Yvonne didn’t say anything at first. She simply observed them quietly, her eyes flickering between them as if trying to piece together what was happening. Her gaze traveled up and down, as if searching for clues to their relationship.
After a moment, she managed a smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “What a coincidence. Most of the guests at Noir Restaurant are couples. Are you two…?”
Stella clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug deep into her flesh. The sharp pain only heightened the frustration bubbling inside her. She desperately wanted to say something, to explain to Yvonne that she had nothing to do with Weston, but the words wouldn’t come. She longed to voice the truth, but even she knew how hypocritical it would sound. What could she say? Yvonne would only think she was another woman caught in an affair.
The silence stretched on, heavy and thick, until Weston’s voice broke through it. “We just happened to meet. There’s nothing special.”
Yvonne nodded slowly, the smile still on her lips, though it didn’t quite match the skepticism in her eyes. She seemed to accept his explanation, but the casual tone didn’t mask her underlying doubt. Her gaze shifted to Stella, lingering for a moment, filled with an unspoken question.
Stella couldn’t meet her eyes. What could she possibly say? Weston had forced her into this situation—how could she explain that to Yvonne? Would she even believe it? The two of them had only become acquaintances recently; it was perfectly reasonable not to trust her. Still, Stella felt a pang of guilt, as though she was somehow complicit in all of this.
Weston seemed to sense her discomfort. He stepped forward, blocking Yvonne’s line of sight as he took control of the conversation. “If there’s nothing else, we’ll be leaving.”
Lucas, who had been silent the entire time, placed a hand on Yvonne’s shoulder. “See you next time, Mr. Ford.”
Weston gave a curt nod, his attention fully on Stella as he guided her away without a second glance. Behind them, Yvonne remained still, her eyes following their retreating forms, her expression complicated, her thoughts unreadable.
Lucas, ever perceptive, watched her closely. “Don’t worry about other people’s business. Focus on yourself.”
Yvonne’s eyes narrowed in response, a flicker of irritation flashing across her face. “I was just surprised. Ella seemed like such a good person… I didn’t think she would…” Her voice trailed off, unable to finish the thought, unable to say the words she was thinking. She had always disliked Guinevere, but even she had to admit that Weston and Guinevere were a couple. So why was Ella acting like this?
Yvonne couldn’t shake the sense of disappointment that gnawed at her. She had always been fond of Stella—not just because they looked alike, but because their experiences and personalities seemed so similar. Yvonne had never imagined that Stella would be involved in something like this.
Lucas could see the shift in her mood. “She’s just a colleague from the training center. Is she really worth all this worry?”
Yvonne fell silent, her gaze fixed on the window as the car moved along. She sighed every now and then, clearly lost in her thoughts. She didn’t respond to him right away, but instead, occasionally shook her head, as if trying to shake off the confusion.
Lucas, unable to stand her melancholy, put the documents he had been holding aside and pulled her into his arms. “It’s my birthday today. Should you be so concerned about someone else?” he teased, his fingers pinching her cheek playfully.
Yvonne managed a faint smile, though it was more out of habit than true amusement. “You’ve known her for such a short time. It’s only natural you don’t know her well enough yet. Don’t let this get to you.”
Yvonne didn’t say anything at first, but then she reached up and pinched his cheek in return. “Forget it. Today is your birthday, so I’ll stop.”
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