CHAPTER 170


    After sitting for a while, Gilbert nced at his watch and stood up. “I gotta run. Got someone


    waiting.”


    “Leaving so soon?”


    “Yeah, got a date,” Gilbert replied, getting up.


    Yates smirked, teasing, “Caroline, huh?”


    “It’splicated.” Suddenly, Gilbert’s expression turned grim, and he shifted his gaze to Derek, who


    was eagerly watching the drama unfold.


    His expression was more solemn than ever.


    “I’m only going to say this once,” Gilbert began, his voice firm. “Caroline is my sister–inw, and


    that’s all. I don’t want to hear any more jokes about her and me. Got it?”


    That was unexpected. Why was Gilbert so serious about it all of a sudden? Hadn’t they been joking


    about it for years? But Gilbert had never reacted this strongly.


    Yates and Derek could tell he meant business. If they pushed it, things would


    turn sour.


    “Alright, got it.”


    “Sure thing.”


    “Yeah.”


    Satisfied, Gilbert’s demeanor lightened. “I’m off then.”


    “Hey, who’s the luckydy? You’ve got a girlfriend?”


    “Bring her around sometime!”


    “Yeah, introduce us!”


    With his back to them, Gilbert waved his hand dismissively. “Maybe, we’ll see!” “Got yourself a girl,


    huh?”


    13:55


    “No wonder he doesn’t want us joking anymore. He must be really into this girl…”


    Edgar nursed his drink in the corner, tilting his head back to take a swig.


    When the knock came, Sherilyn was browsing job listings on her phone. She had just lost her job at


    Neon Nights Bar and needed to find something new fast.


    “Who’s it?” Hearing the knock, she set her phone down and hurried to answer the door.


    A long leg stepped in first as Gilbert walked in, holding a bag in one hand and tossing his zer


    over his arm to Sherilyn.


    Caught off guard, Sherilyn clumsily caught the zer. Gilbert had shown up again!


    He walked straight in, cing the bag on the table.


    The table was the focal point of Sherilyn’s studio apartment, serving multiple purposes like dining,


    reading, and even as a makeshift vanity.


    “Come here.” As Gilbert unpacked the bag, he chatted, “Didn’t go out today? What are you up to all


    alone?”


    Feeling irked but trying not to show it, Sherilyn red at him. “Nothing much, just watching TV.”


    The apartment came with an old TV provided by thendlord. She switched it on for background


    noise, but wasn’t paying attention to it.


    “TV?” Gilbert nced at the television.


    A reality show was featuring a lineup of shirtless men in swim trunks. Instantly, Gilbert’s mood


    soured. Was that what she had been watching?


    “You like this?” Gilbert narrowed his eyes, a hint of displeasure in his voice.


    Oblivious to the brewing storm, Sherilyn nodded casually. “Yeah, it’s entertaining.”


    At that moment, the TV zoomed in on one of the shirtless men, showcasing


    13:55


    his well–defined abs.


    She couldn’t help butment, “Look at those muscles.”


    Gilbert’s eyes widened with disbelief. Did she dare to admire another man’s physique and find it


    attractive? Usually, his hot temper would have led him to smash the TV right then and there. But he


    held back, not wanting to frighten Sherilyn.


    Suddenly, he reached out, gently cupping Sherilyn’s face, turning her toward him, his tone


    unpleased, “Stop watching this, okay?”


    Sherilyn blinked, pulling away from his grasp.


    Finding his hand empty, Gilbert didn’t press further. Instead, he gestured toward the table. “Sit


    down. Let’s eat.”


    “What is it?” Sherilyn looked down, puzzled.


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    “Peach pies.” Gilbert tried to hide his eagerness, unaware of how he appeared.


    Mr. Johnson was trying to win her over with a simple dessert.


    “Got this for you. Enjoy,” Gilbert said, trying to mask his enthusiasm.