"What? You don't want us to sleep in separate rooms?" Lance asked, his eyebrows arching.

"You're so full of yourself!" Bettie retorted, rolling her eyes as she turned toward the dining room.

The kitchen opened up to a spacious dining area, complete with plush carpets and a large round table that could seat over ten guests.

Situated on the first floor due to the layout of the terrain, the dining room featured a vast glass wall that offered a stunning view of the night landscape. The nearby river shimmered under the moonlight, a testament to the Luxurious tastes of the wealthy.

Dinner was modest yet appealing, consisting of a meat dish and a vegetable dish.

The aroma of fried meat with green peppers wafted through the air, mingling with the earthy scent of mushrooms.

The spicy, tender meat tantalized Bettie's taste buds as she scooped up a piece and took a bite.

“Is it good?" Lance inquired, watching her closely.

Chewing thoughtfully, Bettie nodded and swallowed “Yes, surprisingly so. I didn't expect you to be such a great cook."

"I'm glad to hear that," Lance replied with a smile.

As Bettie savored another piece of mushroom, a sudden thought struck her, and her expression turned suspicious. She wondered if Lance was somehow manipulating her, though she had no proof.

“What's the matter?" Lance asked, setting down his fork, his expression clouded with confusion.

"Nothing." Bettie's voice was a mere whisper, her gaze locked on Lance's serene expression. She pressed her lips together tightly.

Following their meal, Lance didn't wait to be asked. He began clearing the table himself.

Bettie, wanting to contribute, offered politely, “Let me help with the dishes."

"No, it's fine. You relax," Lance insisted, a gentle firmness in his voice.

“Okay, thank you," she replied, conceding with a small nod.

Lance worked silently in the kitchen, and once everything was spotless, he emerged to find Bettie. "Feel like taking a walk?" he asked.

"That sounds nice," Bettie agreed, eager to explore the neighborhood she hadn't yet seen.

"Hold on a second. I need to grab something," Lance announced suddenly as he arrived at the doorway.