Victor acknowledged her instructions.

Once outside, Nicole escorted Raegan to the parking lot before heading elsewhere.

Nicole's vehicle halted outside a restaurant.

As she entered, Nicole didn't notice a man who brushed past and glanced back at her.

Nicole proceeded to a chamber and opened the door.

The man trailing Nicole peeked through the door's slit, catching sight of a guy inside with a distinct profile.

After Nicole shut the door, the man retrieved his phone to make a call. "Mr. Schultz, I've located Miss Lawrence."

A pause filled the other end of the line.

Then, with a clenched jaw, Alec announced, “She's dining with another man."

In the secluded chamber, a man sat at the head of the table. He wore a white shirt, its crisp collar neatly encircling his pronounced Adam's apple, subtly highlighted by the placement of the buttons. His cool, detached demeanor was softened by a strict, almost ascetic discipline. His good looks were flawless and untouched.

As Nicole entered, the distance in his demeanor disappeared without a hint. A warm smile brightened his perfect face.

"Nicole," he greeted, taking the coat she had just removed and hanging it with care.

“Have you been waiting long?" Nicole asked.

"Not in the slightest. I just got here myself," Roscoe replied.

Once they had taken their seats, Roscoe gestured for the meal to start. The food was served promptly, and they started chatting lightly over the meal.

Nicole, having a particular liking for deep-sea fish, took an extra two pieces, drawn not by the taste but by their soft, tender texture.

Roscoe, noticing this, switched her plate for one with stomach-friendly vegetables, gently reprimanding, "Nicole, you shouldn't be picky on foods. Eat these first, then you can have another piece of fish."

Since Nicole's surgery, Roscoe had been encouraging her to eat various nutritional foods. He knew that denying her the foods she liked would only lessen both her mood and her appetite.

Nicole dutifully ate the vegetables, despite their lack of flavor, finishing every bite.

Roscoe smiled and suggested, “Nicole, perhaps you should consider placing your company under the auspices of my uncle's firm. It operates in a sector of Ardlens that often goes unnoticed."