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Chapter 4

Seth POV

I had an empty seat next to me, and Shawn walked over and was about to sit down when Wesley pushed him, saying, "Sit over here with me."

Shawn seemed to be momentarily stunned, and it wasn't until Wesley said, "Lorena, why don't you sit next to Seth?" that he reacted.

"No need," Lorena glanced at me and shook her head, "I won't disturb him and Miss Barlow."

With that sentence, everyone in the room turned to look at me. It was obvious that Lorena's words were directed at me, which made me quite angry. "Lorena, what are you implying?"

Nola and I were sitting peacefully, minding our own business, and Lorena suddenly said something like that, clearly with ulterior motives.

Lorena put on an innocent look, "No, really, I just think you two are a good match. I don't want to intrude."

"You're being sarcastic, aren't you?" I raised my chin slightly, my tone icy.

"Wrongfully accused," Lorena raised her hand, "I swear to God, I'm speaking from the heart. We have no emotional foundation, so why would I make snide remarks? Besides, the two of you, one handsome and the other beautiful, are a perfect match."

I scrutinized her with a discerning gaze. The woman in front of me was dressed very simply today, with white casual pants and a short brown T-shirt. The T-shirt was short, revealing her slender waist. Her baby-faced small face was bare, but it did not affect her attractiveness. On the contrary, her fair skin seemed to glow, and her features were fresh and natural.

Although we hadn't known each other for long, I knew that Lorena was not someone who would hide her emotions. She usually showed them directly through her eyes. At that moment, the clear eyes embedded in her small face had no hint of hostility.

I suddenly realized that what Lorena said might be true.

Initially, I should have taken it easy and acknowledged her self-awareness. But for some reason, an unnamed anger started brewing in my chest, and even my facial expression turned cold.

At that moment, Shawn suddenly said, "Lorena, I didn't expect you to be so generous. I misjudged you."

I couldn't help but play with the delicate teacup in my hand, my face showing a hint of danger. "What do you mean by generous? Explain it to me."

Shawn, seemingly unaware, continued with the gossip, "I have a friend who, ever since he got a mate, whenever he gets close to any woman outside, his mate would cause a big scene at home. Look at Lorena, when you saw Seth with Nola, you didn't feel jealous or envious. Instead, you showed understanding and tolerance. That's why I said you're generous."

I sneered. Generous? If she were generous, she wouldn't have taken away his blanket last night.

I have never seen a woman more petty and vindictive than her.

However, Lorena seemed to intentionally get closer to Shawn and said with a smile, "I know I'm not on Seth's level, and besides, I heard Miss Barlow is the world's top musician. I'm far inferior compared to her."

"You're too modest," Shawn said with a click of his tongue. "Lorena, actually, you're quite beautiful. If you were a bit more gentle with men and had a better temper, many men would like you."

"Thank you."

These two were inexplicably engrossed in conversation, while I gazed darkly, with a glimmer of hostility in my eyes.

Very well, first it was Wesley, and now I couldn't even win over this clueless Shawn. I underestimated Lorena.

I lazily narrowed my eyes and said, "Have we ordered yet? I'm almost full of drinking water."

"No, let's order." Wesley took the menu from the waiter, he didn't order anything but politely handed the menu to Lorena and me. "Ladies first."

I noticed that neither of them seemed to be focused on this dinner, they were just chatting with the people next to them. My annoyance grew, so I took another menu and handed it to Nola, who was sitting next to me. "You should order too."

Nola saw it and her smug expression became even more evident. I pretended not to notice her pretentiousness. "You can order the Abalone and Bluefin Tuna, they're both good choices, and the Fillet with Foie Gras, Seth loves it."

Lorena simply pushed the menu towards Nola. "Miss Barlow, you should come here often, so why don't you order? You know this place better."

Nola didn't refuse and ordered more than ten dishes. Shawn exclaimed, "Seth, look how deeply Nola cares for you, twelve dishes, five of which are your favorites."

Nola blushed shyly. I looked at Shawn and smiled, gritting my teeth as I said to him, "Make sure you eat plenty later."

"Thank you, but I won't starve myself," he replied.

I added, "After all, it's your own restaurant. If you choke later, I'll bury you."

Shawn's smile instantly disappeared, and he didn't say anything else. I continued to watch Lorena enthusiastically chatting with Wesley and the others, suppressing my anger.

Soon, the dishes were served one after another.

Nola wore gloves and skillfully peeled the shrimp for me. She leaned in close, pressing her chest against my arm before gently placing the peeled shrimp on the plate in front of me. It was clear that her intentions were not focused on the food, but on me.

"Seth, I remember you used to love this," Nola said, tilting her head coquettishly and looking at me with affectionate eyes. "The shrimp really does taste good. The first time I tried it was when you brought me here, and you peeled the shrimp for me."

I glanced at the woman in front of me, her face adorned with delicate makeup. I used to think she was alright, but today, there was an indescribable sense of disgust. I did indeed love the shrimp here, but she had ruined my appetite.

"Wesley, the shrimp here is indeed very fragrant and delicious, just as you said," Lorena suddenly spoke from the seat next to me. She was wearing two gloves and eating happily, without even looking over here.

Somehow, I felt a surge of frustration in my heart. I picked up my chopsticks and simply ate the shrimp that Nola had peeled.

Nola was overjoyed and peeled even more vigorously. Lorena, on the other hand, had just finished peeling the shrimp in her hand. When she looked up, she found that there were only a few peppers left in the large plate, and the rest had all been diligently peeled by Nola into my bowl.

Seemingly aware of her gaze, I picked up a piece of crystal-clear shrimp and smiled at Lorena, gently brushing my sexy lips. "This shrimp is truly irresistible."

Lorena sneered, not answering me, but turned to Nola and said, "Miss Barlow, if you ask me, you shouldn't spoil this man blindly." Lorena took off her gloves. "Peeling shrimp is generally a task for men, women usually just need to sit and eat."

Nola smiled and said, "Lorena, you are experienced indeed. With your beauty, there must have been many guys in college fighting to peel shrimp for you." After speaking, she turned to me and smiled, "It's these young girls who understand romance, truly enviable."

I pursed my lips and remained silent. The emotions inside me had already reached a boiling point.

"Miss Barlow is just joking. I must admit, I do have many admirers, but my focus is solely on my career."

I tease, "It sounds like you're really good at making money."

"Isn't that what being your mate is all about, making money?" Lorena laughs, her eyes twinkling like the moon, as if it's the most delightful thing.

I am taken aback, as is everyone else. Perhaps they have never seen a woman speak so candidly before.

Wesley is the first to burst into laughter, unable to contain himself. "Lorena, you're truly amusing."

I calmly rotate the teacup in my hand, my gaze slightly deepening. Sometimes, I really don't understand how there can be a woman like Lorena in this world.

Call her foolish, yet she sees through everything more clearly than anyone else. Call her intelligent, but when she gets tough, she is not at all likable.

After the meal, we leave the restaurant. It's already around one-thirty.

We all walk downstairs together, with Lorena and Wesley walking side by side at the front. Nola is chattering next to me about the meal, but I haven't paid a single word of it any attention.

As I arrived at the entrance, Shawn generously said to Lorena, "Lorena, next time you come here to eat, just let me know. You can eat as much as you want."

"Really?" Lorena replied with a smile, "Okay, then let's exchange numbers."

"Sure."

I didn't want to get involved, so I stood by and watched, waiting to see if Lorena would come and ask for my number. But after exchanging contact information with others, she put away her phone.

I almost crushed the screen of my phone that was in my pocket.

Shawn glanced at me expressionlessly and said to Lorena, "Lorena, don't you want Seth and Nola's numbers?"

Lorena froze for a moment and stole a glance at me. I remained unfazed.

Wesley gave Shawn a disdainful look and said, "They're mates, how can they not have each other's contact information?"

"Oh right," Shawn slapped his forehead.

No, we didn't have each other's phone numbers.

"Well, Lorena, can we exchange numbers?" Nola gently took out her phone and leaned forward, "If Seth ever has any trouble, you can contact me directly."

I furrowed my brow. What's wrong with Nola? I had made it clear to her, but she kept persisting. However, with so many people present, I couldn't ignore her and give her face. After all, I did choose to end the relationship with her.

"Alright," Lorena shrugged indifferently.

Afterwards, Nola turned to me and said, "Seth, I didn't drive here. Can you give me a ride back to the orchestra?"

"Let's go." I turned around expressionlessly and left. It wasn't that I really wanted to give her a ride back, but there was a knot in my heart that tightened when I saw Lorena.

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