The Billionaire's Secret Quartet

In the cutthroat world of business, it's your skills that count. Trying to cozy up to others only cheapens your worth.

Lydia was about to retort, "Then why, when you dine with me, do you flash that smug grin, Ethan?"

But the words caught in her throat before they could escape.

She could already foresee Ethan's response, claiming his demeanor shifted solely because it was her he was with. Such spontaneous declarations of affection were her kryptonite. Lydia fell silent, opting instead to dive into her meal with gusto.

Noticing her fervent focus on the food, Ethan presumed she was genuinely famished and chose not to disturb her further, leaving only the sound of their chewing to fill the charged atmosphere. Meanwhile, in another booth...

David and Rosalind sat opposite each other, enveloped in a similarly romantic ambiance.

Rosalind idly pushed around the food on her plate, voicing her melancholy thoughts, "Do you think I'm truly off-putting?"

enjoying his meal, responded, "Why would you think

off guard;

years, always tagging along like a loyal puppy, and yet, he's dismissed me outright. To be with Thalassa, he even denied any romantic involvement with my sister Harper

missed her chance with Lysander, Rosalind was understandably downcast, eager

self-pity and annoyance

perhaps won Lysander's affection,

like that. Love can't be forced. Lysander probably sees you more as a sister, which is why romance hasn't blossomed. It's not a matter of your worth but rather the absence of a romantic destiny between you.

and Rosalind

smile dancing on her

by her lively yet intelligent gaze, David's heart

moment, he felt an unexpected shyness, unable to meet

brimming with a lively intelligence, seemed to hook his