?Chapter 697:


    “The consequences for spreading falsehoods are far too lenient. We need stricterws!”


    Elena met Ste’s gaze calmly.


    Ste nervously bit her lip, herplexion fluctuating between pale and flushed.


    Elena raised an eyebrow slightly. “I expect every major media outlet in the to publish a front-page retraction by tomorrow.”


    Feeling cornered and under the crowd’s scrutiny, Ste reluctantly muttered through clenched teeth, “Fine.”


    After resolving the issue with Ste and proving the photos were doctored, Elena and Wesley headed upstairs.


    In the elevator, Wesley simply watched Elena, clearly impressed. She was cool as a cucumber—totally in control and sharp as a tack. She even seemed to radiate a certain glow.


    Feeling his eyes on her, Elena turned her head slightly. “Why are you staring at me like that?” she asked.


    Wesley smirked. “You totally yed Ste into clearing your name, didn’t you?” His tone was filled with certainty.


    Elena didn’t even try to deny it. “It wasn’t the original n,” she admitted. “I just decided to when I saw her.”


    Wesley couldn’t help but look at her with admiration.


    If it weren’t for needing Ste’s help to publicly clear things up, Elena wouldn’t have wasted a second arguing with her. And Ste had unknowingly yed right into Elena’s hands, just as Elena had predicted.


    This five-star hotel was the fanciest ce in the, owned by Wesley’s family—the Spencers.


    There was always a suite on the top floor kept just for Wesley. After they settled into the suite, a waiter wheeled over a cart loaded with all kinds of delicious food, filling the table.


    Elena didn’t touch the food, looking at Wesley with a slight frown. Did he summon her just for a meal?


    Wesley immediately caught on to what she was thinking. As he arranged her silverware, he said, “Let’s eat first, then we can talk business.”


    Elena hadn’t eaten much all day, so she quietly began to eat.


    Wesley cut a piece of steak, his eyes fixed on her as she chewed slowly. Sensing his gaze, Elena looked up and met his eyes head-on. “What are you looking at?” she asked. Was there something wrong with her face?


    Your imagination thrives at  punt


    Though Elena didn’t care what most people thought of her, she hated being stared at while eating.


    Wesley ate the beef slowly, finding himself enjoying every bite as if it were the most delicious thing he’d ever tasted—especially because of herpany. He calmly wiped his mouth with a napkin. “I’m looking at you,” he said softly. He found herpletely fascinating.


    Elena frowned, confused. What could possibly be so interesting about her? He’d seen her plenty of times before.


    Her puzzlement was clear on her face, and Wesley couldn’t help but smile at her honest reaction. His smile wasn’t sarcastic or distant; it was genuine, full of pure enjoyment.


    After a soft chuckle, Wesley said, “I’ve been wanting a moment like this with you for a while now—just sharing a meal and enjoying yourpany. It’s even better than I imagined.”


    Elena looked even more baffled. Ever since Wesley helped her handle the effects of the aphrodisiac that night, his behavior had been odd. After finishing her meal, she ced her fork and knife on her te. “So, what did you really want to talk about?”


    Wesley took a slow sip of his champagne. “I wanted to talk about our rtionship,” he said.


    He had initially nned to help her with those photos, but now that she had handled the matter herself, he wanted to discuss what truly mattered to him.


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