The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1892

The owner could tell at a glance that the man was no student.

Stella parted her lips, completely at a loss for how to introduce him.

Roger simply looked down at her in silence.

Sensing the awkward tension, the older man didn't pry. He wiped down a table and chairs, beaming. "Please, have a seat."

"Thank you."

Roger took the seat opposite Stella. "I eat anything. Just order whatever you usually get."

"Okay." Stella looked at the owner and said softly, "Two bowls of noodles, please."

"Coming right up."

The old man nodded, happily bustling off to the kitchen.

His wife helped him prep. They moved slowly, but there was an undeniably heartwarming charm to their routine.

Stella sneaked a glance at Roger, said nothing, and got up to head to the register. She grabbed a ledger, pulled out her phone, and started meticulously calculating the numbers.

"It's been a good half-month since we balanced the books," the old man chatted as he cooked. "We never had much schooling, so we're terrible at tracking the expenses."

Thankfully, they owned the storefront and didn't have to worry about rent, so they were unlikely to go under.

"Let me crunch the numbers."

Stella pulled out a pen and paper, diving into the math.

Two minutes passed before she suddenly remembered there was a man sitting across from her.

Stella slowly looked up, her expression a little deer-in-the-headlights. "Sorry. I'm not great at small talk."

Roger took off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose. His dark eyes locked onto her face as he replied deadpan, "Obviously."

She had offered to treat him to dinner, only to leave him hanging in silence.

Stella pursed her lips, not even attempting to defend herself, and quietly went back to her calculations.

Roger sat back, his gaze lazily trailing over her.

Suddenly, he caught sight of a vicious scar slashing across her wrist, and his eyes instantly darkened.

"You're hurt?" He reached across the table, instinctively moving to check her arm.

"Don't touch me!"

Before his fingers could even brush her skin, Stella jerked her hand back violently. Her eyes frosted over, completely guarded and on edge.

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