Gavin watched Henry with narrowed eyes, his patience wearing thin. The younger man seemed to realize he had intruded on an intimate moment and wore an expression of sheepish regret. At least he knows he messed up, Gavin thought grimly. Still, it didn’t stop him from wanting to throttle the brat. His cold gaze bore into Henry, silently willing him to leave the lounge. But instead of taking the hint, Henry did the unthinkable. He darted forward, inserting himself between them, and pulled Gavin and Liza apart with an air of exaggerated concern. “Couples always have little squabbles,” Henry declared earnestly. “Gavin, as the man, you should let her win! You’re a good guy—how could you even think of hitting her? Just look at her! Her face is so red! And her lips… they’re practically swollen!” Liza froze. “???”Was this man serious? For a moment, the absurdity of his words left her speechless. She blinked at him, her expression one of pure disbelief. How has this guy even survived this long? she wondered. Meanwhile, Gavin frowned, his expression hardening further. Facing Henry’s clueless enthusiasm, he found himself at a rare loss for words. He had always been a man of few emotions—cold, composed, and intimidating. His mere presence could silence a room and make even the bravest of men tremble. Yet, when it came to these two people, he felt utterly powerless. On one side was Liza, who often surprised him with her peculiar antics. And on the other was Henry, whose level of naivety bordered on comedic. Henry continued to size them up, his brows furrowing in thought. A sudden realization struck him. Wait… could Gavin be jealous? He glanced nervously at Gavin, then at Liza.Maybe Gavin had seen them playing cards earlier and misunderstood something. Could that have sparked a fight between the couple? The thought made Henry take a cautious step back. Gavin can be pretty unpredictable, Henry mused. What if he’s jealous and decides to take his anger out on me? His unease deepened, but he quickly reassured himself. I mean, it’s not my fault I’m charming and people might get the wrong idea. But I’d never make a move on my sister-in-law! After glancing back at the couple, he noticed they seemed calm now. Relieved, he let out a long breath. Whatever argument they might’ve had seemed resolved. Gavin finally turned to Liza and asked in a tone as light as air, “Should we bring him along?” Though her first encounter with Henry had been anything but pleasant, Liza had since come to understand him better.While Henry could be impulsive and childish at times, she realized he wasn’t a bad person. She remembered the time when Henry had shown up at Longwan Residential with Alora , intent on defending her. Back then, he had been upset because he thought Gavin was being heartless toward his childhood friend after getting married. It had all been a misunderstanding, born from Henry’s overly simplistic and loyal nature. He genuinely believed he was standing up for a friend who had been wronged. Yes, Henry could be naive—bordering on foolish—but his heart was in the right place. With a small smile, Liza nodded. “Let’s bring him along.” Henry stared at them, his confusion evident. For some reason, their decision made him feel oddly out of place. Why do I suddenly feel so insignificant? he wondered.To outsiders, Henry was known as an extravagant and reckless troublemaker. Yet here, in front of this couple, he felt more like an amusing pet than a formidable figure. … Stone Corporation had a diverse portfolio, ranging from technology to retail. Surprisingly, they also owned a chain of upscale barbecue restaurants, each one tastefully decorated with a touch of luxury. As the trio stepped out of the car and approached the restaurant, Henry suddenly froze mid-step, his eyes locking onto a familiar figure in the distance. His expression shifted, and the words he had been about to say faltered. Liza noticed his hesitation and glanced at him curiously. “What’s wrong?” she asked. The familiar figure was none other than Alora. Henry knew the strained relationship between her and Liza would make things awkward. Torn, he hesitated before shaking his head and muttering, “It’s nothing.” He decided it was better to avoid stirring up trouble. If Alora ran into Gavin, it could lead to another argument between his brother and sister-in-law—something he wasn’t eager to witness again. With a sigh, he brushed the encounter aside and followed Liza into the restaurant. Unbeknownst to them, Alora had already spotted the group. Her eyes darkened with resentment as she observed the easy camaraderie between Henry and Liza. A man standing beside her noticed her tense demeanor and asked, “Wasn’t Henry one of your closest friends?” Alora forced a bitter smile. “He was… but not anymore. Somehow, Liza has managed to charm him completely. I don’t know what she’s done to win him over so quickly!” Her frustration simmered. Liza hadn’t just taken Gavin from her—she had now roped Henry into her circle as well. For years, her friendship with Henry had bolstered her status in social circles, making her an undeniable presence in high society. But now, that bond was crumbling. Henry hadn’t even acknowledged her presence. Instead, he had deliberately turned away, treating her like a stranger. This can’t go on, she thought bitterly. The man beside her, clearly protective, scoffed. “Who does Liza think she is? If you want, I can deal with her.” Alora put on an air of resignation. “There’s no need for that, Cousin. It’s not worth it.” But her cousin wasn’t convinced. “So you’re just going to let her walk all over you?” Alora sighed, feigning helplessness. “As long as she treats Gavin well, I can endure it, even if I have to suffer.” Her cousin’s expression hardened, his eyes fixed on Liza’s retreating figure. “Why should you have to suffer? I’ll take care of her myself!” Alora made a show of shaking her head in protest, but it was clear she didn’t mind his interference. Together, they entered the restaurant, following behind Liza and the others. Inside the restaurant, the enticing aroma of grilled meat filled the air. Despite her inability to taste, Liza felt her appetite surge as she watched the sizzling food being served. Gavin, however, appeared out of place. It was his first time in a barbecue restaurant, and the sight of heavily seasoned food made him frown in distaste. Meanwhile, Liza and Henry were thoroughly enjoying themselves. Their faces lit up with happiness as they savored each bite, chatting and laughing as if they hadn’t a care in the world. Gavin watched them quietly, his gaze lingering on Liza. Though he didn’t share their enthusiasm for the food, seeing her so genuinely content brought a subtle warmth to his otherwise stoic demeanor.