The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet



David quickly glanced up at her, and for once, the usually composed man had a storm brewing in his eyes. He hadn't even finished chewing his food when he forcefully swallowed it down to meet Rosalind's bright eyes. "Ms. Whitman, are you pulling my leg here?"

His heart raced as he blurted out the question. At his words, the sparkle in Rosalind's eyes seemed to dim instantly. "Forget it, you're really no fun," she sighed, picking up her chopsticks again and idly poking at the food on her plate, clearly out of sorts.

David could tell she was genuinely upset and ventured cautiously, "Ms. Whitman, don't you have any suitors?"

"What do you mean by that?" Rosalind snapped, a hint of anger in her voice.

David hurried to clarify, "Don't get me wrong. I mean, with someone as accomplished and beautiful as you, Ms. Whitman, not to mention your family background, I'd think you'd have plenty of admirers."

"I've been so focused on Lysander all these years, I haven't had the chance to glance at another man. And whether other men have taken an interest in me, I've been completely oblivious," Rosalind admitted. It felt odd to say it out loud, but it was the truth.

With her heart set on Lysander, she truly had no room for anyone else. Somehow, hearing Rosalind say this made David feel as if a weight had been lifted from his chest.

"Maybe now you'll start noticing the men around you," David said, eyes downcast as he picked up another piece of food, trying to seem as calm as possible, as if to say, I don't need to put all my hopes on one outcome, and besides, I deserve to be loved too.

Rosalind seemed to brighten up at that, smiling as she began to eat normally again. David forced a half-smile but said nothing more.

He was annoyed with himself. Why

had he dismissed her question as a joke? What if she had been serious? He had quickly dismissed any possibility between them with his

words, and immediately rehimet"

But once words are spoken, they can't be taken back, and he didn't have the courage to bring up the subject again, to give it another answer.

it.

"David, come on, eat up. If you don't like it, we can order something else. This one's on me, don't be shy," Rosalind said, noticing David's slow pace and assuming he didn't like the food, trying to sound generous.

David could tell that ever since he asked her not to joke, Rosalind's demeanor had become more formal and polite. Gone was the casual ease, replaced with a hint of a woman's caprice. This shift made David's heart ache, but he knew it was his own doing.

After years of conducting business with Lysander, he had mastered the art of negotiation and poise but never learned how to interact with women, let alone make them happy. It was truly challenging!

"These dishes are fine, thank you for your consideration, Ms. Whitman." Even though David deeply regretted pushing Rosalind away, his words still came out cold and distant. He wished he could kick himself!

Normally, he treated business clients with courteous respect, maintaining a safe distance. But with Rosalind, why did he keep doing the same? Rosalind, ever understanding, simply replied, "No worries."

In just a few exchanges, they had grown distant, as if they were strangers meeting for the first time. David was internally panicking but managed to maintain his cool

el.

exterior, pretending he didn't care about the growing gap between him and Rosalind. ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

He dared not speak again, fearing he'd only make things worse.