His <b>words </b><b>were </b>both <b>a </b>reminder and a warning<b>. </b>Without sparing <b>Victoria </b>another nce, <b>Jack </b><b>turned </b>and walked
<b>away</b><b>. </b>
<b>Victoria </b><b>bit </b>her lip as she watched his retreating back, her heart filled with relief. Thankfully, she had agreed <b>to </b>work with <b>Xena </b>earlier. Otherwise<b>, </b>she really wouldn’t know what to do now.
With that problem resolved, the heavy weight pressing on her chest finally lifted<b>, </b>and her mood brightened. But when she thought back <b>to </b>the restaurant earlier, when Liz had clearly <b>seen </b>her yet deliberately ignored her, irritation flickered in her eyes.
If Liz wanted to make her ufortable, then Liz shouldn’t expect things to go smoothly for herself either. Victoria pulled out her phone and dialed a number, her voice sharp with arrogance. “I didn’t give you all that money just for some worthless online post. You have three days. I want Lizpletely ruined!”
She ended the call and nced back toward the restaurant, the corner of her lips curling into a cold smile.
Meanwhile, Liz and William were already seated inside a private dining room.
Liz picked up the menu and looked at him. “<b>Mr. </b>Sanders, when’s your friending? Should we wait before ordering?”
William’s expression didn’t waver as he lied smoothly. “Something came up for him today. He won’t be able to make it.”
“Alright then. Let’s order now. Next time he’s free, I’ll treat him to dinner too.”
“Sure.”
After they finished cing their order and the server left with the menu, William turned to her. “Yesterday you mentioned you resigned. I know a few partners at differentw firms. Do you want me to rmend you for an interview?”
Earlier that morning, he had received a call from Josh and learned that Liz had turned him down.
Liz shook her head. “I appreciate the offer, but it’s alright. already have other ns.”
“Fair enough. But if you ever need anything, you can always reach out to me.”
“Okay.”
She lowered her head, lifted her ss of water, and took a sip. Just as she was about to speak again, her phone
rang<b>. </b>
Seeing it was Jane, she nced apologetically at William. “Sorry, let me take this call.”
He nodded. “Go ahead.”
When Liz answered, her hand <b>identally </b>brushed the speakerphone button. The moment the <b>call </b>connected, Jane’s voice boomed through the quiet room.
“Liz! I can’t believe younded William already! Our campus queen’s <b>reputation </b><b>really </b>lives up to its name<b>! </b>Hahaha<b>!</b>”
Realizing what had happened, Liz quickly pulled the phone away<b>, </b>fumbling to turn <b>off </b>the speaker. <b>In </b>her <b>panic</b>, she identally pressed mute instead.
<b>Jane’s </b><b>voice </b><b>carried </b><b>loud </b>and clear straight into William’s <b>cars</b><b>. </b>
<b>+15 </b>BONUS
At <b>that </b><b>moment</b><b>, </b>Liz <b>wished </b><b>the </b>floor would open up and swallow her whole, or that she could smash her head into something and end it right there.
She didn’t even dare look at William. She hurriedly turned off both mute and speakerphone and blurted <b>into </b>the phone, <b>“</b>I’m <b>busy </b>right now. I’ll talk to youter.<b>” </b>
Terrified <b>of </b>another slip, she hung up immediately.
Setting the phone down on the table, she cautiously lifted her head. When her eyes met William’s amused gaze, her entire face turned bright red.
She nervously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and stammered, “Mr. Sanders<b>, </b>my friend was just joking around. Please don’t take it seriously.<b>” </b>
William arched a brow, his lips tugging into a faint smile. “Don’t worry. But I’d say your college friends have pretty good taste.”
Hearing that only made Liz’s embarrassment worse.