He appeared here, but it wasn''t as if he intended to join them or to stir up trouble.


    Looking at Charlene, he spoke with an easy familiarity, "Heading out to eat with Mr. Harden?"


    Charlene nodded. "Yeah."


    "You''ll be backter, right?"


    "That''s right."


    She still had unfinished business to take care of and needed to return afterward.


    Gaylord nodded. "Alright, I''lle find you a bitter then."


    With that, he said nothing more. He nced briefly at Granger before turning and walking away.


    Granger knew perfectly well that Gaylord was provoking him.


    Gaylord was making it clear that, while Granger had to go to great lengths just to invite Charlene out, Gaylord knew all about her schedule and had plenty of chances to spend time with her. He didn''t even feel the need to y petty games or sabotage Granger''s efforts.


    But Granger didn''t let the provocation get under his skin. He wasn''t upset or anxious.


    Truth be told, from what he could see, Charlene didn''t seem interested in either of them—at least not in the way they hoped. So, he and Gaylord were really just two sides of the same coin.


    If he had a choice, Granger would rather Charlene developed feelings for one of them—even if it wasn''t him—than remainpletely indifferent.


    A while back, Daisy had been taken home by her grandmother, and Granger had mentioned it to Charlene before.


    Now, as they arrived at the restaurant, Charlene realized it had been some time since she''d heard anything about Daisy. Unable to hold back, she asked, "How''s Daisy doing these days?"


    Her question warmed Granger''s heart. "She''s doing well. She called a couple of days ago and said she misses you said she wants toe back and y with you."


    Charlene smiled. "That''d be lovely."


    Speaking of Daisy, Granger hesitated for a moment before adding, "I heard Minnie''s training has gone well this time, too. She''ll probably win something at the nextpetition."


    When Charlene heard him mention Jasmine, she lowered her gaze and


    murmured a quiet "Mm." Before she could say more, the private dining room door swung open abruptly.


    "Granger!"


    Granger''s face fell the instant he heard the voice.


    Charlene, on the other hand, remainedpletely unruffled.


    Leah barged in, her eyes wide with surprise when she spotted Charlene. "What are you doing here?"


    Charlene had no intention of answering.


    Granger fixed Leah with a cold stare. "Why are you here?"


    Granger had always been distant with her, but this was the first time he''d spoken


    to her with such undisguised coldness.


    Leah was so startled by his harshness that she stammered, “I—I...”


    "Leah, that''s not polite," Katie and Georgina arrived just then.


    They, too, were surprised to see Charlene, but knowing that Granger and PrimeStar still maintained a solid business partnership, they didn''t think much of Grangerand Charlene dining together.


    Georgina offered a polite smile. "Sorry, Granger, Leah shouldn''t have interrupted your dinner."


    Granger still respected Georgina and Katie as elders, so he nodded. "It''s alright."


    But he showed no such courtesy to Leah. "Ms. Spencer, you and I are hardly acquainted. I hope this won''t happen again. Do you understand me, Ms. Spencer?"


    He wasn''t just warning her he was drawing a line in the sand.


    Leah truly liked Granger. Hearing


    him reject her so firmly, espin


    front of Charlene, she was so hurt that tears welled up and spilled over. She choked out, "I—I didn''t mean to-"


    But Granger''s heart didn''t soften.


    Since the subject was out in the open, he decided to be absolutely clear. "If not mistaken, Ms. Spencer, you seem to have feelings for me. But let me be perfectly honest-I''m not interested. There''s no possibility for anything between us. I hope you''ll respect those boundaries from now on."