Summer shook her head. "That's not horrible enough."Gale said, "Anyway, I won't compromise myself."Summer thought for a moment. Her best friend had a strong character. She was not forlornly lovesick, watching her husband cheat on her helplessly. Something was not right.Summer nodded. "But you still need to be cautious. Today, it's Ivy; tomorrow, it could be another woman throwing herself at Shawn!""Why should I be cautious? It's up to the man to have self-control. If he wants to cheat, even if I'm with him 24/7, he'll find a way to indulge in temptations!"Summer nodded even harder. "Exactly. So, Gale, men don't matter, money does. You need to save some money in a different account. At critical moments, your own money is the most reliable. You can use it whenever you want without asking anyone!""I got it, I got it."After chatting, Summer lost her appetite, poking at her food. "Why can't men just be faithful? Is it that hard? Some women just can't keep themselves chaste, ev
It seemed like she had won. Joe was asking her if she wanted him to be her servant. Why did Summer feel like she had won so uncomfortably? She could not express what she was feeling. The more she thought about it, the more annoyed she became. "Hey, my child could already go out shopping by himself, and here you are, still single. I'm worried." Gale sighed repeatedly. "Summer, give me a straight answer. If you don't like Joe, just tell me directly. I'll keep an eye out for eligible guys around you. Maybe you'll meet one this month, start dating next month, and get married the month after...""Why are you rushing?""When you meet the right person, things move fast. Come on, tell me, do you really have feelings for Joe?" Gale said."I find you quite interesting. I'm leaving." Summer avoided her gaze, put down her cutlery, and walked away.If Gale kept asking, she would not know how to answer. Gale trailed behind her, smiling slyly. "Joe seems like a player, but he's actually just lo
He knew she would hesitate, so he first suggested inviting Mary.Then, if Gale still hesitated, he would step back, and take the opportunity to mention his birthday today.Then, Gale would soften, and she would have no reason to refuse him. She would definitely come tonight.Putting away her phone, Gale's face was almost crumpled with worry."Why do you look so gloomy? Just go, there's no harm in going," Summer said."If Shawn finds out...""He should!" Summer patted her shoulder. "If he can cuddle up with Ivy, you can have dinner with Aurum. What's wrong with that?"That made sense.Gale suddenly straightened up.Yeah, if he could get cozy with Ivy in those photos, why could not she have dinner with Aurum?Besides, today was Aurum's birthday. Going to celebrate was perfectly reasonable. She certainly would not be cuddling up with Aurum like that."Right." Gale nodded. "That's settled!"Summer felt very satisfying. "That's more like it, tit for tat! Let's see if Shawn dares
However, he and Ivy were completely innocent; Ivy did not even like him. They were only together because of work. It was different with Aurum and Gale. Aurum deeply loved Gale. In this situation, how could Shawn endure it?Summer deliberately asked, "Mr. Wood, Gale is just going to celebrate an old friend's birthday. It's completely within the bounds of normal social interaction, right? You're not angry, are you? You wouldn't be, right?"Shawn gave her a chilly glance.Summer was not intimidated; she even met his gaze.She was daring. Shawn must be really annoyed. Peach shrunk her neck and lowered her head, trying to minimize her presence.The scene was suffocating.Shawn snorted coldly and turned to leave.Summer crossed her arms, looking smug. "You're a hypocrite."Joe approached. "Who's a hypocrite? What are you talking about?"Startled, Summer quickly shook her head. "Nothing, I'm leaving! Going home!"Seeing Joe, she panicked, like a mouse seeing a cat.Summer did not d
Joe leaned in close. "Summer, I wanted you to win."Summer's back was pressed against the car, with Joe getting closer and closer to her. She had nowhere to hide."No, no, no." Summer waved her hands repeatedly, pressing against his chest to prevent him from getting closer. "I accepted the punishment for losing the previous bet willingly. That's where it ends!""But then we made another bet. I remember what we bet on."Not only did he remember, but Summer did too. The bet on whether Joe would fall in love with her. She bet he would not. Joe bet he would. It was a wager Summer had come up with after much deliberation. Now, looking back, Summer had no idea what she was thinking.Winning did not make her happy. No, wait, how could she possibly lose? If she lost, that meant Joe had fallen in love with her. Thinking of this, Summer suddenly looked at Joe."You, you...," she stuttered, not knowing what to say, her mind going blank."What about me?" Joe leaned in closer."Can we cance
Joe was roguishly handsome. The formal suit he wore did not conceal that roguish charm; instead, it accentuated it.His eyes were slightly upturned, and they seemed to hold endless affection. When he gazed at someone, it felt like he could draw their soul into his gaze."You don't want to win, so that's losing by default. Summer, it's your choice," Joe said.Her legs went weak, and she collapsed to the ground.Seeing this, Joe reached out to support her."What... what do you want?" Summer trembled as she asked."I want you."Summer was already dazed, and now it felt like a bolt from the blue had struck her head.Was Joe confessing?Was he?"For all these years, Summer, can't you see my feelings for you? Have you never felt anything? Or did you realize, but choose to ignore it?" Joe asked."The time you won the bet, we spent a month together like a couple. Weren't you happy? If we could live like that forever, wouldn't it be wonderful?""Summer, stop avoiding it and running
When did things between them start to change?Was it because they had slipped into a routine where they were together day after day?Was it when she acted as his girlfriend for a month?Or was it during that month when they were away and had to rely on each other?Honk, honk, honk! The cars behind began to honk, urging her to move.Summer snapped out of her daze, realizing that the red light had turned green. She quickly pressed on the gas pedal.Cars on the road bustled about.In a private room of a fine dining restaurant, Aurum sat in his seat, quietly awaiting Gale's arrival.The atmosphere was quiet and elegant, and the air smelled of perfume.There were footsteps approaching the door. Aurum eagerly looked toward the door. Gale walked in with a smile, carrying a cake and a beautifully wrapped bag."Happy birthday! Sorry for making you wait. I had to grab the cake, and traffic was a bit heavy, so I'm a few minutes late." She grinned. Aurum stood up and walked toward her,
Gale immediately understood. "Ah, two of us are just as well too," Gale immediately said to smooth things over. "I realize I've never celebrated with you. Having a quiet birthday is also a special memory!" "Yeah, this will be the most unforgettable birthday for me." Gale felt his words were laden with deeper meaning. However, she brushed off her own thoughts, thinking she was being too sensitive."Come on, make a wish, blow out the candles." Gale looked at the waiter and said, "Excuse me, can you bring out the cake for me?" "Of course, madam." The waiter was about to step forward when Aurum said, "No need, I'll handle it. You can go outside." "Yes, sir. I'll be right outside. Just ring if you need anything." Gale watched as the waiter walked out. She felt the waiter could have stayed. Otherwise, she felt being alone with Aurum was a little uncomfortable. She did not come here to retaliate against Shawn and go on a date with Aurum. She really came to celebrate Aurum's birth