the two-faced Adopted Girl Who Melted CEO's Ice-Cold Heart-Chapter 1009: If You Can’t Afford the Pay, Don’t Make Promises Lightly

Richard Shaw resealed the document, handed it to Shuangzi, and said in a low voice, "Take it back."

Shuangzi noticed the Major General’s somber expression, quickly responded, and left without daring to mention drinking, pitying all the good wine in the courtyard.

After a busy afternoon, by six o’clock, the garden dinner party was almost fully set up.

Nova Howard looked around the garden of Shaw Mansion, where tree lights were twinkling like festive fireworks. Both the ornamental trees and flowers were adorned with star-shaped lights, making the entire garden appear dreamlike. She couldn’t help but exclaim, "Crystal, how did you come up with this idea?"

"Watched a lot of videos with an Instagram vibe, it’s pretty simple." Crystal calculated that these star lights were very cheap, and she bought the kind that changes colors. When the garden lights are turned on, with light and shadow interspersed, it creates a layered effect, making it even more beautiful.

Throwing a stylish small party with minimal expense is quite simple.

Crystal leaned over to the temporary central platform and saw Caspian Howard already mixing drinks. His technique was very skilled and his movements graceful. Soon, he crafted a Snow Rose cocktail, still burning.

Hawk Howard pushed the ice-blue cocktail with a flame within its hue in front of the two stunned girls and lazily said, "You can look but not drink. This cocktail is very strong."

"Brother Caspian, how did you make this burning rose?" Nova was about to touch it when Hawk slapped her hand away, exclaiming, "My goodness, Brother Caspian, you’re as amazing as Crystal."

"You’re just inexperienced, never seen the world," Hawk retorted sarcastically.

Nova looked aggrieved.

Crystal burst out laughing and nodded repeatedly, "Caspian, I definitely need to pay you. You’re the star of the night, a cocktail mixed personally by the fourth Howard of the family, enough for them to brag about for a year."

Caspian was unmoved, eyes lowered, and said coolly, "You can’t afford the salary, so don’t make rash promises."

"Crystal, I’ll go with you to change clothes. It’s not fair that Pearl Landon gets to dress up beautifully while we work up a sweat."

Crystal nodded and led Nova into her room. She took a shower, casually put on a mint-green short dress, still showing her long legs. She dried her hair, added just a bit of toner and lotion to her pretty little face, and then stood refreshingly and elegantly in front of Nova.

"Looks good, let’s go out."

By the time they came out, Pearl had already arrived wearing a blue long gown. The sisters coincidentally clashed in color, though there was still some distinction.

Pearl saw Crystal in her mint-green short dress, highlighting the young girl’s slim waist, long legs, fair skin, and beauty, with her fresh sweetness instantly overshadowing Pearl’s blue gown, leaving her looking a bit displeased.

Pearl just arrived and walked over to Richard Shaw, smiling, "Richard, I really have to thank you, the dinner party setup looks wonderful."

Nova initially wanted to warmly call out Pearl as a sister, but seeing Crystal busy all day, and then Pearl running off to thank Richard, she couldn’t help but pout, "Why is she like this?"

Crystal was already used to it and didn’t even bother with a sneer. Instead, Richard Shaw slightly furrowed his handsome brows and said blandly, "The dinner party was all arranged by Crystal. I didn’t interfere."

He softly but firmly set the record straight.