One year, one love by Aurora Miller

16:13 Fri, 28

Chapter 42

Chapter 42

She added, “If you feel awkward going alone, you can bring a friend.”

Lewis found no reason to feel awkward. It’s not like her friend would eat him alive or something.

“Got it. I’ll pick you up after work,” Lewis agreed without hesitation.

Lola, who had been listening the whole time, grinned with satisfaction at his response.

Since Lewis didn’t seem the least bit annoyed, Doris felt less uneasy about the whole thing. “No need, I’ll ride with Lola. I’ll send you the restaurant address. See you tonight.”

Lola picked Bistro Alloy.

Doris sent the address to Lewis and told him to meet at 6:30 PM.

After work, due to traffic, Lola and Doris arrived ten minutes late.

The restaurant was tucked away in a quiet spot, featuring elegant architecture with green tiles and white walls.

Stepping inside felt like entering a garden–lush groves, vibrant flowers, and an artificial pond with a stone bridge where guests could watch the fish.

They took the elevator to the third floor, to a private dining room named “Paris“—this floor had rooms named after cities.

As soon as they stepped out, they ran into Ivan. “Mr. Mitchell, good evening.” Doris greeted.

“Doris, Ms. Bates, hello.” Ivan’s smile was charming.

“Are you here to welcome us?” Lola looked beautiful tonight in an off–shoulder beige dress, cinched at the waist with a brown. belt that highlighted her slim figure. Her long, fair legs added a touch of mature elegance.

Ivan looked puzzled.

“We’re meeting Lewis for dinner here. Didn’t you come with him?” Doris assumed he was the friend Lewis had invited.

“Oh, I’m actually here with other friends,” Ivan replied with a knowing smile. “You two go ahead. I’ll drop by later.”

As he watched Doris and Lola walk away, Ivan’s brows furrowed deeply.

He then pushed open the door to the “London” private room, where a group of people was gathered.

as Zoe saw Ivan, she got up and

clearly referring to Lewis, the man she had been longing

expected Lewis to end up in

only intensified her longing for him, so she had asked her father to reach out to Lewis, hoping he’d look

respect for their families‘ relationship, Lewis did

he wasn’t busy, they’d have meals or

was limited, she was

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Chapter 42

the country, and she followed soon

won’t make it, Ivan lied. “Don’t

disappointment clouding her beautiful face.

checked his residence at Sulnell Hill, even stopped by Hartman Group–but she

up to her welcome dinner. Yet, once again, he wasn’t

really wanted to

her sorrow evident. “You’re his best friend. Tell me, what did I do wrong? Why won’t he even see me?”

anything wrong,” Ivan said, feeling conflicted, knowing the truth. “He’s just really busy.”

smile, clearly not buying

liked him for ten years.”

we’re meant to

decided to go abroad, I also worked hard to apply to

initiative to ask me out, I was willing to be the one to make the

woman has ever been by

no other woman in his

humbly. “Does he have

“We’re close, but we don’t interfere in each

you really want to know, you’ll have to ask him yourself.”

Zoe shook her head. “Forget

afraid that her illusions would shatter

anymore.

Isn’t it enough that you have all of us here with you?” Ivan pulled her closer, then raised his glass of red wine

Zoe couldn’t bring herself to feel happy.

raised her glass and downed

with Lola seated

you both a happy

Ms. Bates.” Lewis lifted his

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Chapter 42

her wine glass as well.