Romina was momentarily stunned, reacting instinctively.


    Her mind raced, as if recalling the promise she had made to have dinner with him before.


    She did indeed still owe him a meal.


    She just hadn’t expected him to bring it up at such a moment.


    After a brief hesitation, Romina was about to speak, but Joaquin beat her to it: “You’re not thinking of using some excuse like ‘I don’t have time today‘ or ‘next time‘ to brush me off, are you?”


    Romina was immediately at a loss, unsure how to respond.


    Joaquin looked down at her, and seeing her expression, knew he had guessed her thoughts.


    “Give me the car keys.”


    The man reached out his hand to her, his face indifferent as he looked at her.


    Romina was suddenly taken aback, a little confused: “What’s wrong?”


    “Let’s have dinner together tonight. We’ll take your car.


    ”


    Romina looked up at him, curiously asking, “What about your car?”


    Joaquin replied in a t tone, his face showing little emotion: “Erick is in the car. He’ll drive it backter.”


    Romina nodded thoughtfully, then handed the car keys to him.


    Romina opened the rear door, but from the driver’s seat came the man’s deep voice: “Sit in the front.”


    Her hand on the door handle paused abruptly.


    After a moment’s hesitation, she finally stepped forward, walked around the front of the car, and headed to the passenger seat.


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    chapter152


    288 Vouchers


    At that moment, memories of the two of them together kept flooding her mind.


    The noise of the piano and fragmented memories from the second floor surged over her like a tidal wave.


    For a moment, she forgot to fasten her seatbelt.


    A familiar aura closed in on her instantly.


    Just as Romina lifted her gaze, she saw Joaquin’s strikingly handsome profile.


    Her hand resting on her thigh involuntarily clenched for a moment, and her heart sank.


    She instinctively leaned back a little, her voice betraying her nervousness: “Mr. Bowman, what are you doing?”


    The man reached out his well–defined hand and grabbed the seatbelt on her right.


    His voice was deep: “Sitting in the passenger seat and you forget to fasten


    Romina’s heart leapt into her throat.


    your seatbelt?”


    She quickly pulled the seatbelt from his hand and smiled lightly: “I can do it myself.”


    The distance between them was too close, making her cheeks flush instantly.


    Joaquin curled his lips carelessly and let out a low, huskyugh: “Ms. Sandoval, what are you so nervous about?”


    The man sat back in his seat and fastened his own seatbelt.


    “Am I?” Romina said, feigning nonchnce, “I don’t think so! Why would I be nervous?”


    Joaquin’s smile deepened, but he didn’t say anything more.


    When they arrived at the restaurant, Romina was momentarily stunned by the scene before


    her.


    He had brought her to a very upscale Western restaurant.


    ces like this weren’t cheap; a meal could easily cost tens of thousands. Fortunately, she had repaired that antique vase and earned eighty thousand, otherwise she wouldn’t have been able to afford tonight’s dinner.


    After they sat down facing each other, the man looked up at her: “I don’t know what you like


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    :


    to eat, and since we’ve never had Western food together, I chose this ce. The steak here is quite good, you should try it. If you like it, you can bring Lina next time.”


    “Alright.”


    Romina nodded gently, unable to suppress the upward curve of her lips.


    The steak had just been served, and Romina had only taken a few bites when a shrill voice interrupted: “Romina? Joaquin?”


    Romina looked up at the sound, and when she saw the man in front of her, her brows furrowed involuntarily.


    Why did she always run into these two wherever she went?


    How unlucky!


    Joaquin followed her gaze and lifted his eyelids slightly.


    When he saw Jericho and Nadine standing nearby, his bright eyes suddenly took on a chilling coldness.


    The man put down his knife and fork, his tone casual: “Jericho, what a coincidence.”


    Jericho hadn’t even responded when Nadine suddenly interjected: “Mr. Bowman, why are you having Western food with her? And just the two of you!”


    Joaquin curled his lips into a cold smile, looking even more nonchnt: “If steak isn’t for two, should it be for three? I’m not one for crowds, nor do I have that kind of hobby.”


    Everyone could hear the double meaning in his words.


    A seemingly ordinary remark, yet it was a veiled jab at Jericho and Nadine’s rtionship.


    “Romina,e with me. I have a few things to say to you…”


    Jericho grabbed Romina’s hand and quickly pulled her up.


    “Jericho.”


    Joaquin picked up a wet wipe, dabbed at the corner of his mouth, and then slowly put it down, his movements elegant and unhurried.


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