Too late for a second chance (Lila and Dorian)

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."

him, her lips curling into a smile, but there was no warmth in her eyes. "Mr. Lane

stare but

redirecting the conversation back to

they had all more or less finished, Jamie stood up. "I'm gonna head

gone a moment when Vince also got up

hands, he stepped out of the restroom and took

"Jamie? What's up? I've noticed you haven't been in the best mood lately. Let's talk when we

small smile, but it

cheek. "Why are you pretending to be

fade. Instead of answering, she asked, "Have

abruptly.

though she

both step out and

earlier, and she

already left?" Jamie was

asked me to let you know. They said

nodded. "No worries. We were just about

to Vince and Xyla before heading out. Soren

her destination,

voice was soft and