?Chapter 191:


    As Steven handed her utensils, she reached out to take them—only to knock her phone off herp.


    It hit the floor with a crisp ck, making her jump slightly.


    Ste bent down to pick up her phone, and when she straightened up, she noticed Steven’s hand gently covering the sharp edge of the table. “Thank you,” she said softly.


    “Ms. Gilbert, there’s no need to be so formal,” he replied with a smile. While waiting for the food, the two started discussing technical specs and project ideas.


    The AC in the private room was a bit too strong, and partway through the conversation, Ste subconsciously rubbed her arms. She’d worn a short-sleeved blouse and was starting to feel chilly.


    Without her saying a word, Steven noticed. He stepped outside and gged down a waiter. “Could you raise the temperature a bit? And bring a pot of warm water, please.” His attentiveness caught Ste off guard.


    She hadn’t said anything—just a small reflex—and he noticed right away?


    That… was unexpectedly thoughtful.


    Once the room warmed up, Ste rxed.


    The food was delicious, the setting quiet, and throughout the meal, she genuinely feltfortable in hispany. Once the project talk was over, the topic shifted.


    “Ms. Gilbert, have you always been on your own?”


    “For now, yeah,” Ste answered calmly. It was the truth. She was single, in and simple.


    Steven said, “Someone as impressive as you should definitely take their time choosing the right person.”


    Ste took a sip of water, her gaze steady. “Love doesn’t always go ording to n.”


    You could have a checklist a mile long, and it still wouldn’t guarantee the right person.


    Steven smiled, then asked casually, “So what kind of guy do you like, Ms. Gilbert?”


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    As he spoke, he reached over to refill her half-empty water ss.


    By now, Ste had a pretty good idea of what direction this was heading. “My focus right now is work. I haven’t given much thought to rtionships.”


    A gentle, graceful rejection.


    Steven’s smile faded just a touch. But he didn’t push further.


    He admired her—the real kind of admiration. Even if she wasn’t interested now, there would be other chances.


    “Fair enough,” he said, raising his ss slightly. “Here’s to a great partnership ahead.” They clinked sses.


    When dinner wrapped up, they walked out of the restaurant together.


    “Where are you headed?” Steven asked. “I’ll give you a ride.”


    Before Ste could respond, a ck Bentley rolled up right in front of them.


    The window slid down—William.


    His expression was calm, like this just happened to be a coincidence. “Headed back to the research institute?”


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