Chapter 484: Elias Mercer Noticed the Logo on the Shopping Bag

Elias Mercer noticed the logo on the shopping bag—it was from the high-end imported grocery store across the street. Clara Whitmore wouldn't go out of her way to shop there, which left only one possibility...

"Connor Hayes bought these?"

"Yeah. He went to visit his grandparents, and I helped take care of them. The elderly only drink this brand of mineral water."

Elias reached out to take the bag.

Clara peeked inside the venue. "Is the book signing over?"

"Far from it." Elias shook his head. "The line is still long. It'll take a while."

Remembering how crowded it was earlier, Clara had no desire to go back in.

Her gaze fell on the book in his hands. "Professor, are you going to wait in line for a signature?"

"I'll go last. No rush."

"Exactly!" Clara nodded enthusiastically in agreement.

The corner of his mouth lifted slightly.

"Professor, why are you smiling?"

"Ahem!" He cleared his throat and straightened his expression. "Nothing."

"..." Clara studied him suspiciously, sensing he was hiding something but unable to pinpoint what.

The signing event, originally scheduled to end at 4 PM, dragged on until 5.

Elias and Clara joined the very end of the line.

When the book opened before Helen Whitmore—

"Mom, give me a special dedication!"

"Thank you, Mrs. Whitmore."

Helen looked up to see her daughter standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Elias.

Both were smiling at her with expectant eyes.

For a fleeting moment, Helen imagined them as a perfect couple...

She shook her head to dispel the absurd thought and began writing:

For her daughter—"I will mount a long wind some day and break the heavy waves, and set my cloudy sail straight and bridge the deep, deep sea."

For Elias—"I must ascend the mountain's crest; it dwarfs all peaks under my feet."

After the signing, Elias offered to treat them to dinner.

Daniel Whitmore quickly declined. "We couldn't possibly impose! We should be the ones treating you."

Elias waved the signed book. "Mrs. Whitmore's personal signature is worth at least a meal, don't you think?"

Daniel was speechless.

Of course it was!

Elias first sought Helen's opinion, who said she didn't mind.

Then he asked Daniel.

"I'm fine with anything. Let Clara decide."

Only then did Elias naturally turn to Clara.

"...How about hotpot?" she suggested.

All three agreed.

On the way—

Clara suddenly gasped.

"What's wrong?" Daniel asked.

"That hotpot place is packed! There are 82 parties ahead of us. We'd have to wait at least two hours..."

Helen suggested, "Should we pick somewhere else?"

"But their spicy broth is supposed to be amazing. People say the aroma makes it impossible to stop eating." Clara insisted.

This "people say" naturally came from her foodie friend Maya Torres.

Elias, who was driving, kept his eyes on the road and chuckled. "No need to change. I already reserved a table."

"Perfect!" Clara cheered.

Several minutes later, it dawned on her—

Wasn't this a last-minute decision?

How had he booked ahead?

And how did he know this was exactly the place she wanted?

Clara studied the profile of the man in the driver's seat, sinking into deep bewilderment.