CHAPTER 124: DINNER DATE WITH SAMUEL

Drake let out a helpless sigh, plucked a grape from the table, and took a delicate bite.

He clapped Lucas on the shoulder.

"So, what are you planning to do about Beauty?

You’re not seriously going to make her Mrs. Marson, are you?"

Lucas rose to his feet, a smirk playing on his lips.

"She’s already mine.

I have to take responsibility for her."

Drake spat out his tea in shock, hastily grabbing a handkerchief from his bag to wipe his face.

His eyes nearly popped out of his head as he gaped at Lucas.

"Wait—are you for real? Did I hear that right?

The great Lucas actually wants to take responsibility for a woman?

Ever since Amelia left, you’ve been living like a monk!

Countless women have thrown themselves at you, and even when you were wasted, you never so much as touched one.

And now, out of the blue, you’re ready to commit?

I thought you’d stay celibate for the rest of your life, but some little girl has you wrapped around her finger just like that?"

The sheer disbelief on Drake’s face irked Lucas, who promptly snatched a grape from the fruit bowl and hurled it at him.

Drake caught it midair and took a bite.

"By the way," Drake continued, wiping his mouth, "remember that designer you asked me to look into?

I’ve got a lead.

She’s Samantha’s junior from college—an international student who’s returning to New York to build her career.

Studied design in Paris and worked for a luxury brand there.

You’ll love her.

I’ve set up an interview at this Corp tomorrow.

How’s that for reliability?"

He gave Lucas’s arm a hearty slap, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

Though Drake often seemed unreliable, he always delivered when it mattered.

That was why Lucas trusted him with such tasks—he knew exactly what he needed.

That was the unspoken understanding between them. ---

Ever since Lucas had played her, Beauty had been in a foul mood all day, her mind too distracted to focus.

Every object she touched seemed to morph into that smug bastard’s face, making her want to punch something.

Then, her phone buzzed with a message from Samuel, someone she hadn’t heard from in ages.

He wanted to meet for dinner after work at a restaurant near the office.

After so long without contact, the sudden invitation felt awkward.

She was about to make an excuse when another text popped up: *"Please give me a chance to apologize.

Don’t say no."

Seems this senior knew her too well—he’d backed her into a corner.

Reluctantly, she typed out a *"Sure!"* and hit send before stuffing her phone back into her pocket.

She remained in a daze until the end of the workday.

Fortunately, Lucas wasn’t in the office, so no one was keeping an eye on her.

She quickly packed her things and took the executive elevator downstairs.

The restaurant wasn’t far from the company, but Beauty’s emotions were tangled the entire way.

Ever since their brief encounter at Drake’s birthday party, they hadn’t had a chance to speak—until now.

Meeting him again today filled her with an uneasy feeling.

After all, she wanted nothing more than to stay far away from the mess between Laura and Samuel.

Samuel sat in the deepest corner of the restaurant.

Even though he was dressed casually, wearing a baseball cap that half-covered his face, passing girls still stole glances at him.

Beauty walked over and greeted him naturally,

"Hey, long time no see."

Samuel took off his cap, revealing slightly tousled chestnut hair.

He ran a hand through it with a lazy grin.

"Definitely been a while.

I wanted to invite you out after that last time, but Cynthia said you weren’t in New York, so I held off."

At the mention of Cynthia, Beauty’s expression stiffened for a split second before she quickly regained her composure.

"Yeah, I went back to my hometown with Lucas and just returned today.

I heard you’re about to go on tour—you must be pretty busy, huh?"

"Not too bad.

Performances have been light lately, so I’ll be staying in New York for a while.

What do you feel like eating?

I haven’t ordered yet.

My treat—order whatever you want, no need to hold back."

"Alright, then I won’t be polite."

She flashed him a small smile before turning her attention to the menu with genuine focus.

"You haven’t changed much.

Still as genuine as ever.

Not many people keep their original selves after leaving school—I envy that about you."

This time, she suddenly felt that Samuel had changed a lot.

He no longer seemed like the sunny boy she once knew.

There was always something weighing on his mind, his brow perpetually furrowed with a faint crease.

Beauty quickly summoned the waiter and placed their orders before sliding the menu across the table to Samuel with a nod, signaling it was his turn.

"Add a plate of Fried rice with Fish sauce," Samuel murmured, then flashed the waiter a gentle, warm smile.

"I’ve already ordered so much.

Do you really think we can finish all this between the two of us?"

Beauty took a sip of her lime juice, her lips curling into a soft smile as she spoke.

"It’s fine.

Just eat as much as you can.

I don’t often get the chance to treat you to a meal."

Samuel was, as always, the picture of gentlemanly elegance.

Yet, the aloof, untouchable air he had during their school days was gone, replaced by a touch of down-to-earth warmth.

"Beauty, the reason I asked to meet today is to apologize for the hurtful things I said back then—when I was young and foolish.

I’m sorry.

I hope you can forgive me."

He paused, then added, "This is for you.

I know you don’t lack anything, so I made this photo album myself.

I hope you like it."

As he spoke, he lifted a purple box from the sofa and placed it in front of her, his gaze sincere.

Beauty pressed her lips together, a faint smile playing on them.

"You really don’t have to apologize.

I let go of that a long time ago.

But I’ll accept your gift—consider it my way of saying your apology is accepted.

We’re still friends.

Besides, you weren’t wrong—I *am* with Lucas now."

Her words left Samuel silent for a beat.

A pale smile touched his lips.

"No matter what, I’ll always be on your side.

If you ever need anything, just tell me. I’ll always be your knight."

*Knight?*

It had been ages since she’d heard of such fairy-tale roles.

These days, she was the princess who fought her own battles—she didn’t need a knight.

Still, she smiled. "I can take care of myself now.

And Lucas looks out for me too.

But I appreciate the sentiment.

If I ever *do* need help, I won’t hesitate to ask."

She accepted the gift box, carefully wrapping it before setting it aside.

To her, friendship and family were the most precious things in the world—and the very things she lacked the most.