From the side, Mrs. Lowe Sr. was watching the young pair across the table with growing fondness. The more she looked, the more she liked what she
She leaned toward Mandy and whispered, “Miss Riley a
and Scott make such a lovely couple. Do you know if she has a boyfriend?”
Mandy smiled. “Don’t worry, Morn–already chocloid–she’s single.”
Mrs. Lowe Sr.’s face lit up instantly, her smile so wide it almost couldn’t be contained. <b>“</b><b>That’s </b>wonderful. Just wonderful.”
Mr. <b>Low </b><b>Sr.</b>, now eighty–three, was still remarkably healthy and sharp Cheerful and full of energy, he slid the menu across to Charlotte with a warm grin. “Miss Riley, please–order whatever you like.”
As the guest, Charlotte didn’t decline. She took the menu with ease and smiled. “Then I won’t hold back.”
The restaurant specialized in Japanese cuisine. Charlotte scanned the menu and chose a few dishes–light, fresh<b>, </b>and reasonably priced–ones that both elders and children <b>could </b>enjoy
After cing her order, Charlotte handed the menu back to the elderly gentleman with a warm smile “Mr. Lowe Sr., I’m done. Please take a look.” Her warm sme made him light up. He looked at Charlotte as if she were already his granddaughter–inw.
“Wright, alright,” he said cheerfully, taking the menu with a <b>broad </b>smile.
Across the table, Tim observed everything with a calm and unreadable expression. Aside from thanking Charlotte earlier, he hadn’t said another word He knew Sean Jasper.
Hispany had an ongoing partnership with the Jasper Corporation: He <b>had </b>even attended Sean’s engagement party the year before. The invitation had been addressed to both him and Mandy, but she had been overseas on a business trip at the time and wasn’t able to attend
Which meant Mandy still didn’t know that Charlotte had once been engaged to Sean.
When Tim first saw Charlotte that evening, he had been genuinely caught off guard. But he was good at keeping his emotions in check. Even if something surprised him, it never showed on his face.
He could see that the Lowe family–especially his wife–was clearly hoping to set Scott up <b>with </b>Charlotte
But Charlotte and Sean that wasn’t something he could ignore
Timm made <b>a </b>mental note to speak with Mandy after dinner and exin Charlotte’s past with Sean.
The meal itself was pleasant enough. Scott and Charlotte talked about some of the moreplex cases the firm had recently taken on.
After dinner, the group left the private room chatting and <bughing</b>.
Mandy gave Scott a knowing look again.
Scott picked up on it immediately.
“I’ll walk you out, Miss Riley,” he offered.
Charlotte gently declined. “It’s okay, Mr. Luces. I drove here myself, and I didn’t drink I’ll be fine to drive
Scon nodded. “Alright then<b>.</b>”
When the elevator reached the first floor, the doors opened–and Charlotte came face–to–face withn and Mia
Outside the elevator, the two were practically tangled together. The moment they saw her, they sprang apart like they had been electrocuted, Mia’s face flushed bright red. She stammered, “Lottle, w–what are you doing here?”
Charlotte stepped out of the elevator with a nod, her expression unreadable.
Tin pave Scort a long, meaningful nce.
Charlotte took Mia by y the arm and pulled her aside. <b>She </b>turned to Scott and said, “Mr. Lucas, you go ahead. I’ll talk with my friends for a bit.” Scon nodded. “Alright.
Mandy smiled sweetly. “We’ll bead off, then, Miss Riley Let’s have dinner again sometime soon. Tiana, say goodbye to your big sister.” Tiana obediently waved and said in her soft little voice, “Goodbye, Miss Riley, ”
Tim <b>gave </b>Charlotte a polite nod in farewell
Mr. and Mrs. Lowe St. offered their goodbyes as well.
Mrs. Lowe Sr. beamed “Lottie, you muste visit us sometime.”
Charlotte didn’t want to
to disappoint her, so she replied warmly, “Of course. I’d love to
Mrs. Lowe Sr. lit up with joy. “It’s settled, then! See you next time. Take care now!”
D