Ranita washed her hands quietly, her expression cold and indifferent.
Shannon, undeterred, started talking to herself. “Ranita, were you having dinner with that Mr. John just now? We’re all friends, why don’t we sit together and chat?”
Ranita looked up.
“Shannon, I told you not to bother me. Are you deaf or something? If you really have an issue with your ears, I can introduce you to a specialist.”
Upon hearing this, Shannon immediately pouted and spoke with a sense of grievance. “Ranita… why do you always treat me with such disdain? Can’t we get along?”
“Shannon… did you lose your memory, or do you think I did? What have you done to me? Are you conveniently forgetting everything you said to me?”
Shannon’s face changed, but she remained defiant. “Ranita, I don’t know what you’re talking about!”
“You always claim that I’ve hurt you. If that’s the case, present some evidence. Otherwise, it’s just slander. Please stop talking about me in this way.”
“I know you’ve been holding a grudge against Brendon, but I really didn’t mean it…”
Ranita interrupted her. “Enough. Stop pretending to be innocent in front of me. It disgusts me.”
Ranita turned and walked away.
But just as Ranita had sat down, Shannon unexpectedly brought Brendon over, as if nothing had happened, and said, “Brendon, I told you I ran into Ranita! Look, she’s right here!”
“Hello, Mr. John. I didn’t expect you and Ranita to be here too. If I had known, we could have come together. What a coincidence!” Shannon exclaimed.
Augustus smiled and said, “What a small world! The owner of this restaurant is my friend, and I came to support his business.”
“Really? That’s even more coincidental! I also know Mr. Barker, the owner of this restaurant. I didn’t expect him to be friends with you, Mr. John!” Shannon said, but Leo Barker appeared before she could finish her sentence.
As soon as he arrived, his eyes fell on Shannon.
“Miss Murphy, why didn’t you say anything when you came in?” Leo greeted Augustus politely and sat down beside him. His gaze then shifted to Ranita, and he was pleasantly surprised. He joked, “Augustus, you’ve done well! Is this your new girlfriend? She’s quite beautiful!”
Augustus scoffed at him. “Leo, stop talking nonsense! This is my friend’s sister! Watch your words!”
“Alright, my bad!” Leo greeted Brendon and had originally planned to inquire further, but he encountered Brendon’s icy gaze. Without saying much, he left disappointedly.
“Ranita, Brendon and I won’t disturb you anymore. Enjoy your meal!” Shannon said, her wrist linked with Brendon’s arm. Her voice was sweet and gentle. “Mr. John, goodbye.”
Augustus didn’t want to make a scene, so he responded, “You two take care!”
After they left, Augustus let out a sigh of relief. “Indeed, there are always more talented people out there. Shannon is quite impressive!”
Ranita lowered her eyelashes, feeling a hint of sourness in her heart.
After finishing their meal, Augustus offered to drive Ranita home, but she declined since she had her own car. Ranita took the elevator down to the parking lot and started walking when suddenly someone grabbed her. Before she could scream, she caught a faint whiff of grapefruit.
Her heart skipped a beat as a man’s hand firmly gripped her waist.
The summer dress was thin, and she could clearly feel the warmth of his palm. Ranita was pulled forward, crashing into his body.
The enchanting atmosphere dissipated, leaving only a throbbing pain in her bones.
Ranita angrily growled in a low voice, “Brendon, what are you doing?”