Jasper had barely made it to the doorway when Stirling''s sudden outburst nearly sent him stumbling.


    "Whoa, you A-listers really have no shame, huh? Crashing my dinner party now?"


    Stirling grabbed his jacket that was casually thrown over a chair. "Cut the crap, I''m paying. Are you in or out?"


    Jasper, trying to hide his amusement, said, "Sure, I''ve reserved a spot at The Frost Bistro, $4,800 a seat. Lucky for you, you''ve been randomly


    selected as our honored guest!"


    "Ah, to think an award-winning actor is stooping to snatching opportunities from others, tsk tsk."


    The more he talked, the more Stirling felt his pride being pricked! Better to clear this up face to faceter!


    In the restaurant''s private dining room. The room was elegantly decorated, with a small stream flowing outside the window, and a professional


    guitarist strumming tunes on the restaurant''s bridge.


    Yasbel took off her sunsses and immediately spotted Stirling sitting next to Jasper upon entering the roam. She rolled her eyes and found a seat.


    Stirling, feeling a bit awkward, decided to clear the air about the whole mix-up. Yasbel casually said, "For my bro''s sake, I''ll let it slide this time."


    She knew what Stirling was like and understood his character. She was just a bit peeved, that''s all!


    "As for the Azure endorsement... if you''re really up for thepetition, it''s probably going to be yours. After all, Master Azure really admires you.”


    After all, that was her bro''s business. If Stirling wasn''t chosen for the endorsement, her bro might just slice him up for a barbecue!


    Stirling was puzzled. "I haven''t even met Master Azure. Heard he was at a fashion show recently, shame I missed him.”


    How could a designer he''s never met choose him as the face of the brand?


    Yasbel''s smile was full of intrigue. "How about we make a bet? If you really get picked, you owe me one! Consider it interest for this time!"


    Getting Azure''s endorsement would be a win-win for Stirling. It wasn''t just because of Master Azure''s fashion influence. Stirling''s agent wouldn''t be so.


    eager otherwise!


    "Fine, I agree. Whether or not I get Master Azure''s endorsement. as long as it''s within my power and doesn''t involve meeting Jasper, I''m in.”


    The implication was clear: as long as it wasn''t illegal, Stirling would agree to anything.


    Yasbel''s smile brightened. Jasper shuddered, feeling a weird vibe in the air..


    "Yasbel, not going for the Azure endorsement yourself?”


    Every actress in the industry must be dying for it, right?


    Yasbel stated proudly, "Not me. If I did it, I wouldn''t earn a dime. No way.”


    She wouldn''t let her family''spany squeeze thest drop of value out of her!


    Jasper was amazed. "It''s the first time I''ve seen someone not interested in an Azure endorsement. Yasbel, you''re something else!”


    Yasbel just shrugged. Why would she, a major shareholder, use her own money to endorse herself? Only a fool would do that!


    At the Rising Glory Group, in the downstairs café. Darcy sat in the café, sipping ss after ss of ice water. The ice cubes chilled her down, helping


    to calm her restless heart.


    Yet, as the night fell and the windows darkened, the person she was waiting for never showed.


    The server gently notified her, "Ma''am, we''re closing soon. You''re wee to sit on the outside chairs if you need.”


    "Thank you.” she replied.


    Stepping out of the café, Darcy spotted a man leaving the Rising Glory Group building. He was bathed in the warm glow of the building''s lights, his


    presence as serene and open as moonlight.


    A fashionably dressed woman was with him, holding a delicate basket, chatting with Beckett. The woman, dressed in a soft blue floral dress, looked


    up at Beckett


    "Mr. Schnabel, Sienna told me you were workingte. I hope my visit isn''t too much of a bother?”


    Beckett''s nce fleetingly passed


    over Darcy, standing by the roadside,


    his expression cool and distant.


    "Millie-t''m not sure what my mother


    told-you, but I''m sorry you came all


    this: way for nothing.” Content


    bélongs to  ~


    Millie Gagher,ing from a family just as prestigious as the Schnabels, represented a potential alliance that both families would benefit from


    significantly.


    Politely, Milliexsffered the basket she


    was carryingf Mr. Schnabel


    doesn''t mind, I''d like to at least be ->


    friends. 1 Fhis i is something my mom


    and I made. Sienna was there when


    we talked about you, and she


    suggested bring this mealkit over."


    Beckett, finding it hard to refuse now, epted the basket. His eyes lingered on Darcy, apologizing. “Sorry, I have ns tonight. Let me take you out


    for dinner another time."


    Millie noticed Beckett''s attention was elsewhere and followed his gaze to Darcy, holding a bouquet of flowers.


    "


    tseems youyRave a date, I''m the


    one intruding I came ina rush


    because my family was pressuring?


    me. Maybe aspensation formy


    wastedtrip, Mr. Schnabel, you Could


    eee deal with my family.next


    2’ _ S


    Manovel on


    a


    ss


    She suggested, half-joking, "No need for any emotional investment. just apany me to a few dinner parties.”


    Beckett tactfully declined Millie''s proposition. "Millie, I prefer not to engage in actions that might be misinterpreted, even if it''s just to appease family


    expectations.”


    Millie was left somewhat taken aback. "Mr. Schnabel. a businessman through and through, would really let emotions sway him from a mutually


    beneficial deal?"


    "Of course not. So, as apromise, I''ve got two single brothers, both Schnabels through and through. Millie can take her pick.”


    The Schnabel kids are truly the cream of the crop. Either one would be a boon for the Gagher family''s ventures.


    Millie agreed promptly. "Deal."All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    "But whether they''ll agree to it, that''s not on me.”


    "If I get turned down by a Schnabel again, I might just have to book a trip to South Korea for a little... facial rejuvenation. But since Mr. Schnabel won''t


    y ball, then...”


    Millie''s eyes sparkled mischievously as she reimed the lunch box from Beckett''s hands. "This shouldn''t go to waste. It''ll just have to go to the next


    Mr. Schnabel!”


    “Of course.”


    This was the first time Beckett had ever experienced someone taking back a gift... Millie, a born merchant indeed!


    After wrapping up with Millie, Beckett strode towards Darcy. He approached. slipping off his suit jacket to drape it over Darcy''s shoulders.


    "Sorry for the wait. Got tied up with a few extra international meetings. Thought you might have left."


    Feeling theforting, familiar scent that was distinctly Beckett, Darcy shook her head. "If we agreed to meet. I wouldn''t leave."


    Beckett chuckled softly, almost inaudibly. "Is that so? I thought maybe... you wouldn''t care much for promises."


    "Or perhaps, it''s the promises you care about, and what you don''t care about... is me?"