Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 3551

Carson Foster leaned comfortably on the plush floor cushion, lowering his gaze as he spoke softly. "Marina can't catch a chill these next few days."

Miranda Foster instantly understood and looked remorseful. "Then we shouldn't be sitting out here chatting!"

Marina Evert felt utterly embarrassed. "It's fine, really. I'm not cold at all."

She didn't know what was hidden beneath the cushion, but it radiated a gentle warmth. Combined with the afternoon sun and the nearby heater, a faint layer of sweat had already formed on her forehead.

Carson glanced at her, unable to hold back a smile. "Look at you, bundled up like a cocoon. Of course you aren't cold!"

Marina was wearing a thick green sweater and a heavy scarf. She did look a bit like a tightly wrapped caterpillar. She shot him a glare. "I wonder whose questionable taste this sweater is?"

Carson feigned a look of sudden realization, his expression dramatically shifting to one of awe. "Oh, I bought it! No wonder it looks so stunning."

Marina was helpless against the man's thick skin.

Across from them, Miranda lowered her eyes to hide a soft laugh.

Annoyance flickered across Marina's face. "Your mother and I were having a perfectly lovely conversation. The moment a certain someone showed up, the entire mood was ruined."

"What kind of mood was it before?" Carson asked.

Marina tilted her chin up slightly, a touch of arrogance in her voice. "An artistic one!"

Carson simply sat down, crossing his long legs, clearly having no intention of leaving. "Art, huh? Like I wouldn't understand. Come on, let's discuss Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, or Picasso's modernism, or maybe some classic ink wash paintings. Oh, right—"

He turned his head to look at her. "Do you want grilled garlic shrimp or sweet chili shrimp for lunch?"

Marina couldn't hold it in anymore and burst out laughing. Her beautifully arched brows curved, and a brilliant light danced in her eyes. Across the table, Miranda was laughing too.

A few sparrows landed on the branches of the plum tree outside, chirping away, but Marina felt their noise couldn't even compare to Carson's chatter.

Lunch did indeed feature a large plate of shrimp. Marina pushed it right in front of Carson. "You eat it. I'm having a vegetarian meal with Mrs. Foster."

Marina nodded in deep agreement. "At the very least, they have to catch the eye of the great Mr. Foster. Put like that, I really am honored!"

Carson let out a soft sigh. "Marina, sometimes it's better not to be so clear-headed."

Marina shot him a look, smoothed out her paper, and began to focus on her calligraphy.

She lowered her head slightly, completely absorbed in her task. Across from her, Carson basked in the sunlight, half-asleep. Whenever a thought crossed his mind, he would casually toss a comment her way, but Marina's entire focus was on her brushstrokes. She gave him half-hearted replies without ever looking up.

By the time she finished a full page, she realized it had been a while since she heard Carson's voice. Looking up, she discovered he had fallen asleep.

The man rested his head against his hand. He wore a simple, thin beige sweater, the deep V-neck exposing his sharp collarbones. His neck was long, his jawline razor-sharp, and his luminous skin was utterly flawless. Even asleep, he was so perfect that no one could find a single fault.

Suddenly, Marina felt an overwhelming urge to ruin that pristine beauty.

She dipped her brush into the ink and walked toward him.