?Chapter 653:


    “Oh dear, I’m getting forgetful in my age!” Quinton suddenly eximed. “I have a meeting this afternoon. I need to hurry over there before it starts.”


    He stood up to leave.


    “I’m terribly sorry about this, Ms. Hudson, Mr. Howe. But I’m afraid I must go.”


    “Take care, Dr. Ross,” Alex said nonchntly, standing up as well to see him off.


    A momentter, Sadie and Alex were left alone. The air between them was suddenly charged, and a love song started ying in the background. They suddenly looked like they were dating.


    Sadie felt a wave of unease and tried to look for a graceful exit. But Alex suddenly reached across the table and took her hand.


    “Sadie.”


    Sadie stiffened at the contact.


    “Sorry,” Alex continued, his expression sheepish and apologetic. “I didn’t realize the restaurant’s vibe before booking it.” He feigned ignorance.


    Sadie quietly withdrew her hand. “I’m very grateful to you for all your help these past three years, Mr. Howe. As for everything else… I’m sorry.”


    Alex’s smile froze for a few seconds, but he quickly regained hisposure. “It’s all right, no worries at all,” he said with a light-hearted tone. “We can still share a meal, can’t we? As friends?”


    Sadie finally allowed herself to rx.


    Before long, their table wasden with ssic dishes. Alex, ever the gentleman, offered to cut Sadie’s steak for her. “Is there still no news from Rosewood Hospital?” he asked, his tone concerned.


    Sadie shook her head. Three years, and there was still no news whatsoever. Noah seemed to have vanished into thin air.


    Alex carefully put the te of steak in front of her. “Don’t lose hope. We’ll see him eventually.”


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    Sadie mustered a weak smile and thanked him.


    Unbeknownst to the two, a pair of eyes was watching them from the shadows.


    Briley was hiding behind a nearby pir, nibbling on her thumb as she watched Alex and Sadie. That faint, demure smile on Sadie’s face drove Briley mad with jealousy.


    Who gave her the right to dine with Alex and smile at him like that? Briley gnashed her teeth together as a wave of resentment surged in her heart.


    Sadie was openly flirting with Alex! Just how shameless could she get? The fact that they looked like a perfect match only angered Briley even more.


    She hade here to try her luck and see if she would happen to run into Alex. Well, she did. The problem was, Alex was with Sadie!


    The more Briley thought about it, the more she hated Sadie.


    Meanwhile, Sadie had very little appetite, and after a few bites, she spent the rest of the meal pushing her food around on her te. Alex, on the other hand, was very talkative. He never failed to find a new topic to discuss. But even his enthusiasm had no effect on Sadie. She just smiled politely and gave him short responses every now and then.


    “I’m going to the restroom.”


    “All right. I’ll wait for you here.”


    Alex stood up to watch Sadie leave, his brows slightly furrowed. In the distance, Briley saw Sadie walk away and knew her chance hade. She adjusted her expression and pretended to act casual as she walked toward Alex.


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