The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Chapter 1157

Soren's bravado instantly put the man next to Arnold on high alert, instinctively reaching out to shield Arnold behind him.

"May I ask who you are?" The man's good upbringing didn't allow him to get angry immediately, but the emotion in his eyes was quite apparent. Soren ignored him and looked towards Arnold, "What are you doing?"

Arnold, confused by the question, replied, "What else would I be doing in a restaurant? Eating, obviously!"

"But this is a couples' restaurant."

"So what?"

Arnold didn't see any difference between the two. After all, Soren wasn't his date, so why the drama?

"Do you not know him?" the man's eyebrows were now knotted together.

This question somewhat baffled Arnold, "Well, I can't say I don't know him, but we're not that close."

"If that's the case, I'll have to ask you to leave and not disturb our meal, or I'll have to call security." The man stood up abruptly, forcing Soren to look up at him.

The height difference between them was clear, and Arnold watched the scene with satisfaction.

Ah, the feeling of being protected was indeed different; Soren didn't even need to handle it himself.

Before leaving, Soren gave Arnold a harsh look, one that seemed to convey a clear message.

He wished he could strangle him right there.

Arnold just shrugged helplessly; nothing was more important than his date right now.

It happened to be the weekend, and Vivienne's family was out shopping at the mall. From afar, Percival spotted Soren standing alone, looking rather upset. Following Percival's gaze, Vivienne saw Soren and smiled, "Should we go say hi?"

did Vivienne realize something was amiss. "What's he doing there?

and tightly pursed lips suggested he

just eating quietly," Juliette observed from the railing. Percival, now aware of the two men inside, quickly

that restaurant? Let's not worry about this for now."

If

their meal, Vivienne leaned in to ask Percival, "So,

of words, "What on earth have

the question. Tell me what's going

potential rival I

was jogged, "Don't tell me one of those two men is Anna's love

unconcerned manner of the two

she looked at it,

them a few times, and his attitude towards Anna is more like a brother's to his sister?" Percival explained. "Well,

he was on to something, even ready to record with his phone, hinting that today

began recording with his phone

his companion had already noticed Soren's actions. The man looked puzzled at

noticed, he didn't realize Arnold's barely concealed smile

to speak, the man finally let Arnold have his say, "Don't worry about him. If he wants

man laughed helplessly, "Alright then." He then served some food

little sister's feelings. If today helps them take a step forward, I'm willing

man's concerns. Knowing how much Arnold cared for his sister, if he was okay with it, they'd let Soren be. Later, the man whispered to Arnold,

looked at him in surprise, then burst into laughter, "Of course, you do. Without you, I couldn't

but seeing them laughing and enjoying themselves didn't improve

wrapping up

so early today?" Soren

couldn't shake the feeling that something was off with

for the day and was planning to head home early." Anna was already dressed, "Is there something you need help

respond to her question but asked another,

Arnold said he would pick me