Chapter 420

Reginald arrived unannounced at Everett's place, completely unprepared to find Rosalind there. His eyebrows shot up when he spotted her.

Rosalind immediately stepped back from Everett, cheeks flushing pink. She offered Reginald a warm smile. "Hello, I'm Rosalind Fairchild."

Reginald's face broke into a grin. "Reginald Whitmore. Nice to meet you. Everett, you sly dog - since when did you get a girlfriend?"

Everett shook his head sharply. "She's not my girlfriend."

"I absolutely am!" Rosalind declared with a radiant smile that made Everett's jaw tighten.

Reginald burst out laughing. "Everett Sinclair, I had you pegged as a lifelong bachelor. All those girls throwing themselves at you in college and you never glanced twice. Now I understand - you were just waiting for someone like Rosalind here. She's in a completely different league."

Everett set down the cooking tongs with deliberate calm. "Outside. Now."

They moved into the backyard where Everett cut straight to the point. "What do you want?"

Reginald's expression darkened. "It's about Phantom - he's surfaced."

The name sent a chill down Everett's spine. The notorious drug lord who had executed his undercover agent father years ago. The man Everett had been hunting ever since.

A gust of wind whipped Everett's black tee against his torso as his eyes turned glacial. "Understood."

He turned to go back inside.

Reginald caught his arm. "She's gorgeous, by the way."

Everett's jaw clenched. "I told you, she's not my girlfriend."

"Cut the crap," Reginald scoffed. "We've been friends since basic training. You don't let women get that close unless you're interested. The only reason you'd push her away is because you think you don't deserve her. What is it - the rich girl thing?"

Everett's silence spoke volumes before he finally muttered, "She deserves better than what I can give."

Reginald rolled his eyes. "Beautiful, wealthy, clearly obsessed with you - and you're telling me you're not interested? That girl looks at you like you hung the damn moon."

Everett's expression remained unreadable. "Get lost."

Back inside, Rosalind looked up from setting the table. "Did Reginald leave already?"

Everett gave a curt nod. "Had things to do."

Margaret, who had been observing quietly, remarked, "That boy always brings gifts but never stays for meals."

Everett carried the dishes to the table. "Dinner's ready."

Rosalind didn't hesitate to take her seat. Everett had prepared braised ribs - Lillian's favorite. He carefully placed a piece in his sister's bowl first.

"Thank you, Everett," Lillian beamed.

As Everett withdrew his hand, he found Rosalind pushing her bowl toward him with hopeful eyes.

"Give Rosalind some too!" Lillian insisted immediately.

Under their dual expectant gazes, Everett served Rosalind a generous portion.

The first bite had Rosalind's eyes widening in delight. She'd watched Everett cook this dish before but never expected it to taste this incredible.

"This is amazing!" she exclaimed, unable to contain her pleasure.

Margaret smiled warmly. "You should visit more often and let Everett cook for you."

Rosalind locked eyes with Everett. "Count on it."

As they finished eating, a deafening thunderclap shook the windows, followed by the sudden drumming of torrential rain against the glass.