?Chapter 319:


    And just like that, Steven knew. He was falling—hard.


    As the earlier tension faded,ughter and chatter slowly filled the room once more. Marlowe, ever the gracious host, urged everyone to rx and enjoy themselves.


    Steven, who had spent most of the evening watching Josie from a distance, seized the moment. With a practiced smile, he strolled over, champagne ss in hand—only to jostle his arm and send the sparkling liquid sshing all over her dress.


    A sudden hush fell as Josie gasped, staring down in disbelief at the shimmering stain spreading across her gown.


    Steven immediately set his ss aside and fixed her with a look of contrition. “Ms. Patel, I’m so sorry. That was entirely my fault. Please, let me make it right—I’ll cover the cost, no matter what. How about we exchange contact info so I can reimburse you for the dress?”


    Josie, regaining herposure, pressed a napkin to the spill and nced up at Steven, her expression unreadable.


    Wordlessly, she pulled out her phone. For a brief second, a sh of triumph flickered in Steven’s eyes—he fully expected her to hand over her cellphone number. Instead, she pulled up a payment code.


    “Mr. Harrison, just transfer it directly. This dress isn’t sold anymore, and it set me back 178,000 dors. But let’s keep it simple—make it 180,000.”


    For a beat, the group fell silent before Anson and the others dissolved into barely-containedughter, unable to hold it in any longer.


    Steven hardly cared about the money—it was Josie’s number he was after. If she offered it, he would have dly handed over 800,000 dors on the spot. He put on an apologetic smile. “Looks like I’ve maxed out my card for today. How about we add each other and I’ll send the payment tomorrow, once the limit resets?”


    Josie looked him over, easily seeing through his intentions. “Only one card, Mr. Harrison?”


    “All of them are maxed out,” Steven answered smoothly, as if that was perfectly reasonable.


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    She let out a quietugh and remarked, “You must have a rather advanced spending habit. In that case, please don’t worry about my dress—I wouldn’t want to add to your financial burden.”


    He tried again, a note of insistence in his voice. “No, really, I’d like to make it up to you. How about this, Ms. Patel—tomorrow I’ll call yourpany and deliver thepensation in person?”


    Josie arched a brow, amused. “If you’re set on the hassle, I certainly won’t stand in your way.”


    With that, she slipped away, making her way over to join Ste’s conversation. When Marlowe discovered that Ste was the creative force behind Yusip Twasto, her excitement was palpable. Sheunched into an enthusiastic conversation about jewelry, her eyes shining with genuine interest. “Sylvia, when’s your next collectioning out? Can I reserve a spot on the pre-order list?”


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