Elissa couldn’t quite read his intentions and shrank back a little. “Are you nning to set me up with someone, Mr. Murphy?”


    Rowan’s broad shoulders nearly engulfed her as he leaned in, his tone coaxing, “Well, I could. What are you looking for?”


    She hesitated, caught off guard by her own words. If she backed out now, Rowan would only tease her more, so Elissa straightened up and tried to sound serious as she thought over her answer.


    Her old type had always been someone like Frank–refined, gentle, the textbook gentleman.


    But now? That was exactly what she wanted to avoid.


    She couldn’t quite put her finger on what she actually wanted, but she knew for certain what she didn’t. “Just… not the refined, gentle, well–mannered sort. Actually, theplete opposite would be better. And he shouldn’t be the kind of guy who’s intimidated by the Atwater family.”


    Evan grinned from the front seat. “Miss Elissa, if you want the opposite of gentle and refined, you’re basically asking for someone cold,


    sharp–tongued, and unapologetically bold.”


    He chuckled, ncing at her in the rearview mirror. “You sure you’re not just describing your brother? In all of Vistapeak, he’s probably the only one who isn’t afraid of the Atwater family’s name.”


    Elissa froze, her mind going nk for a moment.


    He wasn’t wrong.


    What was the difference between this and just reading off Rowan’s ID?


    But where would she get the nerve to mess around with Rowan?


    The car cruised steadily down the street, city lights flickering across Rowan’s face as he leaned in even closer, his eyes narrowing as if to ask <ol start="10"><li>10<b>. </b></li></ol>


    when she’d grown so daring.


    Elissa’s heart


    Rowan’s low, toned in her chest, and just as she opened her mouth,


    Rowan’s low, teasing voice drifted down, “So, it’s not enough to want an open marriage–you’re after a forbidden rtionship now too?”


    A nine–year sibling bond–yes, that was about as forbidden as it got.


    Since childhood, that subtle, familiar scent had always lingered around him, and now it seemed to press in on her from every direction, making her painfully aware of how out–of–bounds these thoughts were.


    Her cheeks burned, even her ears felt hot. She shoved Rowan back into his seat, flustered. “Get over yourself. Even if I wanted a forbidden rtionship, I’d never dare with you.”


    Rowan’s lips twitched with the barest hint of a smile, but when he met her gaze again, his expression was cool and detached, just as usual. “There’s no shortage of people who want me. Get in line.”


    Elissa couldn’t believe how conceited he was. She was so embarrassed she wished the ground would swallow her up. Desperate to change the subject, she nced at Evan. “te, are we almost at the restaurant?”


    “Next corner,” Evan replied.


    As soon as she stepped out of the car, the brisk night air cooled her flushed cheeks, and the tension finally eased from her shoulders.


    Rowan had brought her to a ssic, old–school restaurant–one of Vistapeak City’s most prestigious. Its reputation wasn’t just about the food but the exclusivity; dining here was a statement. Ordinary folks couldn’t get a reservation without booking months in advance.


    Thest time Elissa had been here, it was with Rowan too.


    It was his twentieth birthday. Elissa had scraped together her own money to treat him and his friends to a feast.


    After dinner, his friends tried to shoo her home, saying the next round wasn’t suitable for little sisters. Rowan had just taken her hand and shot them down. “Go have your fun. I have to take her to her lesson.”


    10:43


    She’d had tutoring that evening.


    Back then, Rowan never once missed picking her up or dropping her off.


    How quickly time passed. In the blink of an eye, ten years had gone by.


    Rowan paused in the entryway and nced back at her. “Is this ce too pricey for you?”


    Elissa snapped back to the present and shook off the memories, catching up in a few brisk steps. “I’m not that stingy.”


    The restaurant had been remodeled in thest couple of years, all sleek lines and modern touches–no trace of its old self remained.


    The owner hadn’t changed, though. He personally led them to a private dining room.


    “You order,” Elissa said, sliding the menu–filled with seasonal prices across to Rowan.


    He didn’t stand on ceremony. Without even looking at the menu, he rattled off a list of dishes, clearly a regr.


    When he finished, the owner raised an eyebrow. “No stuffed bitter melon tonight?”


    Rowan nodded toward Elissa and replied in his calm, understated way, “She doesn’t eat it.”


    10:43


    Chapter <b>139 </b>