Chapter 246: Franco De Santa Estate!

A private chef had been employed, and after learning that Luca would be arriving with two guests, the housekeeper personally arranged a special welcome dinner.

It had to be said, the chef’s skills were exceptional.

Even Luca, who had considered himself a master in the kitchen, couldn’t help feeling that he had finally met someone worthy of comparison.

Curious, he struck up a conversation with the chef and soon learned that his family had once served as royal chefs for generations. Every technique had been passed down from one generation to the next.

Even something as simple as the Canard à l’Orange was unforgettable. Crispy on the outside, tender and juicy inside, it was the sort of dish that would cost at least Eighty dollars per serving in an upscale restaurant.

By the time dinner ended, the sun had already begun dipping below the horizon.

"Bro!" Trish suddenly jumped to her feet, her eyes sparkling. "Let’s take a walk around the estate!"

Rachel smiled in agreement.

Neither of them had ever visited a place like Franco de Santa Estate before. After spending the afternoon inside the mansion, they were itching to explore the grounds.

Luca naturally had no objections.

The two girls skipped ahead, chatting excitedly as they walked.

He strolled behind them at an unhurried pace, both hands resting behind his head, enjoying the cool evening breeze.

"Bro, this place is huge!"

Trish spread both arms as she carefully balanced her way down a set of stone steps.

"There are pavilions, gardens, little bridges, waterside terraces, and even those long covered corridors! This doesn’t feel like a house at all."

Rachel looked around in amazement.

"It feels more like a private park."

Even Luca had to admit she wasn’t exaggerating.

Standing beneath the ancient trees while looking over the beautifully landscaped gardens, he couldn’t help thinking how well people from centuries ago understood the art of living.

’No wonder people living in places like this seem to live longer.’

The peaceful atmosphere alone was enough to melt away any stress.

Before long, Trish had already pulled out her phone and started a video call.

The screen quickly connected.

Mrs. Hale’s familiar face appeared first, followed by Mr. Hale peeking into the camera from beside her.

"Mom! Dad!" Trish beamed. "See? I told you both to come! Look how beautiful this place is!"

She slowly spun around, letting the camera capture every corner of the garden.

Flower beds overflowed with colorful blossoms.

Elegant pavilions overlooked lotus ponds.

Stone paths wound beneath ancient trees, while the golden light of sunset bathed everything in a warm glow.

Mrs. Hale’s eyes lit up immediately.

She had always loved flowers, and seeing such an enormous garden filled with blooming plants left her visibly tempted.

Mr. Hale chuckled.

"Once Celia gives birth, let’s all come to the capital for a vacation."

He laughed as he looked around through the phone.

"I finally understand what it must’ve felt like to live like royalty."

Before this, the two elders had always been content staying in Ashford.

To them, home was enough.

But after traveling to larger cities, they had gradually begun to realize just how much there was to see beyond their hometown.

Although they still planned to return to Ashford eventually...

Taking a trip once or twice a year suddenly didn’t sound like such a bad idea.

After ending the call, the three continued strolling until they reached the pavilion at the center of the garden.

"Bro!"

Trish suddenly handed her phone to Luca.

"Take a picture of me and Rachel."

She immediately linked arms with her best friend.

Standing shoulder to shoulder beneath the pavilion, the two girls smiled brightly at the camera.

Both were naturally beautiful.

Against the backdrop of blooming flowers, elegant architecture, and the fiery sunset painting the sky orange, even an amateur photographer could hardly take a bad picture.

Luca casually snapped several shots.

The moment he handed the phone back, the girls immediately crowded together to look through them.

"They’re beautiful!"

"I love this one!"

Even though Luca never considered himself particularly good at photography, they couldn’t stop praising the pictures.

"Bro." Trish suddenly nudged him from behind.

"Your turn."

Luca blinked.

"Mine?"

"I don’t really enjoy taking pictures."

Throughout university, aside from official ID photos...

Almost every picture of him floating around campus had been secretly taken by girls with crushes on him.

Even then, he’d somehow remained at the top of the university’s "Most Handsome Students" ranking.

There wasn’t much he could do about that.

Some things simply couldn’t be helped.

"You have to."

Trish puffed out her cheeks dramatically.

"The scenery is this beautiful. It’d be a waste not to leave a few memories."

Then her smile turned mischievous.

"And besides..."

"It’s been ages since we took a picture together."

Luca had always been weak against his little sister’s shameless attempts at acting cute.

He sighed in surrender.

"Fine."

The moment the siblings finished taking their photo, another idea popped into Trish’s head.

Her eyes immediately brightened.

"Bro!"

She grinned mischievously.

"Why don’t you and Rachel take one together too?"

She turned toward her best friend and exaggeratedly winked.

"Right, Rachel?"

Rachel froze.

"What... me?"

She instantly understood what Trish was trying to do.

Her heart skipped a beat.

She secretly glanced toward Luca, only to find his expression completely calm.

That somehow made her even more nervous.

She lowered her head.

"I... maybe we should forget it..."

The moment the words left her mouth...

She regretted them.

Deep down, she wanted this photo more than anyone.

Every picture of Luca on her phone had been secretly saved from Trish’s social media.

She had never once taken a picture with him herself.

If they could stand together...

Even if it was just for one photograph...

That alone would become something she’d treasure forever.

"Forget it?"

Trish looked as though she’d suffered a huge injustice.

"I worked so hard to create this opportunity!"

Just as she prepared another round of persuasion...

Luca suddenly spoke.

"Let’s take it."

He could tell Rachel genuinely wanted the picture.

She was simply too shy to admit it.

Hearing him agree, Trish immediately flashed Rachel an encouraging smile.

"See?"

"My brother already said yes."

Rachel’s heart started pounding.

She timidly walked over until she was standing beside him.

The moment her arm accidentally brushed against his sleeve, she instinctively shuffled half a step away.

"..."

Trish slowly lowered the phone.

She looked utterly helpless.

"Rachel."

"Come a little closer."

"And smile naturally."

"That smile of yours looks completely forced."

Watching the usually composed girl become this flustered made her both amused and exasperated.

’Honestly...’

’Can’t you be a little braver?’

’I’m literally helping you get closer to my brother.’

’What are you so scared of?’

Of course...

What Trish didn’t realize was that Rachel had already used every ounce of courage she possessed.

Standing this close...

She could clearly smell the faint, refreshing scent lingering on Luca.

Warm.

Comforting.

Like morning sunlight after a gentle rain.

Her heartbeat grew faster and faster.

’Luca...’

’You smell so nice...’

Luca glanced sideways at the nervous girl beside him and smiled faintly.

She really did blush at the slightest thing.

Without saying a word, he gently reached over and ruffled her hair before lightly pulling her closer.

Rachel jumped slightly in surprise.

But feeling the warmth of his hand resting briefly on her head...

She found herself unable to pull away.

Instead, almost unconsciously, she leaned a little closer against his side.

Click.

Trish immediately seized the perfect moment and pressed the shutter.

Looking at the finished picture, she let out an exaggerated sigh of relief before pretending to wipe sweat from her forehead.

"Whew."

"Taking a single photo for you two was harder than climbing a mountain."

Then she looked at Rachel with an amused grin.

"So..."

"How much longer are you planning to keep leaning against my brother?"

Only then did Rachel snap back to reality.

Her entire face instantly turned scarlet.

She hurriedly stumbled away from Luca, looking so embarrassed that she wished the ground would swallow her whole.

Watching the flustered girl, Trish couldn’t help laughing.

For a moment, she honestly believed that if she hadn’t reminded her...

This silly best friend might have stayed comfortably leaning against her brother forever.