"No need, I've already eaten. But thank you," Veronica replied politely.

In all honesty, Edric's heartfelt confession had touched something within her. The sincerity in his voice, the carefully chosen words—it was genuinely moving. But...

She had answered his call with one clear purpose: to end any possibility before it could truly begin.

Taking a deep breath, she spoke with gentle firmness, "I truly appreciate your feelings for me, Edric. But as you mentioned yourself, I'm not in a place to start something new right now. I'm sorry, and please don't hold onto hope for me."

She noticed Edric's slight intake of breath, as if preparing to counter her rejection, but she quickly pressed the end call button before he could speak. Finality was kinder than prolonged uncertainty.

Standing motionless with her phone still clutched in her hand, Veronica felt the weight of conflicting emotions press down on her. After several moments, a resigned smile crossed her lips as she turned to head back to the private dining room. She'd been absent longer than intended.

Dario had been burning with curiosity since figuring out Edric was on the line. The extended duration of the call only intensified his questions about their relationship.

The moment Veronica slid back into her seat, he leaned close, voice lowered. "So what's actually going on between you and Edric?"

Veronica took a slow sip of her lemon water, her expression carefully neutral. "Nothing worth discussing."

Dario caught the subtle hint. "Not the right place to talk? I'll interrogate you properly later."

Veronica remained silent, neither confirming nor denying his assumption.

Across the table, Lester appeared even more agitated than Dario. During Veronica's absence, he'd messaged a mutual friend, discreetly requesting information about Edric. Being part of the same elite social circle meant his contact knew Edric well enough to provide immediate background details.

Just as Veronica reentered the room, a new message arrived: "Why the sudden interest in Edric?"

Distracted from overhearing Veronica's conversation with Dario, Lester quickly typed back, "Nothing important."

Cullen's eyes also tracked Veronica's return, but after a brief assessment, he simply smiled and resumed his conversation with the others at the table.

Veronica paid little attention to either Cullen or Lester's watchful gazes. After briefly addressing Dario's curiosity, she returned her focus to Gareth and the ongoing business discussion.

A short while later, Gareth, seated beside Cullen, encountered a professional question he wanted Veronica's opinion on. She moved across to join them.

Just as she approached, Cullen was engrossed in typing a message on his phone. Gareth stood to offer Veronica his seat, accidentally bumping Cullen's arm in the process. The phone clattered to the floor.

Acting instinctively, Veronica bent to retrieve it, turning to hand it back to who she assumed was Gareth. That's when she caught an unmistakable glimpse of the screen—a conversation with Niall displayed clearly.

It was Cullen's phone.

Realizing this, she immediately averted her eyes and moved to place it on the table instead. But Cullen had already extended his hand, saying, "That's mine. Thanks."

She passed it to him without comment and settled into the seat beside Gareth.

Twenty minutes later, their lunch meeting finally concluded. Veronica stood, preparing to leave with the others.

As their group exited the private room, the door to the room across the hallway opened simultaneously.

Dario couldn't resist leaning toward Veronica, whispering, "Quite the coincidence, isn't it? I'd bet good money this was coordinated."

He was implying that Cullen and Niall had planned this "accidental" encounter.

Veronica recalled the glimpse of Cullen's message thread earlier. Dario was right—it had been deliberately orchestrated.

Lester quickly maneuvered to walk beside her.

Noticing his sudden presence, Veronica glanced at him. "Did you need something?"

Having long realized she remained oblivious to his feelings, Lester had initially planned a patient approach. But witnessing today's developments made him reconsider his timeline. Still, this crowded hallway wasn't the place for such a conversation.

"It's nothing," he answered, staying close beside her.

Cullen observed Lester's protective positioning near Veronica, assessed the situation briefly, then deliberately turned his attention to Niall, who had just emerged from the opposite dining room.

Veronica and Dario made no effort to acknowledge the Mack or Crystal family members. They had zero interest in witnessing any display of closeness between Cullen and Niall.

They walked past without pausing.

Downstairs, after concluding some business matters, Cullen and Niall departed together in the same car.

As they drove away, Jade remarked thoughtfully, "That girl—wasn't she with Dario earlier? And the Martin heir was hovering around her too, wasn't he?"

She paused meaningfully before continuing, "If something develops between them, it will certainly complicate her friendship with Dario, don't you think?"

The Crystal family was well-informed about Niall and Lester's previous relationship. They had fully supported Niall's decision to choose Cullen instead.

After all, when compared to Lester, Cullen had proven himself more accomplished in his career and had demonstrated greater willingness to prioritize Niall's happiness above his own.