?Chapter 270:


    Still, it felt like a lot to take in. A bit much, even for Ste. She stayed quiet, trying to make sense of everything Sharon had just said.


    Sharon gently patted her shoulder. “No pressure. Take your time. Just find someone who’s decent, someone you wouldn’t mind being around. That’s all.”


    Ste nced down at the menu again and ended up ordering a few more things.


    After dinner, Sharon brought her to a quiet lounge bar. The lights were soft, and someone was singing on stage—just enough music to fill the space without being too loud.


    The door opened, letting in a few more people. Ste looked up, and her heart gave a small jump. Marc and Tommy had just walked in.


    Her eyes lingered on Marc for barely a second before she quickly looked away. Sharon caught the direction of her nce, saw Marc, and instantly frowned. “Why do we keep running into these guys?” she muttered, clearly irritated. Was Choria really this tiny?


    “Sharon, it’s fine. Let’s just chill and enjoy our drinks.”


    Marc hadn’te out to cause trouble. All he wanted was to listen to a few songs and sip a cocktail or two. Bumping into Ste again wasn’t part of the n.


    He noticed she didn’t even nce his way. Lips pressed tight, he picked a table close enough to see her but not too close to seem obvious.


    A few minutester, a woman walked over to his table.


    “Hey, handsome, think we could swap numbers? Maybe grab a meal sometime?” She had on a tiny skirt and soft, wavy brown hair that framed her face just right. She looked confident—and she was definitely pretty.


    She handed Marc her phone with a yful smile. Johnny, watching from the side, let out a teasing whistle.


    But Marc didn’t smile back. His expression stayed t.


    He looked over at Ste again, still pretending he didn’t exist. His voice dropped as he said, “Sorry, I’m already in love with someone.”


    The woman paused, caught off guard, then slowly pulled her hand back. “That’s alright. We can still be friends,” she said with a shrug.


    He nced towards Ste’s direction again, and seeing she still hadn’t looked his way, he lost hisposure. Marc didn’t answer. He’d had enough. He stepped past the woman without another word and walked straight toward Ste.


    “Stel, you left this ring at home,” he said, holding it out in his hand. “I’ve been carrying it with me, hoping one day I’d get to put it back on your finger. Please, just give me another chance. Let me take care of you.”


    “Marc, can you stop being such a pest? You’re really messing up the mood,” Sharon snapped, fed up with his timing.


    She was losing it. All she wanted was to have a chill night with Ste and enjoy the music—but of course, Marc had to make it about him.


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