The atmosphere was immediately filled with silence. Pierre's brows furrowed, Angélique's eyes widened, and so did the rest.
Jared noticed their different expressions. He cleared his throat as he recognized the mingled emotions of shock and pity.
"Ahem. I didn't mean to bring discomfort and bad memories during our first meeting. As you know, i am a father, so technically i want to see the person my daughter befriended"
Jared understood Pierre's reason. Of course, if he were in his position, he would definitely act similarly. He is not shallow enough to consider and question the doubting eyes and minds of those in front of him.
They say the daughter is the father's eye-candy...yes, for Pierre, it is.
"Oh no, it's fine. I mean to say that i don't have a family since i don't know my real family if i had one. I don't know their faces or even their names. However, i do have a real family, not by blood, but by heart. My adoptive grandfather told me that i was given away by my mother when i was a baby. It's been a long time since my adoptive grandfather died, and i only have good memories of him and never had a bad one"
Once again, the dining fell into complete silence. Jared felt anxious, seeing the faces of people wearing mixtures of expression.
"No, please. Don't think about anything. I didn't mean to say anything that could make your chest feel heavy or make you feel guilty. I just felt like I needed to say what you wanted to hear---"
"How could such a person leave a baby? How could someone have no conscience!"
"Dear, calm down"
"M-maman, s'il te plaît, calme-toi. ( M-mom, please calm down. )"
"Mom. Don't get too worked up"
The three instantly calmed Cosette who was getting worked up by the story. Jared could see her fuming mad. They kept calming her but her face was red and her eyebrows were furrowed.
He began to get anxious like the three, thinking of the way to calm her down, then a sudden excuse lit up on his mind. He immediately opened his mouth to interrupt them. "U-uh...wait! I met your daughter in the restaurant. I was the one who cooked the duck with berries!"
Just as he planned. Cosette looked at him with furrowed brows, then her face lit up to a gentle smile.
"Really? Oh, i love berries. I really loved them. The taste is heavenly. I could never forget the taste of something so delicious. How did you manage to cook something like that. Are you a professional chef?" She couldn't help but blurted out. The three sighed in relief that finally the storm had passed.
"Forgive me. I didn't mean to lash out earlier. I just couldn't help it. I am a woman of fairness and love, so hearing your story, i couldn't help but be enraged" she stated with her elegance and attractive accent with a hint of sincerity.
What Cosette despised most in the world was unreasonable parents who abandoned their child. For her, it's an unforgivable sin that can never be washed away, even if you bathe in holy water. Bringing a child into the world was the most joyful experience for a mother, but abandoning them was the worst.
"Ne vous inquiétez pas, madame. Les mères sont après tout les personnes les plus extraordinaires du monde. ( No worries, madam. Mothers are after all, the most amazing people in the world. )"
When Jared responded elegantly fluently, Cosette's surprised expression immediately surfaced.
"You have an amazing accent that i thought you are Prench" Victor honestly commented.
"Yes. You speak fluently like it was your mother tongue. How impressive. How many languages do you speak?" Cosette asked curiously. Her eyes shone with expectancy.
"Five. I speak five languages. Self-taught"
Upon hearing what he said, Cosette laughed with joy and amazement. "Amazing. I'm starting to like you. I don't mind you being friends with my dear daughter. You are welcome to step on another level"
Pierre and Victor looked at Cosette with their eyes widened in shock. Jared almost spit out the water he drank with surprise.
"Dear!"
"Mother!"
Jared immediately interrupted and voiced his mind out. "Do forgive me, but we are friends, and nothing more than that"
Cosette's face instantly changed. Pierre and Victor sighed in relief hearing what Jared said.
"Oh, dear. Nevermind, i will welcome you as a family friend"
Jared laughed at the comment and nodded in agreement. "Sure, i don't mind"
Just a moment ago, the atmosphere was heavy, but the present situation changed into a completely different and warm atmosphere.
"My god! Your cooking is excellent. You should own a restaurant, it will be a big hit"
"This is really good, i want to have that talent"
With praises filled the air, laughter and all sorts of pleas made everything lively.
"You should come and visit us, then cook for us"
"Or share the recipe. I would love to cook for my family. I really love the dishes that melt in my mouth. Delectable, exquisite and heavenly taste. Please do visit us"
The table was overflowing with laughter and chanting praises. Jared's heart melted at the sight of a warm atmosphere. Never in his life has he experienced such a warm sensation. Despite the luxury of the surroundings, the loving familial scene and unmannerly laughter filled the air.
Seeing the sight in front of him, Jared's lips curved up into a warm smile.
"Would you like anything? I could cook for you"
"I would love to, but my belly wouldn't want anymore. I feel like i will explode" Pierre honestly said while caressing his stomach.
"I also would love to, but i can't anymore"
"Such a satisfactory meal you have for us. We really appreciate that we almost finished it all. I'm about to explode"
Comments keep coming left and right. Jared also felt the same. He was extremely satisfied with his own cooking.
After supper, the family decided to return to the hotel. They wished him farewell and apologized for any inconveniences, but he didn't mind.
Waving his hands towards the moving cars, his hand stopped mid air, hearing the familiar sound through his head.
[Ding!
Congratulations, host, for Completing the Missions.
Retrieving Rewards...]
The sound immediately brought a smile on his lips.
'it says the rewards were ownership of the property and random roulette. I wonder which property was it'
"I hope you are generous"
His chest was pumping hard, anticipating the rewards that follow. He didn't want to have the same high hopes as before, but he couldn't stop himself. Who wouldn't desire inferior property and a random reward?
[Ding!
Congratulations, host!
You have received the full ownership of Yellow St.
Papers are already submitted and are processing as we speak. Please wait for the designated call.]
Yellow St.!?
"What!?"
[Ding!
Additional Random Reward. Roulette is spinning. Please wait for a few seconds...]
"Holy molly! Are you serious!?"
[Ding!
Congratulations!
You have received 5,000,000,000 Global Credits.
Please check your Account balance.]
It was like a bucket of cold water was poured all over him. His whole body tensed as he was rooted on his spot.
"What!?"
He couldn't even get over the Yellow St. and the second reward topped him off.
"Pfft!" Hahahaha!"
He could hardly conceal his excitement. His body was filled with a thrilling sensation. His laughing permeated the cold and silent outside environs like a lunatic.
He hit a jackpot. It was like hitting two birds with one stone. The generosity of the system is on another level.
5,000,000,000 is a hefty reward, pretty generous, but the Yellow St. is another matter.
Yellow Street is at another level. A business district with numerous stores and buildings. Though the street was simply one line, the rental building had a hundred stores lined up one after the other. The cost of rental price varies by store size and ranges from 5,000 to 15,000 per month.
'system. Can i sell the properties and items you had given me?'
[Ding!
You cannot sell what the system had given...but you can give them.]
"I see. Thanks."
Jared walked and immediately proceeded to take a wash. He lay down, attempting to sleep, but his mind was preoccupied with the current substantial benefits, which prevented him from shutting his eyes.
He's bewildered. He couldn't believe that he controlled the entire street. The tremendous feeling burst deep inside him.
"D*mn it! I guess i won't be able to sleep tonight"