bOn /bthe fourth floor of the mall, Sana sat across from her blind date, Max Allen, bored to death as she listened to his endless Brapping.

    b“/bTown three properties, my monthly ie is almost six figures, and I’ve dabbled in some investments. Sure, I’m not exactly Warren Buffett, GOLEM close,” he boasted shamelessly.

    He added confidently, “If you’re willing to marry me, I’d be happy to support you financially after

    tie the knot.

    “Oh, by the way, my mom really wants a grandson. If we get married, I expect us to have our first child within a year. And if it’s a girl, we should try for a second one the following year.

    “Not that I prefer sons over daughters, but my parents still have that mindset, you know? My mom sacrificed a lot raising me when she was youngb, /bbso/bb! /bcan’t let her down. You understand, right?”

    At this, Sana suddenly perked up. She mmed her palm on the table and dered, “Absolutely not. Mr. Allen, I don’t think we’re a good match at ball /b

    ‘Hurry up and scram. You look decent enough, but underneath, you’re just another mama’s boy acting like you’ve got some royal throne waiting bat /bhome. I’ve had enough of this nonsense,‘ she thought furiously.

    Max leaned forward and asked, “What do you mean? I think you’re a perfect fit. As for your different views, that’s no big deal. After we get married, bmy /bmom will properly teach you.

    “Just learn well, and you’ll graduallye to understand how things work in my family. Take your time. I’m patient, and I can wait for you.”

    Sana took a deep breath, barely keeping herself from explodin

    Wesley cut her off. “She doesn’t need you waiting for her.”

    “I won’t-”

    He had just walked into the restaurant and heard those words. His expression turned thunderous in an instant. Striding forward, he mmed a hand

    down on Max’s shoulder.

    “Who the hell are you?” Max snapped, boiling over with rage as Wesley pinned him down.

    Wesley nced at Sana, who was clearly fuming. With a quick smirk, a lie rolled right off his tongue.

    “I’m pursuing her. If she chooses to be with me, she won’t be pressured to bear sons, won’t have to deal with any mother–inw drama, and she’ll get to manage every cent of my earnings.

    “With an offer like mine, do you really think she’d even nce your way?

    Cornered by Wesley’s words, Max’s face turned a furious shade of red. He opened his mouth to argue but couldn’t find a single coherent retort.

    After a long, awkward pause, he finally blurted out, “So what if you treat her well? In the end, she still doesn’t want you. That’s why she’s here on a date with me.”

    Hearing this, Wesley lifted his gazezily, utterly unfazed. “That’s fine, I don’t mind say? I’m justpletely in love with her.”

    at

    all. As long as she isn’t married, I’ll keep pursuing her. What can

    He gazed tenderly at Sana, his eyes brimming with such genuine affection that it seemed he

    truly harbored deep devotion for her.

    Sana felt her cheeks heat up. She ducked her head immediately, too flustered to look at him again.

    Noticing this, Max’s expression twisted into something downright ugly. He shoved his chair back with a loud scrape, shot them both a furious

    stormed out without another word.

    Wesley stepped aside calmly, letting him pass without so much as a nce.

    b1/2 /b

    band /b

    bChapter /bb417 /b

    bUgh/b, this whois date was a disaster, and then bhe /bbhad /bbto /bbswoop /bin band /bbsave /bbme/b. bNow /bbwhat /bam I even bsupplead /bbto /bsay to him? MaCHRI bthat /bbguy /bI can always ditch him bonce /bwe’re downstairs,‘ bshe /bthought, flustered and desperate to escape

    But she bhad /bbarely taken a step when Wesley grabbed her arm and pulled her firmly back. b“/bWhere do you think you’re going seriously, dan kali na you’re bactually /binto him?” he asked solemnly.

    “What’s it to you?” San? snapped, crossing her arms defensively. Furious, she thought, Who does he think he is? What right does he have bto /binterture with my blind date?‘

    “Of course it’s my business!” Wesley shot back, his tone sharp with righteous conviction. “Even if we ignore everything else, you’re still bmy /bbjunior /bband /bmy friend. I can’t just stand by and watch you throw yourself into a pit.”

    When he’d first rushed over, he really had only intended to check in, to make sure she wasn’t getting hurt. If she had actually met someone truly bgood /bfor her, he would have stepped back willingly.

    bAD /b