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?"

meal, responded,

puzzled. Rosalind's sudden invitation to dinner had caught him off guard; only upon arrival did he realize she sought

even denied any romantic involvement

with Lysander, Rosalind was understandably

self-pity and annoyance coloring

assertive, perhaps won Lysander's

fork, fixing her with a serious gaze, "Don't think 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

were comforting, and Rosalind liked

lifted, she leaned in, a playful smile dancing on her lips, "And when do you suppose this person will

gaze, David's heart skipped a

unexpected

lively intelligence, seemed

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