Ellison And Joycelyn: A Love Beyond The Rules

Chapter 30 Chapter 30 In the restaurant, the group started by raising their glasses to Aurelia, toasting her promotion. After that, they chatted for at little while.

During the conversation, it was mostly Selene and Aurelia who were talking excitedly, with Selene treating Ronny like an old friend. She wasn't shy about venting her frustrations with Linda, almost as if she were enjoying a sense of triumph "Ronny, you can't tell anyone about this, okay? I still need to work under her," Selene whispered conspiratorially. "Don't worry. I haven't heard a thing." Ronny replied with a smile, playing the role of waiter.

He would occasionally join in the conversation, but mostly focused on cutting the steaks. With a fork in one hand and a knife in the other, his movements were precise and graceful.

"Director Finch, here's your sirloin steak. Be careful, it's hot," Ronny said.

"Thanks, Mr. Downs. You're so thoughtful!" Aurelia took the plate with both hands, clearly appreciative.

"I can do it myself, Joycelyn said, not used to being fussed over like that. She politely declined when Ronny tried to take her steak away.

"It's really no trouble, the steak is too hot. You don't want to burn yourself," Ronny insisted.

"It's fine, he just loves cutting steak for people. This pasta is really good too. You should try it," Selene said, pointing to a small dish of pasta.

Joycelyn couldn't argue with Selene, so she reluctantly put down her knife and fork. “Thanks, Mr. Downs.” "It's nothing," Ronny replied with a gentle smile.

Joycelyn glanced over at Aurelia's plate, where the steak had been sliced with absolute precision-each cut neat and perfec It was clear that Ronny wasn't just careful, he was also a bit of a perfectionist.

Ronny's movements were elegant. He started from the left side of the steak, cutting from the outside in. He fixed the steak with his fork, then sliced off a perfect bite-sized piece with his knife. Every cut was so precise it looked almost artistic.

"All done," Ronny said, sliding the plate of steak toward Joycelyn.

"Thank you." Joycelyn was about to reach for the plate when suddenly, she felt a sharp, intense gaze fixed on her.

Without thinking, she looked up. Her clear eyes locked with a pair of dark, piercing ones. She froze, thinking, 'Ellison? What is he doing here?" The sunlight poured in through the large windows, outlining his strong, angular features.

His face, sharp and defined, seemed almost sculpted in the golden light. His eyes, calm but unwavering, carried a chilling intensity that made the atmosphere around him feel charged.

Joycelyn stiffened and quickly looked away, trying to make herself as inconspicuous as possible. She thought, 'Please don't notice me, please don't notice me! But of course, Ellison walked straight over to their table.

Out of the corner of her eye, Joycelyn could see his black trousers perfectly fitted around his long legs, his stride purposeful 17:06 Tae, 11 Feb MO Chapter 30 and unhurried. Her heart, which had been racing in her chest, seemed to drop into her stomach.

"Mr. Grant," the waitstaff greeted him respectfully as he approached. Aurelia and the others all turned to look.

"Mr. Grant," Aurelia and Selene both stood to greet him.

Ronny glanced up, saw Ellison, and also stood, offering a polite greeting. "Mr. Grant." 0:52% But Joycelyn, feeling frozen in place, remained seated, her entire body tense. Her mind was spinning, and all she could hear was the buzzing sound in her ears.

Ellison glanced at the table full of food. "Dining, I see." "Yes, we were celebrating Aurelia's promotion. By the way, Mr. Grant, you've gotten even more handssince the last tI saw you!" Selene, the little fangirl, couldn't help herself, her eyes shining with admiration. "Then, would you mind if I joined you?" Ellison asked smoothly, his voice calm but with an underlying authority. Selene stared, wide-eyed, completely caught off guard. She quickly glanced over at Aurelia. Aurelia, being the more composed one, and Ronny, with his gentle manner, both invited Ellison to sit.

The waiter, ever so attentive, brought over a chair and placed it behind Ellison. "Mr. Grant, please have a seat." Ellison sat down gracefully, his deep, cold gaze settling on Joycelyn. "The steak is cut quite well." Joycelyn's lashes fluttered in shock. She mustered the courage to glance at Ellison seated beside her. His face was as cold as always, his expression unreadable, but her heart was racing, almost leaping out of her chest. "Well..." Joycelyn's voice cout a little muffled, too nervous to sound calm.

"What does Mr. Grant prefer to eat?" Ronny asked politely.

"I think the one that's already cut looks good," Ellison replied, his gaze never leaving Joycelyn's tense face. His eyes darkende, as though he was scrutinizing her every move.

Joycelyn could feel his gaze like a weight pressing on her. It was clear from the beginning he wasn't interested in the food- he was focused on her.

"I haven't eaten yet," Joycelyn said quickly, trying to ease the tension. "If Mr. Grant doesn't mind, you can go ahead." She slowly pushed the steaming, neatly cut steak toward Ellison.

"You go ahead and eat first, Mr. Grant. I'll cut my own steak for you, Ronny said, placing a fresh fork next to Ellison's plate. then looking back at Joycelyn.

"Ms. Maynard, did you injure your hand? Can't cut the steak?" Ellison's voice was still as cold as ever, but it carried a tone of superiority, like he was speaking from a place of power.

"No," Joycelyn quickly denied, shaking her head.

“It's not her hand, Mr. Grant," Ronny explained. “She was chatting, so I cut it for her." "Mr. Downs is very considerate," Ellison remarked, his voice still frosty. "You'd make a great waiter here." The moment the words left his mouth, the atmosphere at the table dropped to absolute zero. Even Ronny, who was usually calm and composed, could feel the bite in Ellison's tone.

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Joycelyn immediately felt the need to protect Ronny, who was unfairly am caught in the crossfire. She quickly tried to smooth things over. "I was just being too picky. It's no trouble at all, really. "Please, go ahead and cat, Mr. Downs. I'll ask the waiter to bringanother plate. She tried to sound casual, but the tension was so thick that anyone with eyes could feel it.

Thankfully, Ronny was a man of grace. He smiled lightly. "If Mr. Grant thinks it's okay, I'll give it a try? "Go ahead and eat," Joycelyn said quickly, trying to steer the conversation in a different direction. "Lettake another look at the menu. Mr. Grant, would you like anything else?" "Just order whatever you think is good," Ellison replied, his tone as neutral as ever.

Joycelyn froze. Her heart skipped a beat, and her face turned pale. She thought, 'Is he doing this on purpose? Is he trying to make this awkward on purpose?" She didn't dare to look at Aurelia or Selene. The whole meal suddenly felt like a trap closing in on her. She felt cornered, like a fish caught in a net.

"I'll just order a little more then," Joycelyn said, forcing a tight smile.

Ronny glanced at her, his eyes betraying a hint of concern. But he didn't comment. Instead, he calmly picked up his plate, cutting his steak with slow, deliberate movements, savoring it.

Ellison took a bite, then called the waiter over. "Please bringa new one, medium-rare. This one's cold. The flavor's off

He set his fork down and wiped his mouth with anapkin. There wasn't a trace of anger on his face, but his of anger on presence-quiet and commanding-was enough to make everyone at the table fall silent.

At that moment, no one dared to say a word-not even Aurelia or the usually talkative Selene EllSOA M wasn't here just to eat. It felt more like he had cto assert his dominance, as if he were the one in control. Ꮎ