?Chapter 1042:

    Memories of their tense dinner encounterst time shed through Darwin’s mind, but he forced a polite smile and epted the handshake anyway.

    Before Darwin could make small talk, Ethan got straight to the point. “I should let you know, Mr. Atkinson, Brenna and I have reconciled. We’re together now, so I’d appreciate it if you stopped pursuing her.”

    Darwin met Ethan’s eyes, refusing to give up. “Mr. Mitchell, as long as Brenna isn’t married, I have the right to pursue her. I mean, who wouldn’t admire someone like her?”

    He wasn’t going to give up easily.

    In fact, he quietly believed he was the better match for Brenna, far more suited to her than Ethan could ever be.

    Gracie walked over, and Waldo trailed behind, his eyes glued to her from behind. No matter where she went, he stuck close, making her feel increasingly ufortable.

    “Ethan, Mr. Atkinson does have a point. Since Miss Harper isn’t married yet, anyone can pursue her,” Gracie’s words carried a message of her own, reminding Ethan that she had every right to pursue him until he was married.

    Ethan’s opinion of Darwin had dropped to its lowest point.

    Soon, Ernst and Lilith approached, and Ernst suggested, “It’s gettingte. Why don’t we all grab something to eat?”

    He turned to Brenna. “Would you prefer for Ethan to take you home, or should I drive you instead?”

    Waldo raised an eyebrow. “Why would you want to drive her home?”

    Ernstughed. “Brenna’s my sister. She went missing when she was little, and we just reunited recently.”

    Waldo’s expression shifted in realization. “That exins a lot. No wonder Miss Harper stands out the way she does. Mr. Mitchell clearly values her. She’s the daughter of the Harper family.”

    “Allow me to formally introduce myself.” Waldo pulled a business card from his jacket and offered it to Brenna with both hands. Out of politeness, and seeing how respectfully Ernst treated Waldo, Brenna took it.

    Waldo then extended his hand for a handshake, his face beaming with a smile that made it hard to refuse.

    Not wanting to touch him, Brenna reached for Ethan’s hand instead. “I’m starving. Let’s go find something to eat now.”

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    To ease the awkwardness, Ernst shook hands with Waldo. “She’s always been pampered. Don’t take her gesture to heart.”

    Waldoughed with gusto. “That’s alright. She’s young, being a little spoiled and shy is only natural. You should help her get used to these kinds of gatherings, Mr. Harper.”

    They ended up picking a nearby restaurant and settling at a table for dinner. Brenna naturally took the seat beside Ethan, while Gracie quickly imed the chair on his other side.

    Waldo sat down beside Gracie, which immediately made her ufortable. She nced around the table, clearly looking for a different spot.

    The table was a wide round one, built to seat tenfortably. Gracie noticed an open spot between Lilith and Darwin and quietly shifted to that seat. Waldo quickly realized that Gracie was intentionally distancing herself from him. Even in her current situation, she carried herself with an air of coldness that irritated him. It only made him more determined to win her over.

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