her best friend adored the helmet Mr. Roberts had last time.

Before Natalie could snap out of her obsession with her coveted helmet, Edward handed her a pair of

limited-edition boxing gloves and sportswear.

Natalie was about to say that they were too expensive.

Then, Edward interrupted her, “You can’t refuse. It’s a brother giving gifts to his sister. Why would you

burden yourself with such thoughts?”

She obediently responded with a simple “Okay” and accepted the gifts.

Sherri became unhappy. “What about mine? What did you buy for me?” she asked, rummaging through

the suitcase. “Everything in the suitcase is for you. Stop searching and take it all, Edward replied. After

finishing with Natalie’s gifts, he stood up and pushed the suitcase toward Sherri.

Upon seeing the contents left in the suitcase, Sherri fell silent. Her face was filled with exasperation.

Not because she didn’t like them, but because she felt her brother didn’t put much thought into the

gifts. The items in the suitcase were all things she liked. “Edward, can you be more thoughtful with my

gifts? Look, they are all bags, perfumes, and cosmetics.” Edward looked at his sister’s face and asked

her seriously, “Do you have any other hobbies apart from these?”

Sherri gulped and admitted that she didn’t have any other hobbies.

She simply loved bags, watches, and cosmetics. She wasn’t interested in cars since she wasn’t skilled

at driving either.

“What about my watch? Why didn’t you buy it?”

*I let Kyle send it home. You get it yourself tonight.”

Sherri was delighted now. The watch was something she had been longing for, so she immediately

sent a picture of it to her brother, asking him to bring it back for her. She also sent numerous cute and

flattering emojis.

“You’re the best, Edward. Love you, mwah!”

At that moment, the waiter came in to serve the dishes, and soon the table was filled with an array of

food.

Edward calmly put on gloves and began to crack open the crabs, meticulously removing the meat and

placing it in front of

Natalie.

Sherri didn’t think much of it. Whenever they dined with Edward, he would instinctively put on gloves

and help them with the shelled seafood. However, he would always serve Natalie first before her.

Despite Sherri asking Edward several times, Edward would always say that Natalie was the youngest.

However, Sherri and Natalie were actually the same age, with Sherri being three days older. In ancient

times, even a one-day age difference could be considered significant when it came to matters like

establishing hierarchy or seniority.

Natalie reminded him, “Edward, you should eat first. Sherri and I can handle it ourselves.”

But he didn’t listen as if this behavior had become a habit. He believed it was necessary to prepare the

food before eating, and he continued meticulously cracking open the shells.

Natalie decided not to stop him anymore. After all the years of being with Edward, she understood his

personality well. Once he set his mind on something, no amount of persuasion could change it. He

would follow his own way and finish his

routine.

Natalie quietly enjoyed her meal, and when she came across the delicious sweet and sour sausages,

she turned the plate towards Edward and said, “This is delicious. Edward, you should try it

He elegantly wiped his hands, picked up his fork, and took a bite. Indeed, this chef’s skill is similar to

yours. Is he from Athana?”

Natalie paused for a moment. She was surprised that Edward’s first reaction was also about the chef’s

hometownL

Was this truly an observation point for successful individuals?

She made a mental note to inquire about it another day.

“I don’t know. I haven’t asked. They might be from a culinary training region, similar to where our

household staff is trained. Natalie replied.

Edward didn’t dwell on the topic and didn’t engage in further conversation about it.