Completely dumbfounded and confused, Neville stared back at Gloria.

Gloria, in turn, made a sound suspiciously like a sniffle, "Is this how you both are outside? My son had failed you."

Neville and Chef Heilin watched Gloria’s childish antics, speechless by the second.

Neville had no choice but to randomly guess and re-introduce himself carefully, "I...I’m also Mr.—"

The moment ’Mr.’ Was uttered, Gloria immediately glared ’secretly’. Neville had no choice but to change it by the second.

"—Grayson’s boyfriend."

"MY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW~!" Gloria let out a smug smile with exaggerated theatrical movements and immediately crossed the other side of the table to hug him.

Chef Heilin watched as Neville uncomfortably accepted Gloria’s overly affectionate hug and chuckled.

In the end, she joined in teasing Neville, "I see, Grayson’s future husband."

Neville was flustered and beet red at the introduction.

Gloria, having had enough fun, cleared her throat and said, "Well, this has been unexpectedly emotional. Heilin, dear, don’t forget to reserve one of those cooking robots for your shop when they’re released."

Chef Heilin’s earlier resistance seemed to have turned into a thoughtful consideration. "You think it would really help?"

"I think," Gloria said, her tone turning slightly serious, "that the chefs who survive the next decade will be the ones who learn to work with the technology rather than against it. Use the robot for the tedious parts, the repetitive tasks, and the consistency. Free yourself to focus on what machines can’t replicate—creativity, intuition, the ability to taste a dish and know exactly what it needs."

Chef Heilin was quiet for a long moment. Then she nodded slowly with renewed determination.

"Reserve one for me then. And," she pointed at Neville, "you come back here soon. I want you to taste the result of my efforts with this recipe."

"Sure, I’d be honored," Neville nodded as he replied.

But on the back of his mind, he was thinking, he wasn’t sure if he would be able to enter this part of the shopping center without Gloria next time.

After that, Chef Heilin excused herself with a final grateful bow as she tended to hungry customers.

Gloria turned to Neville with a happy expression of having gotten rid of someone who preyed on her food, literally.

"She’s great, isn’t she?" Gloria said while pouring the newly served tea elegantly, the amber liquid flowed in a perfect arc. "We’ve been friends since our academy days. Can you believe she gave up a promising military career to open a tea shop?"

Neville accepted the refilled cup, inhaling the fragrant steam. "The tea is really great. I can understand why she chose this path."

"She always said the battlefield made her appreciate the quiet moments more." Gloria’s eyes grew distant for a moment. "Many of us from that generation feel the same way."

Neville nodded, understanding the weight behind her words. This world’s history was filled with conflicts that had shaped entire generations, and it seemed never-ending. The Zerg wars, the wars at the border, the internal political struggles—all of it had left scars both visible and hidden.

They fell into comfortable conversation, discussing trivial things: the shops they had just visited, the items they had purchased, Gloria’s opinions on current fashion trends, and her barely-concealed attempts to extract information about Neville’s relationship with Grayson.

Neville tried to answer as many questions as possible. He revealed enough to satisfy her curiosity without giving away anything that might be used against him later.

Old habits die hard.

The comfortable atmosphere was shattered when a new person approached their table.

Neville sensed her before he saw he. A faint floral scent that was stronger than their tea carried undertones of something sharper. The pheromones of a mature, confident omega.

Gloria’s expression soured momentarily, her teacup pausing halfway to her lips. The change was brief but unmistakable, a flicker of annoyance crossing her refined features before her social mask slipped back into place.

Neville kept his own expression in check as he observed the approaching figure in his peripheral vision.

The woman who stopped beside their table was, quite frankly, stunning.

She appeared to be in her early forties, though the way she carried herself suggested that she was in the same ranks as Gloria. Someone who had perfected the art of defying time.

Her hair was a rich golden color that might have been natural or might have been the result of very expensive gene therapy. It cascaded over her shoulders in artful waves. She had high cheekbones, full lips, and eyes the color of aged honey—she looked like a vintage wine advertisement come to life.

So this is where Sarah and Liliana get their looks, Neville thought, seeing the uncanny similarity in their faces. Liliana was like a carbon copy of Catalina Romana Gringer, albeit younger. Particularly in the curve of her smile and the sharp intelligence in her gaze.

"Gloria," the woman said, her voice carrying a melodic quality. "What a pleasant surprise."

"Catalina." Gloria set her teacup down with deliberate care. "I didn’t expect to see you here."

"I had business in the area." Catalina’s honey-colored eyes drifted to Neville, appraising him with the same thoroughness one might use when evaluating an unexpected variable. "And who might this be?"

Although she said it in a light tone, Neville still detected the genuine curiosity in her gaze. He straightened in his seat, meeting her gaze directly.

"This," Gloria said, her voice warming considerably, "is my daughter-in-law, Neville."

Catalina’s expression cracked for a moment. Her eyes widened, slightly parting her lips. Neville could practically see the gears turning in her head as she processed this information.

But she quickly recovered as if nothing had happened. A playful smile curved her lips.

"Daughter-in-law? Gloria, darling, don’t tell me you’ve finally found someone willing to put up with that workaholic son of yours." She tilted her head, examining Neville with renewed interest. "Or is this a new man of your own? At your age, you deserve a little excitement in the long run, don’t you think?"