?Chapter 1111:


    The restaurant he chose was upscale and tastefully quiet, all soft lighting and private corners.


    Ian was already there when they arrived. He stood as soon as they entered, pulling out chairs for them like a gentleman from a different era.


    “Thank you for joining me tonight,” he said warmly.


    Throughout dinner, he kept the conversation light—his tone easy, his charm steady. Not a single misstep.


    He even noticed Ste’s preference for red wine and ordered a better bottle without being asked.


    Jasmine’s eyes were practically glowing as she stared at Ian. Sitting beside her, Ste could almost imagine the air around Jasmine sparkling with pink bubbles of infatuation.


    Taking a slow sip of her wine, Ste rested her chin on one hand and asked lightly, “With someone like you, Mr. Hayes, I’m guessing you don’t have a shortage of women chasing after you?”


    Ian gave a modest smile and handed a napkin to Jasmine. “Work keeps me too busy to think about dating. And besides…” He looked at Jasmine with a knowing smile. “It’s not easy to meet someone you really connect with.”


    Jasmine instantly felt the weight of his gaze, and her cheeks flushed bright red, almost like a ripe tomato.


    Ste hid a quiet scoff behind a polite smile, keeping her expression perfectlyposed.


    As dinner went on, she kept refilling her ss, pretending to drink too much until her words began to blur together.


    Jasmine frowned when she noticed Ste’s hazy eyes. She’d never seen her like this before. “Ste, maybe you should stop. You’ve had enough.”


    “I’m fine,” Ste murmured, waving a dismissive hand as she swayed to her feet. “Just need to… use the restroom.”


    Her steps faltered, as if she might fall, and Ian immediately reached out, steadying her by the arm. “Careful,” he said, concern in his voice.


    Ste gave him a faint smile, then slipped away.


    When she returned, she looked worse. Her cheeks were flushed, and she nearly dropped her ss as she sat down again.


    Discover tales at g ? ln σν?? ?? s,


    Jasmine kept her eyes on Ste, ready to catch her if she tipped over. “She’s definitely drunk. Maybe we should wrap things up?”


    Ian nodded calmly, not appearing the least bit bothered. “I didn’t drink, so I’ll drive you both home.”


    At that, Ste slowly lifted her head, her voice drowsy and slurred. “No… no need. I’ll call a driver.”


    “It’ste, and you’re in no state to wait around,” he said firmly. “Let me take you.”


    Jasmine didn’t argue. She helped Ste to the car, thanking Ian along the way.


    Once inside, Ste rested her head against the window, her eyes half-closed, lookingpletely out of it.


    Jasmine took the passenger seat up front, twisting around every few seconds to check on her friend.


    .


    .


    .