Chapter 77: The Sister’s Springtime

Chapter 77: Chapter 77: The Sister’s Springtime

With a larger crowd than the day before, Daniel certainly wouldn’t let a pregnant man like Liam handle everything himself. He decisively brought over a five-star head chef and a team of sous chefs from his restaurant.

The restaurant currently had three head chefs, all of whom were loyalists to the Mason family. Though they were chefs, one shouldn’t underestimate them. Mr. Mason had selected them from the elite soldiers who previously served under Ethan Mason, meaning their loyalty was absolute.

The one dispatched was a young Beta, one of the three.

When the Martinez family arrived, this chef was putting on a wok-tossing performance for Leonardo’s group. This Beta’s physique was as tall and muscular as an Alpha’s. Every time he forcefully tossed the food high and swirled the wok, the muscles across his body bulged, rippling with vitality.

The moment Isabella’s eyes fell on that figure, they were glued to it, unable to pull away. Even when Liam called out to her several times, she paid no attention.

Benjamin and Liam: "..." Oh no, has Isabella fallen in love at first sight?

Isabella was twenty-two this year. At her age, girls would have usually experienced at least a few romances. But Isabella was different. Orphaned young and having to struggle alongside her older brother to make a living, she had never had the time to think about romantic relationships. She had also never felt a special flutter for anyone.

For some reason today, looking at that tall man, Isabella’s heart suddenly raced. The man couldn’t be considered extremely handsome, only slightly good-looking. But the strong aura he exuded and his focused gaze while working captivated Isabella’s eyes. She just kept staring at him without blinking.

Sebastian was a soldier; his senses were extremely sharp. He had felt a gaze fixed on him from earlier, then one gaze multiplied into three, then five, six, seven... More and more people were looking at him. These stares weren’t the appreciative looks Leonardo’s group gave him, but held a probing quality, like evaluating a piece of merchandise.

Being stared at like this for the first time made Sebastian’s nerves a bit tense. He quickly finished stir-frying a plate of sweet mustard greens, plated it, and turned off the stove. Sebastian leisurely used the towel around his neck to wipe his sweat, then slowly turned his head.

Looking from a forty-five-degree angle earlier wasn’t very clear, but now looking face-on, Isabella’s face suddenly burned hot.

This man possessed a physique so perfect it made one hold their breath. His shoulders were extremely broad and solid, combining with a trim, firm waist to form a standard inverted triangle proportion. The thin T-shirt seemingly couldn’t conceal his muscular chest and the hard, bulging muscles flexing after a bout of exertion. The layer of sweat soaked the fabric, faintly outlining the firm, explosive abdominal muscles hidden beneath.

The aura forged in a military environment permeated his every gesture, making his posture always as straight as a pine tree standing tall in a storm. On his tanned arms with sleeves rolled up high, green veins bulged along his forearms in a wildly untamed manner, bringing both a cold asceticism and an explosive burst of masculine hormones.

His facial features were extremely angular, his sharp jawline exuding a resolute air. Beneath thick eyebrows were deep, tranquil, yet incredibly sharp eyes of someone who had braved life and death.

Unlike the flashy, polished beauty of noble young masters, Sebastian exuded a rugged, powerful air and an absolute sense of security. That flawlessly robust physique and overwhelming masculinity acted like a powerful magnet, slamming fiercely into Isabella’s racing heart, leaving her so dazed she forgot to blink.

Never mind Isabella being captivated at first sight, even Liam and Benjamin, who were watching with critical eyes, couldn’t find a single fault.

"Why are... everyone staring at me?" Sebastian asked hesitantly, a bit bewildered.

Before Liam and Benjamin could stop her, Isabella’s feet moved faster than her brain, walking straight up to Sebastian. Isabella was slender, considered tall among women. But standing in front of Sebastian, she looked like a sparrow standing before an eagle.

Sebastian looked down, blinking at the beautiful girl in front of him, seemingly not understanding why she had approached him. Isabella twisted her hands together, asking shyly:

"Um... my name is Isabella Martinez, I’m 22 years old this year, with D+ mental power, and unmarried. Could I get to know you?"

Sebastian: "..."

Sebastian was dumbfounded for a moment, then seemingly understood what the girl in front of him meant. His slightly dark face slowly turned red, becoming somewhat flustered and not knowing what to do. He scratched his head, stammering:

"S-S-Sebastian Clark, 25 years old, B-grade mental power. I was a soldier before, now a chef, with a base salary of twenty million silver stars. I have parents above me, and a Beta younger brother below me. I, I also don’t, don’t, don’t have a partner..."

By the last sentence, Sebastian’s entire body was as red as a boiled shrimp. Isabella put her hands behind her back, slightly rising on the toes of one foot, twisting them against the ground: "My family farms, but that isn’t my main job. I’m a handicraft vlog channel owner, my current income is thirty million silver stars... a day. I want to ask... um... well... can I pursue you?"

Originally still shy, upon hearing Isabella’s salary, Sebastian’s entire body froze stiff. His monthly salary wasn’t even equal to one day of hers. Moreover, Sebastian only now recalled she had introduced herself with the surname Martinez.

Her older brother was an Alpha who could film, her younger brother could do business, and she herself was so good at making money... Although Sebastian felt a slight flutter for this pretty little girl, thinking of her family background, then back to his own, he somewhat shrank back.

Daniel had been staring fixedly at Sebastian. Seeing him transition from initial shyness to embarrassment, his back slightly hunched, his hands clenched tight at his sides, Daniel suddenly shouted loudly:

"Sebastian! Did you forget you’re being promoted to restaurant manager next month? The restaurant manager’s base salary is fifty million silver stars a month, plus a 5% commission!"

Sebastian was dazed, turning to look at Daniel as if asking, how much is five percent? Liam discreetly shot a glance at Daniel, then spoke up to answer in his stead:

"My 20% revenue came to 60 billion silver stars, try calculating how much 5% is?"

Sebastian swallowed, calculating mentally. 20% is 60 billion, so 100% is 300 billion. 5% of this 300 billion is 15 billion...

"I agree!" Sebastian straightened his spine, looking at Isabella with joyful eyes. Then, feeling it wasn’t quite right to let a girl actively pursue him, Sebastian lowered his voice: "Then... then can I pursue you?"

Everyone burst into laughter; Isabella giggled shyly, covering her mouth. Her eyes crinkling, she said: "Of course you can."

The two just gazed affectionately at each other, pink bubbles rising around them. The crowd who had been standing around watching the fun suddenly lost all their excitement.

Damn it, we haven’t even eaten yet, why do we feel so stuffed?

Everyone immediately dispersed, each going back to their own work. Liam leaned in close to Leonardo:

"Help me investigate this person’s background, as thoroughly as possible. Besides his character, you must investigate his family members’ character as well, including paternal and maternal relatives for at least three generations."

Leonardo was speechless: "The two of them have only just gotten to know each other, and you’re already calculating long-term? What if they find out they’re not compatible after getting to know each other?"

Liam smirked: "Did you forget what our surname is?"

Leonardo rolled his eyes: "Alright, alright! I remember! Martinez combined with Vance, creating three Waddling Bugs crossed with Armored Bugs! One million silver stars, results in half a day."

He didn’t know if Isabella and Benjamin were as sinister as Liam, but in terms of stubbornness, the three siblings of this family were exactly the same!

Liam raised his hand in an OK gesture. Leonardo immediately turned and went into the house, opening his smart watch to message someone. Liam withdrew his gaze from Leonardo, catching sight of his older brother standing by a pile of meat skewers.

Benjamin was looking down at the pile of meat, but his eyes were unfocused, his mind seemingly not there. Liam walked over to him, tilting his head to ask:

"Brother, do you have any objections to Sister finding a boyfriend on her own?"

Benjamin returned to his senses, shaking his head: "No. Isabella has suffered a lot; she should also find her own happiness. As long as the guy’s character is good and he treats her well, I have no objections."

Liam continued asking in a low voice: "Then what about you? Do you like Daniel? Do you want to take another step forward?"

Benjamin pursed his lips without speaking, a trace of bitterness appearing in the depths of his eyes. A long while later, he finally said hoarsely:

"I am not worthy..."