The waiter brought out a new dish. Noticing that Amelia hadn't been eating much, Xyla said gently, "Ms. Joyce, you should try this, it's their signature dish. It's pretty good."

"She doesn't like the taste of cilantro."

The moment Vince said that, the entire table fell silent. All eyes turned to him.

Sure enough, the dish was garnished with finely chopped cilantro.

Xyla blinked, momentarily caught off guard. Her gaze flickered to Vince as if trying to process her confusion. "Vince, you sure know a lot about Ms. Joyce's preferences."

She kept her tone as light and natural as possible, even adding a touch of playfulness. But deep down, a tension settled in her chest.

Did he know her eating habits that well?

Hadn't Amelia said they weren't that close?

A nagging feeling crept into Xyla's mind like she was missing something important. And the more she thought about it, the stronger her unease grew.

Vince had spoken without thinking. The moment the words left his mouth, he felt the shift in the atmosphere.

He quickly composed himself, his voice calm as he answered Xyla's question. "I had dinner with Mr. Joyce once. He mentioned that he didn't like cilantro, and he happened to say his daughter didn't either. I just remembered."

gaze landed on him, her lips curling into a smile, but there was no warmth in her eyes. "Mr. Lane sure has a

met her stare but

in, smoothly redirecting the

less finished, Jamie stood

barely been gone a moment when Vince also got up

the restroom and took only two

noticed you haven't been in the best mood lately. Let's talk when we have time

smile, but it

out, gently pinching her cheek. "Why are you pretending to be fine in front

a second before letting her smile fade. Instead of answering, she asked,

stopped abruptly. Someone was

smile, though she let

saw you both step

call earlier, and she said she had,

already left?" Jamie was

They said we should grab a meal together another

We were just about done eating

Soren said their goodbyes to Vince and Xyla before heading out. Soren offered to drive her back to

they neared her destination,

voice was

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