Chapter 187: Chapter 193

Chapter 193 Nathan was surprised Alice was actually going through with the lawsuit, Alice found it amusing.“People should pay for their mistakes. I didn’t force Chloe to steal my stuff.”

Nathan offered a wry smile.“Even if you sue, you won’t find a good lawyer now. Why humiliate yourself?”

Jack’s voice was icy. “We’ll see in court.” He’d hired the best, a sure win.

Then, taking Alice’s hand, he said, “I’m hungry. You still Alice didn’t object and walked away with him. Nathan didn’t follow.

“When did I owe you a meal?” she asked Jack.

“The car accident,” he said.

Owe me а meal.”

Alice remembered. Jack had almost been hurt because of her, and she’d promised to treat him to dinner once he recovered.

“Oh, right,” she admitted.

“Glad you have a conscience.”

“What do you want to eat?”

Jack’s gaze locked on hers.“Anything you’re willing to agree to?” His gaze felt different. Or maybe she was imagining it; the man was a master of concealment.

Alice shrugged.“I’m broke right now. Nothing too expensive.”

“What do you usually like?”

“I heard a new private kitchen opened near campus. Supposedly good. Want to go?”

Jack nodded regally.“Private room.”

Demandng, but the man liked quiet and was a bit of a neat freak.

Alice booked a private room, and they walked there, side–by–side but a comfortable arm’s length apart.

Alice checked her navigation and realized they were off course.

Jack came up beside her.“Lost, little turtle?”

“The GPS is wrong.”

“You’re just bad at reading it. Give it here.” He took her phone, glanced around, then closed the navigation app.“Follow me.”

“You’re not using the GPS? You remember the way?”

“Remembering a route is easy. Just follow the lost lamb.”

Alice poked him in the lower back.“Don’t give me nicknames.” Little turtle, lost lamb...

Jack sucked in a breath, his eyes darkening.“Don’t “What? Ticklish?”

touch a man’s waist.”

She poked him again. Jack caught her hand.“Any more of that, and you’ll be held responsible.”

55.0%

Chapter 194 Menur She met his deep gaze, then lowered her head. “I wasn’t touching, just poking.” Her voice trailed off.

Jack released her hand and continued walking, but his composure was gone. Alice followed, rounding a corner to arrive at the private kitchen.

Once in their private room, the owner greeted them.“We’re busy tonight, I apologize for any inconvenience. Please have a look at the menu.”

Jack sat down without taking the menu, looking at Alice instead. The owner then offered it to Alice. “Your boyfriend is SO thoughtful, letting you order. I’m swamped!”

Before Alice could explain, the owner left. She looked at him.“What do you want?” “Whatever you’re having.”

Alice, knowing his preferences, ordered several dishes, including some specialties. Silence fell over the private room.

Alice felt Jack’s gaze on her constantly. She looked up, meeting his eyes. They held each other’s gaze, neither speaking, until he rotated the table to adjust her chopsticks and bowl. His knuckles were strong, and his every move was elegant.

“What are you looking at?”

He set the bowl and chopsticks in front of her. Alice tilted her head.“You’re so handsome, I can’t help but look.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Is that your way of insulting me?”

“No, you’re really good–looking,” she said.

“My type?”

Alice’s chopsticks clattered to the floor. She fumbled to pick them up, feeling flustered. Had he noticed something? Or was he being playful?

Jack picked up the chopsticks, replacing them with his own, then got a new pair for her, warming them again. She didn’t answer his question, and he didn’t press it, as if he’d never said anything. Jack watched her play with her phone. He admitted to himself he’d been deliberately teasing her. She was too close to John Wilson.

Just as he was about to speak, the server arrived with their food.

Alice, suddenly ravenous, attacked the food. Jack watched her eat, saying nothing, but noticing she’d ordered according to his preferences.

They ate in comfortable silence.

Once Alice was full, she relaxed, her mood greatly improved. She noticed Jack had already finished. He was looking at her, his gaze calm and steady.

She felt a little self–conscious.“Why are you looking at me?” She wiped her mouth, though it was clean.

Jack’s hand rested on the table.“Feeling better?”

“Much better.”

can answer your question about John Wilson.”

Alice’s hand paused. She looked at Jack, her gaze hopeful but also apprehensive.

55.0%

Chapter 193 Jack glanced at her expression.“His family, especially his mother, has always disapproved of his gaming. If anyone could make him quit, it would be his mother.” He’d never even considered making John Wilson quit!

Alice was stunned. John Wilson’s mother? The wealthy Mrs. Wilson? It was probably a wrong guess.

“Disappointed?” Jack caught the clear disappointment on her face.

Alice shook her head.“No, it’s getting late. Let’s go.”

Jack stood, his gaze lingering on her.“You’re that determined to win?”

“Even if I wanted to win badly, I wouldn’t use those tactics.” Jack agreed, but Alice’s question still felt strange. He didn’t press her further.

At the counter, Jack scanned to pay.

Alice protested.“Didn’t we agree I was paying?”

“You’re paying. I’m settling the bill,” Jack said, unfazed.

The owner smiled.“The boyfriend should pay, naturally.” A handsome couple, she thought.

Jack paid without expression. Alice turned to the owner, but then someone called her name.“Alice, is that you?”

Chloe walked in, eyes darting between the two.

She said, with a triumphant smirk, “You’re on a date and chose this... dive? So cheap! My boyfriend, Garrett Yates, is taking me to Pear Garden. Only high–rollers eat there. It costs ten million just to join the membership program.”

Alice blinked. Pear Garden? That sounded familiar.

She glanced at Jack.